POSSIBLE MINE SITE
c. 1975 - 1985Small faded colour photo of hillside with eucalypt trees (white trunks) and undergrowth.
The hillside looks as though it has been terraced and there may be a mine entrance at the bottom with timber props visible across the entrance (collapsed?)
Cleared area in the foreground with a rusting metal bucket (tipper) and a concrete piece.
The location is unknown but it is presumed to be within the Shire of Toodyay.
Based on the distinct visual characteristics of the photograph, it was likely taken between the mid-1970s and the early 1980s. The visual indicators include the colour shift, the white border and the matte/semi-matte texture.
Details
Details
In 1852 gold was first noted in the Toodyay area and in around 1895 there was talk again of gold in the Jumperding area. However, it was in 1931, early in the first Great Depression, that a second discovery of alluvial gold was found in the same area at Yinnidining Creek, eight miles south-west of Toodyay. This started a gold rush and by 1932 there were over a 100 prospectors camped in the valley. In 1934, load bearing rock was discovered. There was a connection with Western mining Company during the 1930's. The mine closed in 1950. The largest shaft was Brown's Reward Mine. Mica shist is till extracted from the area by the Midland Brick Company to blend with clays in the production of bricks for the residential market in Perth.
Ref: 'Toodyay Gold', Peter J bridge 2008; 'Toodyay, the good old days', Wally Chitty 2004, State Heritage Office, InHerit entry for site of Jimperding Gold Mine Place No. 12441
