Yilgangie Gold Mine (Yilgangi; Yilgangie Queen), Yarri Goldfield, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Yilgangie Gold Mine (Yilgangi; Yilgangie Queen)	Mine
Yarri Goldfield	Ore Field
Menzies Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Modern exploration companies and maps spell it Yilgangi, while historically it was spelt Yilgangie.

The mine is located approximately 10 kilometres north-west of the Porphyry mine, and 1 kilometre south of the Yerilla-Yarri Road. The site consists of some remnant battery sands and widely scattered small mullock heaps, disturbed ground, modern rehabilitated cross trenches, and possibly shafts. The area is flat and largely barren, bordered to the east by an ephemeral creek.

There are further workings to the north of the road, initially west of the north north-west track, converging onto the track at its northern end. These stretch north-south for about two kilometres, and appear to be minor but extensive modern exploration, and possibly shallow historic workings.

Yilgangie as a locality for gold is mentioned as far back as 1898, although with little details other than a prospector name or two. The main Yarri line of lode was discovered in 1902, and outlying deposits sometime in the 1920's and 1930's. New discoveries in the Yilgangie area were being made as late as 1934.

C. Heppingstone and Palmer discover a new deposit in the Yilgangie area in 1934. Two months later, twelve men are employed to develop the deposit. A year later Heppingstone is managing the Yilgangie Queen mine. No information for this name was found before this date, and it is assumed Heppingstone and Palmer discovered the deposit but needs confirmation.

A Kalgoorlie syndicate takes out a two year option over the mine in 1939. At this stage the shaft is down to 150 feet, with the syndicate intending to sink a further 50 feet. The main ore shoot strikes north, is 16 inches wide, and dips west. There are three faults along the main shoot, with the Footwall basalt, and Hanging Wall carbonated rock. To this point the mine has produced 700 tonnes of ore for 1400 ounces of gold. It is mentioned in passing the lease was held by Western Mining Corporation in 1946.

Pearson and party are tributing at the Yilgangie Queen mine in 1949. 750 tonnes is reported extracted worth 19 000 pounds in gold. Gold bullion is produced weighing 1568 ounces the source states. Another 150 tonnes of ore is reported in 1950 achieving 167 ounces, 482 tonnes at 23 dwt, and 270 tonnes for 30 dwt. The sands were processed in 1948 at 270 tonnes, but only produced 3.5 dwt.

In 1954, a source states the Yilgangie Queen Gold Mine is one of the most consistently rich but small gold mines in Western Australia. A 185 tonne crushing at the Yarri state battery had just produced 203 ounces. Modern times the tenements were held by Saracen Gold Mines as part of its Carousue Dam project. Saracen stated the deposit is contained in north-west striking polymitic conglomerate, greywacke, schist and slate. The area is intruded by a number of monzodiorite to diorite dykes and small plugs. It states historic mines at the location include Yilgangi, Yilgangi Castle, Yilgangi King, Yilgangi Queen, Yilgangi North, Yilgangi West and Rainbow. The writer also found Golden Hill in the 1940's. Some deposits may have been on the line of workings north of the road. Marshall and Stone in 1934 discovered a new find 1 mile south of the Yilgangie Queen in the vicinity of an old alluvial patch. Little information was found for most of these locations.

Yilgangie Queen has produced 1095 kg of gold from 42 350 tonnes of ore at 29.9 g/t.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References