Day 174 - Kalgoorlie

Hot day, horrible wind and bad enough to stay at home to watch the AFL final.  We did manage to slip out for a couple of hours this morning to spend some time at the lookout atop the tailings of the Kalgoorlie gold mine.

Gold was discovered by Paddy Hannan at Mt Charlotte, Kalgoorlie on 17 June 1893.  Pre 1989, the area was covered with many mining leases, none of which was very economic. Alan Bond then set about buying up the many leases in the expectation that by converting the mines to a single open cut, the economics would be improved. He did not complete the consolidation but Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Normandy Australia and Homestake Gold of Australia Limited, did so. The mine is now owned jointly (50:50) by Newmont Australia Pty Ltd and Barrick Australia Pacific. They now have a very profitable operation.  It must be because they are still mining and the hole is getting bigger.

The hole is called the Superpit and superpit is what it is.  Apparently it is the biggest open cut mine in Australia, even bigger than the iron ore mines at Newman and Tom Price.  It is quite a sight.  When they have finished mining here the pit will measure 3.8km long, 1.35km wide and 500m deep. We have attached some photos from which you may be able to glean some further information, apart from getting some idea of the vastness of this operation.

270914 The welcome sign

270914 The Superpit part 1

270914 The Superpit part 2

270914 Statue of Patrick (Paddy) Hannan, who discovered
gold at Mt Charlotte, Kalgoorlie on 17 June 1893

240914 Some history of the gold mine

270914 Mineralisation of the Golden Mine

270914 More information on the mine

As for the AFL, what a lop sided affair. We would have to congratulate the Hawks on an AFL masterclass, not just to win, but by such a large margin in a grand final.

And the wind continues to make our life uncomfortable.  There is dust and grime swirling around - so unpleasant.  Even the clouds have gone walkabout and left us with a perfect, azure blue sky.  30 degrees in the van, which adds to the discomfort. Thank goodness the humidity is very low.