Mount Ferrum Gold Mine (Hannans Mount Ferrum; A.W.A.), Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Mount Ferrum Gold Mine (Hannans Mount Ferrum; A.W.A.)	Mine
Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines	Group of Mines
Kalgoorlie-Boulder	- not defined -
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The Mount Ferrum Gold Mine is a few hundred metres south-east of Williamstown, a small Kalgoorlie outlier of houses. There are many fenced shafts in the area.

Considering the mine bordered the rich Hidden Secret mine, we would expect Mount Ferrum to have been rich in gold, but this was not the case. In 1896, the City Mining Syndicate sold the property to the Hannans Mount Ferrum Gold Mines Limited. 33.5 acres. The lease consisted of the old Etra-Weenie, Etra-Weenie North and Mount Phirim leases. GML 1490E, 987E, 1110E.

Initially there was a blaze of publicity about several rich lodes on the lease. However, mid 1898, saw a frank assessment on developments. The director stated the mine had been a bitter dis-appointment. The veins were small and went down to no depth. The company had spent 20 000 pounds, and had little to show for it. A lengthy period of exemptions ensued.

The company limped along, being reconstructed in 1899. The plant was sold to the neighbouring Croesus mine in 1901, then the lease was abandoned in 1903. Shortly after the mine was pegged by John Thornett, with his brother joining him a year later. They re-named the lease A.W.A.

Thornett had lost his life savings on the Coolgardie stock exchange. Mount Ferrum was a new start, and what he found was an immense low grade lode, which the prior company had dismissed as not worth its while. A 10 head battery was erected, and 35 men employed. In 3 years the mine had yielded 41 000 pounds worth of gold. The battery burned to the ground in 1910 after being struck by lightning.

John Thornett was a man of small stature, and thick glasses, who according to one report solved any problem by pulling out his revolver. Various incidences were highlighted, from threatening government officials at gun point, to collecting everyones gambling winnings by firing shots into the roof of the hotel, and being the only person left. Finding the wild west of Kalgoorlie too tame for his liking, he left to go prospecting in northern Rhodesia.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

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