Flag Mine (Red White and Blue), Kundip, Ravensthorpe Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Flag Mine (Red White and Blue)	Mine
Kundip	- not defined -
Ravensthorpe Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The mine probably started in 1901, as by 1902 it was reported the site had a five head battery and wilfley table. The main shaft at this time was down to 31 metres, with a drive at 15 metres down extending 13 metres, showing 8% copper and 5dwt gold. The surface outcrop could be traced for 60 metres.

It was owned by a Melbourne syndicate, but it appears mining quickly ground to a halt, as between 1904-1906 it was let out to tributors. In 1907 the Flag Gold and Copper Company was floated in Perth to take over operations at the mine. The same year a ten head battery was erected by the Bartlett brothers who then took out a twelve month lease over its operation.

In 1907 the name of the mine changed from Red White and Blue to the Flag Mine.

At this time the main shaft was down to 70 metres, with a battery, winding winch, pumping/hauling plant and boilers. The ore was described as ironstone with high gold values. The report states a perculiar feature of this lode is quartz which occurs in the footwall side of the reef with very high values of free loose gold.

The floating of the company was not successful as by 1910 it lacked capital to operate the mine, and invest in new machinery. The mine and machinery was sold at auction in 1911 to Walter Dunn for 3500 pounds. His intention was to raise capital in London to develop the mine, but this was also unsuccessful.

The mine manager was Charles Grant, who then took over as tributor with Edwards. They operated the mine continuously till 1922.

In 1932, the Beryl Gold Mines Ltd purchased a number of leases on the Kundip field, including Flag. Number 2 drill sunk a shaft 90 metres deep. Some gold and copper was found, but after much hype by flamboyant promoter Charles de Bernales, they had to abandon the field in 1936 after little was found.

In September 1914, it was reported in the local press that a block of copper from the mine was on display at Mr Schidt's warehouse window, Hay St, Perth. Taken from the 30 metre level, it was 0.30 metres long and 0.15 metres high, with 34% copper and 50% gold. The specimen was showing malachite and red oxide copper.

The mineralised zone is 335 metres long, striking east, dipping 45-55 degrees south, 0.5-3.7 metres wide, with ore shoots up to 30 metres long, plunging west. While the mine reached a depth of 91 metres, most work was done in the shallower oxidised areas above the water table at 31 metres from the surface. Mineralisation at depth was pyrite in quartz, minor chalcopyrite, with bornite found near the water table. Copper mine with minor gold and silver.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References