Golconda Gold Mine, The Island Goldfield (Austin), Cue Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Golconda Gold Mine	Mine
The Island Goldfield (Austin)	Ore Field
Cue Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

There are several mines in Australia that run by this name, in turn probably named after famous mines overseas, as a marketing exercise for company flotations. The mine in this goldfield is located on The Island section of the goldfield, adjoining the Island Eureka Gold Mine.

The original deposit was discovered in 1892 by Bails, Caws and party. By 1894, the deposit had produced 2076 oz, and over the next fourteen months 1230 tonnes of ore for 2091 oz.

In 1894, the Golconda Gold Mining Company was floated in London. The company raised 75 000 pounds capital, and paid to the original prospectors 5000 pounds in cash, 25 000 pounds in shares or cash at the director's discretion, 25 000 pounds in shares, and 10 000 pounds in gross yield of the mine. It was a substantial sum for the time.

Two leases were initially purchased totalling 18 acres, being the Golconda Mine and Golconda Extended. Further, a year later the Scottish Chief, Golconda South, and Golconda South Extended leases were purchased making a grand total of 51 acres. Sometime later the Evening Star lease was also purchased.

Much machinery was imported from overseas and erected at the site. Most of the gold was found where the quartz veins meet the BIF, which is typical of the field.

A Mr Benson was mine manager from 1894 to 1898. Mining started in 1895, but quickly ground to a halt with a heavy inflow of water, and inadequate pumping equipment. Then late 1896, while installing new pumping equipment, the underground manager, Phillip Sloggett, fell to his death in the main shaft. The pumping equipment followed him, was severely damaged, and operations ceased again.

A shareholder revolt in 1898, resulted in a committee being appointed to oversee the board of directors. The company reported gold reserves in the mine to be running out at depth. It limped along until 1902, when the last crushing report was found. To this point the mine had produced 10 139 tonnes of ore for 19 695.77 oz, and a further 270 oz alluvial.

In 1934, the New Golconda Gold Mining Company was floated in Perth, with the aim of purchasing the old Golconda lease, and part of the Island Eureka lease. Its flotation was based on a report by P. Lavater . The old shafts had been un-timbered, were unsafe and full of water. They could not be accessed. His report relied largely on historic crushing figures, but was silent about the demise of the old company 30 years before when the ore reserves ran out. The report was insufficient, but it didn't stop people from investing, and development proceeded.

The company purchased for 10 000 pounds 83 acres, which included the leases mentioned above, and also the Chicago Shamrock lease and Ironclad South lease.

Arthur Walker was appointed mine manager. He was the late owner of the Island Eureka Mine. The battery and mining equipment was purchased also from this mine. Engine driver, Gordon Bickerton in 1935 was sentenced to 3 months jail for stealing gold specimen stone from the mine.

By 1937, the company had produced 25 000 tonnes of ore for only 860 oz. By 1938, there were gloomy shareholder meetings. Dr F.A. Moss had produced a report commissioned by the company, stating in short, the company would continue operating at a loss if it continued.

No new lodes were found at depth in the Golconda and Eureka leases. They had also developed the neighbouring Hevron and Baxter leases with a similar result. The company was running at a loss at 4900 pounds for 1937/38 financial year.

Mining was suspended, and the mine let on tribute to former mine manager W.V. Porter. He crushed 200 tonnes, but mining quickly again ground to a halt.

Meanwhile, New Golconda had dismantled the battery, and stored the machinery away, which was eventually sold in 1942. Rather than liquidating the company, it searched for other opportunities,and until 1946 sought options over the Saturn Mine and Myers Mine at Boogardie, Iron Duke at Coolgardie,and a Norseman prospecting lease, all without any success. The company was liquidated in 1949.

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