Queen Margaret South Gold Mine, Bulong Goldfield, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Queen Margaret South Gold Mine	Mine
Bulong Goldfield	Ore Field
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The mine produced 634 tonnes of ore at a very high 194.28 g/t yielding 4023.71 ounces of gold. Several rich patches of specimen stone are reported across 1896 to 1901.

48 acres. Located south of the Queen Margaret Central mine on the Queen Margaret line of lode. Frederick Hancey was mine manager for most of the period the Adelaide based Queen Margaret South Company controlled the lease. The bulk of the ore was taken from the 160 foot and 200 foot levels of the shaft. At 160 feet the reef was 3 feet wide, and at 200 feet 4 feet wide.

Early crushings were sent a substantial distance to the Wallaroo Smelting Works in South Australia. After 20 months, the company was still pottering at the surface with no main shaft or battery erected on the lease. This led to a shareholder revolt, and a shaft was started. The mine continued until 1901 through much barren ground, with the occasional spectacular specimen patches of almost pure gold.

For much of 1900 the mine is closed under an exemption. In February 1901, the warden refused more exemptions over the mine. Hancey states the company had spent 10 000 pounds on the mine, and obtained 6000 pounds money wise in gold, employing fourteen men. The company controlled the Queen Margaret South lease GML 95Y and Royal Margaret lease 631Y. Hancey states all the available ore had been exhausted. The company had purchased the Royal Margaret Company around late 1898. Hancey's buggy was set on fire in an arson attack in 1902.

Shortly after Hancey and a few friends purchased the mine. They then closed the mine, and when it failed to sell at auction, reverted back to the company through a prior arrangement. In 1903, tributers Thomas F. Bowden and others obtained 1400 ounces in a short space of time from the mine. Bowden died at 76 years of age at Bulong in 1908. He was originally from Charters Towers in Queensland.

Hancey applied for election to the Bulong Road Board in 1906. At the beginning of 1906, the New Queen Margaret South Gold Mining Company Limited was formed. In April of that year it is stated the 200 and 250 foot levels had been opened up, with fair gold found. A winding plant had been erected, and some work was being done by tributers. Water was being carted from Kalgoorlie. The company was mentioned in passing the following year, but no more activity was found.

Crushings by Bryant and McDonald (surnames) go through from the Queen Margaret South lease in 1909. They are still there in 1912, struggling still to keep the mine un-watered.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References