The Kalgoorlie - Boulder Mines
From Engineering Heritage Australia
Faced with the problem of having to process refractory sulpho-tellride ore in the early 1900s Kalgoorlie mining engineers and metallurgists developed new processes which revolutionised gold extraction metallurgy. By 1905 Kalgoorlie Boulder was recognised as a world leader in gold extraction metallurgy and was only second to the South African Rand as a leading gold producing centre in the world.
Mining in Kalgoorlie Boulder was important to the development of Western Australia and the Government was supportive. Much funding for public infrastructure was provided.
By 1901 a third of the Western Australian population of 65,000 lived and worked on the Eastern Goldfields.
Engineering Heritage Recognition Program
| Marker Type | National Engineering Landmark (NEL) |
| Award Date | 27 November 2001 |
| Heritage Significance | In 1900 when the extremely rich sulpho-tellurde ore and the near-surface oxidised ore had been worked out, the Kalgoorlie – Boulder mines were experiencing a crisis in confidence. All mines were faced with the problem of how to treat the abundant less rich sulpho-tellurde ore. By 1905 two new processes had been developed with Kalgoorlie – Boulder acknowledged as the leading centre for metallurgical innovation in the world. New equipment including the tube mill, improved roasters and the filter press were widely adopted on many gold fields. |
| Nomination Document | Available here. |
| Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report |
Ceremony Booklet available here. Ceremony Report available here. |
| Plaque/Interpretation Panel | See above. |
