Royal Standard Gold Mine, Mount Pleasant, Black Flag Goldfield, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Royal Standard Gold Mine	Mine
Mount Pleasant	Mountain
Black Flag Goldfield	Ore Field
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The Royal Standard Gold Mining Company was floated in Adelaide in early 1895. The original two prospector names could not be found. The site now contains four small open pits, east of the Racetrack mine, and just east of the Paddington-Mount Pleasant haulage road.

The mine historically bordered the east side of the Black Flag township, although nothing remains of this now, and most of the site is part of the Racetrack mine. A 10 head battery was erected on the top of a small hill that borders the road, with the main shaft at the base of the hill on its eastern side.

The company only lasted into 1898, and came under much criticism from shareholders, after the mine had promised much. The shareholders tried to sanction the board in July 1896, for making calls on shares sooner than what the prospectus stated. The chairman failed to show.

Meanwhile the manager sank shafts on side leaders to the main reef which with one exception proved barren. On the main reef were three shafts but two only reached 30 feet depth, the water level, while the main was at 90 feet. Little ore was being obtained, and the battery offered crushings for local prospectors, but it was still idle for long periods. The company ordered 15 000 bricks, which were then destroyed in a flood.

It came to light that chairman, V.L. Solomon, had a financial interest in the mine during its prospecting days, so obtained part of the 10 000 pounds paid by the company to the prospectors. Further, shareholders paid for Solomon's expenses to travel to the mine to arrange the purchase.

A shareholder wrote into the Adelaide papers complaining the company had not produced one report in the two years since it had floated. August 1897, the directors recommended the company be wound up. Shareholders voted to reconstruct the company as the New Royal Standard
Gold Mining Company. Some directors resigned stating they were tired of the enterprise, while Solomon stated he intended putting no money into the mine itself as he was sick of the whole affair. 50 000 pounds was raised, but most paid off debt. Later in 1898, the company was wound up.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References