Queensland Menzies Gold Mine (Wedderburn), Menzies, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Queensland Menzies Gold Mine (Wedderburn)	Mine
Menzies	- not defined -
Menzies Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Said to be the second richest gold mine at Menzies after the Lady Shenton. The mine borders the Menzies town site to the west. The deposit was discovered by prospectors Sherry, Paine and Wedderburn (surnames), around 1895, who also owned the Lady Sherry lease to the north-west.

A shaft was sunk on the north-east corner of the lease on a reef. However when sinking a water shaft elsewhere on the lease, a larger richer lode was discovered.

A company was floated in Brisbane in July 1895 called the Queensland Menzies Company, who acquired the lease for 3000 pounds, 19 acres, lease No. 1435, and subsequently lease No. 3506, 16 acres, along with the Lady Sherry. After this the Wedderburn was known as the Queensland Menzies Gold Mine. The company erected a fifteen head battery and cyanide plant. The company sold the Lady Sherry lease in 1897.

An early description of this lode in the upper levels states the richest vein followed the Footwall of honey-combed quartz, containing gold and little other minerals. The main shoot was heavily charged with manganese oxides. The surrounding area to the veins contained more gold than the veins. This was explained as gold leaving galena behind in the casing giving the appearance of small rounded alluvial nuggets. Several sources state the deposits contained large amounts of galena with the gold.

August 1903, Patrick Stokes and Frank Keating died underground when explosives went off they were setting. The doctor stated their heads had been blown off. At the inquest, the jury took the unusual move of citing underground manager James McCann for his lack of knowledge of mining regulations. McCann claimed ignorance based on a lack of training when placed in the job, however he had been underground manager for a number of years. McCann and platman Friedrich Lange were charged with the deaths, an unusual move for the time, when most deaths at mines sites were determined to be accidental. The company got off scot-free.

The bank sold the mine and plant on the 26 April 1908. Creditors including suppliers were left unpaid. It shows poor company regulations at the time. Considering 92 409 pounds dividends was paid to shareholders during the life of the mine for 16 000 pounds capital raised; and the company simply went and purchased the Goodenough Mine elsewhere near Menzies, and continued operations.

The mine was purchased by Charles de Bernales as part of his West Australian Machinery Company. Some small crushings came out of the mine, but was abandoned in 1911, when they could not find the continuation of the shoot past an east-west fault. This was discovered in 1928, and became the First Hit Gold Mine during the 1930's. The fault had off-set the shoot, meaning the historic miners were looking in the wrong place.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References