Mallee Hen Mine, Ardlethan mineral field, Ardlethan, Bourke Co., New South Wales, Australiai
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Mallee Hen Mine | Mine (Abandoned) |
| Ardlethan mineral field | Mining Field (Inactive) |
| Ardlethan | Town |
| Bourke Co. | County |
| New South Wales | State |
| Australia | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
34° 30' 16'' South , 146° 52' 0'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Mine (Abandoned) - last checked 2026
Deposit first discovered:
1912 (approx.)
Köppen climate type:
Nearest Settlements:
| Place | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Kamarah | 130 (2016) | 21.3km |
| Grong Grong | 536 (2016) | 26.9km |
| Mirrool | 211 (2018) | 34.8km |
| Ganmain | 790 (2012) | 35.7km |
| Rannock | 105 (2014) | 38.7km |
An historic gold mine. The mine is approximately 18km south of Ardlethan.
Charles Frederick McLean had a clearing contact in the area. A mallee fowl was trying to distract McLean from its nest, and in the process he found a rock studded with gold specks. McLean was able to trace this to the reef, and took out the lease.
The mine was active 1912-1917, as a small operation by McLean on behalf of a Narendera syndicate. McLean, his son, brother-in-law, and three miners worked the mine. Ore was carted to Ardlethan, then railed to Wyalong for processing at Neelds battery.
There were four levels in the mine at 18.3m, 30.5m, 42.7m, and 51.9m.
An estimated 5,000 oz of gold was achieved during the period from a narrow quartz reef. In 1917 the reef petered out, and the mine closed.
A modern photo shows a small disturbed area where the shaft was, two trees, and acres of bare wheat fields.
Charles Frederick McLean had a clearing contact in the area. A mallee fowl was trying to distract McLean from its nest, and in the process he found a rock studded with gold specks. McLean was able to trace this to the reef, and took out the lease.
The mine was active 1912-1917, as a small operation by McLean on behalf of a Narendera syndicate. McLean, his son, brother-in-law, and three miners worked the mine. Ore was carted to Ardlethan, then railed to Wyalong for processing at Neelds battery.
There were four levels in the mine at 18.3m, 30.5m, 42.7m, and 51.9m.
An estimated 5,000 oz of gold was achieved during the period from a narrow quartz reef. In 1917 the reef petered out, and the mine closed.
A modern photo shows a small disturbed area where the shaft was, two trees, and acres of bare wheat fields.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.Mineral List
2 valid minerals.
Detailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ 'Limonite' |
| ⓘ Native Gold Formula: Au |
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 |
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Native Gold | 1.AA.05 | Au |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| Unclassified | |||
| ⓘ | 'Limonite' | - | |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| O | Oxygen | |
|---|---|---|
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Au | Gold | |
| Au | ⓘ Native Gold | Au |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Australia
- Lachlan OrogenOrogen
- Central NSW - Omeo ProvinceGeologic Province
Australian PlateTectonic Plate
- Lachlan Fold Belt
- Wagga-Omeo Metamorphic ComplexOrogenic Belt
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