Elsie Gold Mine (Mount Elsie), Ripon Hills District, East Pilbara Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Elsie Gold Mine (Mount Elsie)	Mine
Ripon Hills District	Mining District
East Pilbara Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Only two people go to the Elsie Gold Mine- those that are lost or mad. So said veteran prospector Jim Gregg, when Minister of Mines, A.H. Panton visited in 1940. We are unsure which of the two Gregg was referring to in relation to the Minister.

The Elsie Gold Mine is roughly 60 kilometres north-east of Nullagine, and 100 kilometres south-east of Marble Bar. It is about as remote as it gets in the region. A bulldozed track by an exploration company goes to the location, which appears to consist of several shallow bulldozed areas. The track goes for miles across hills and creek crossings to the north of the Eastern Creek workings.

Information is scattered and incomplete. The original prospectors could not be located, but reports of alluvial gold found at the location surface in 1898. The following year fifty men are at the site, searching for alluvial gold. Much was said to be found, at least for several to finance holidays to the Eastern States. Bligh and party as an example arrived at Roebourne with 300 ounces of gold, some slugs of 40, 30 and 18 ounces each.

In 1900, Clarke and party are reported to have crushed 28.5 tonnes. Dr. Leary had purchased a one sixth interest in the mine, as part of a deceased estate sale.

Around 1905 to 1906, John Martin had taken up the old Elsie Reward lease, and installed a wind powered 3 head battery, and small cyanide plant. He was driving on a 7 inch leader, and several small crushings are reported. Martin had produced about 100 tonnes of ore for just over 400 ounces of gold. He appears to have abandoned the mine once the water level was reached, and the Warden reports in 1908 the site is deserted.

Gibb-Maitland in 1908, states the only serious attempt at mining in the area is at the foot of Mount Elsie. GML 86. Formerly Duncan and Sullivan's gold mine, and this may refer to the original prospectors. The outcrop is at the summit of a high ridge, worked to a depth of 80 feet, with 104 feet of driving. The site contained several shafts and a tunnel, on a complex series of reefs. The mill referred to above he states was a Tremaine mill at the base of the hill.

D. Connaughton put through one tonne in 1937 for 16.95 ounces. The following year 10 tonnes for 16.19 ounces is reported from the location. Jim Gregg in 1940, has a small mill at the site capable of crushing 12 tonnes of ore in two hours.

Several minor north-south modern exploration workings can be seen in the immediate area of the Mindat co-ordinates, the historic mine also nearby.

References

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