Viola Gold Mine, Yerilla Goldfield, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Viola Gold Mine	Mine
Yerilla Goldfield	Ore Field
Menzies Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The Viola Gold Mine was at the southern end of the main goldfield area on its name-sake lode. Historically thought to be an extension of the nearby lode at the Yerilla King mine, although a modern map of the lodes shows it to be a separate east-west lode to the south of the north-south Yerilla King lode.

The mine was owned by brothers William and Richard Duncan and Chambers (surname). The former were also owner of several other leases on the goldfield.

In 1910, A. Howe and McIntyre purchase the Viola mine from the Duncans for 50 pounds. During Duncan's time development work had reached 90 feet, before they decided to give up on the lease. Howe sank a further 20 feet and produced 40 tonnes of ore for 63.44 ounces, and 93 tonnes of ore for 338 ounces of gold. The reef was 4 feet thick.

The Duncans were not well liked on the goldfield. This was in part from jealousy, being the dominant leaseholder, being rich, and as former businessmen, seeing the other lease holders as an opportunity to make money. More information on this is under the Yerilla Claims Gold Mine Mindat locality.

In 1915, Yarri prospector Dan Crowley complained bitterly about a failed forfeiture case involving the Viola lease. GML 752R. The Duncans had re-purchased he states a three quarter interest in the mine in 1914 for 30 pounds. During the last six months of that period, he states no work had been done on the lease, no exemptions applied for and no rent paid to the Mines Department. While the warden recommended forfeiture, the Duncans complained to the Mines Department, who imposed a small fine instead.

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