The West Gore mine was the major producer of antimony in Canada from 1882 to 1939, and it is listed among the gold deposits of Nova Scotia. However, the last comprehensive geological report on the camp dates to 1939.

In 1883 Antimony was first discovered as float on the farm of John MacDougall. This find stimulated interest in the area and trenching was immediately begun. The first trenches were excavated across the regional strike of the underlying rock and nothing of interest was found. It was only when trenching was carried out parallel to strike that quartz veins containing antimony were discovered. In 1884 the first mining operation began with the sinking of 2 shafts approximately 36 metres apart and 53m deep in a north-westerly-trending vein which varied in width from 10 to 45 m. 

In 1889 another shaft was sunk on a parallel lead 400 m to the southwest, a third shaft was sunk on the main lead and one of the existing shafts on the main lead was deepened to 73 metres. In 1892 the auriferous nature of the ore was discovered, adding great value to the ore.

The mine was closed down in 1900 and reopened in 1903 when the Dominion Antimony Company was formed. At this time mining was seriously undertaken, the first two shafts on the main lead were deepened to 131 and 85 metres respectively, and the third shaft was deepened to 55 metres. This new era of high production lasted until 1908 at which time a concentrating mill was completed and operated for a short while. During 1908 there were problems concerning ownership of the mine and as a result of litigation proceedings the mine was shutdown.