Kim Macdonald's Photo Gallery
Nangaroo Copper Mine
Skip bins lying around the Nangaroo Copper Mine. Developed by Isaac Matson in the early 1900's. At least the picture is taken from where we have marked the mine to be. Copper is a strong colouring agent, and I would have expected some trace at least of blue/green from the dregs remaining. Minor possibly herbertsmithite was located at the neighbouring Hill open pit, leading some credence we are in the right area.
Hill Mine
The mine was developed across 1906-1909 by W.C. Hill who made a fortune from the deposit. In modern times a small open pit has been developed at the site. Old tunnels can be seen in the far wall of the pit.
King Street Gold Mine
The mine was arrived at accidently when I took a wrong turn out of the tourist area, and ended up on an internal mine road. Thankfully mining activity at the site had ceased many years ago. Mining companies and authorities discourage visitors to such sites, for fear people will fall into the pit.
Geologist Camp
In the early 1900's Mount Morgan was a substantial town, and for a short time the Westralia Gold Mine next door one of the richest in the State. Now one building remains, the dated 1900 Municipal Chambers, which is available for tourists to view from the outside. The Westralia Mine is not. Conveniently, the present mining company has sited the geology camp next to the historic building, so tourists can gawk at them through the fence. Waste rock from the Westralia Mine is in the background.
Eucalyptus Gold Mine
A visit in 2021 altered the perception of this location. Visible from the road is a compact area of shafts, which operated as a minor prospector field in the early 1900's. What is further off the road was not explored. Many small nuggets were said to be found in the area. There is banded jasper nearby, but tends to only come to life when wet.
Red October Gold Mine
Butcher Well Gold Mine
Second Fortune Gold Mine
An impressive trench snakes its way between two shafts following a gold vein.
Second Fortune Gold Mine
The modern open pit was active again, or at least a company called LGA was occupying it when visited (2021). The picture is taken of workings a few hundred metres to the north on a low ridge by the Mount Celia Road. I am uncertain if the modern mine occupies the historic site, or is the one pictured. There were several shafts in a compact area, and in this photo also minor concrete foundations and a boiler.
Kangaroo Bore Gold Mine
This unmarked location was some 50 metres off the Mt Celia Road. A low ridge contained a couple of shafts, a collapsed working, and modern trench cut through the ridge by an exploration company. A track heads south-west possibly to other shafts, however was not explored for fear of encountering a drilling crew (recent wheel tracks could be seen, and the ubiquitous plastic bags of their activity).
