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

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

As the name suggests, this mine is part of 'The Island' section of the goldfield, and adjoins the Golconda Mine to the west.

Little information was found about the location for the early to mid 1890's, other than in 1895 the lease had three shafts. There are also reports of rich specimen stone being found in the same year. The Island Eureka Gold Mining Company was formed in Adelaide in 1897, with a first trial parcel submitted for crushing in June 1897. From this point to 1905, the mine produced monthly crushings of a few hundred tonnes each, with ounces also amounting to a few hundred each time. The mine progressed with a minimum of fuss.

The company was mining a white quartz reef that was in contact with a quartzite bar in the upper levels but separated further down. This always means on this goldfield, the gold grades were appreciably lower at depth. The reef ran north-east, was 4 to 7 feet wide, and dips steeply westwards. In 1902 the main shaft was down to 315 feet, with 250, 175 and 150 feet levels. By the end of 1902, the mine had produced 8 775.20 tonnes of ore for 14 420.21 oz, yielding 10.5 dwt/t.

In 1905, a shareholder meeting detailed how all the gold had been found above the 250 foot level, and little gold could be found below this. As such the mine shared a similar fate to the Golconda, the same lode shared between the two mines. An exemption was applied for, all employees were laid off, and plant/machinery was sold.

In the early 1930's, the mine was owned by Arthur Walker, who found much gold in the upper levels missed during the initial mining period. Walker sold the mine in July 1934 to a Perth syndicate, and Arthur moved down to Perth with his wife, living in the upmarket suburb of Nedlands. The syndicate was called the Lake Austin Eureka Company. A ten head battery was erected, and some mining took place in the Ironclad open pit, a neighbouring lease. They also owned the Eureka and Island Queen leases. The lease, battery and machinery was then sold to the Golconda mine.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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