Sons of Gwalia Underground Gold mine, Headframe and Winder Engine

The Sons of Gwalia reef was discovered in April/May 1896. Production and settlement by Europeans immediately commenced and the twin towns of Leonora and Gwalia became established and were connected by Railway to Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie, 250 km to the South. Apart from the year 1922, following a disastrous fire which destroyed the greater part of the surface plant, the mine remained in production continuously up to 1963, when it became uneconomic and the underground mine was closed.

In 1971 the Leonora Tourist Committee was formed by the Shire of Leonora. Soon thereafter the Gwalia Museum Historical Society was formed. The museum was established and continues to this day. The museum’s collection includes the timber headframe, winder engine, mines office, assay building, mine superintendent’s house, and many artefacts associated with the mine such as skips, kilns, and gold bar moulds. The headframe and winder engine are the most significant items in the collection.

When the price of gold rose in the 1980’s, a new company, Sons of Gwalia NC was established and open cut operations commenced on the site of the former underground mine. The mine is still operating. The owner is St Barbara. It does not form part of this nomination.

See the biography of Herbert Hoover for additional information about the early days of operation of the Sons of Gwalia Mine.

Sons of Gwalia, the underground mine in operation
Source: www.miningartifacts.org

Headframe
Source: Shire of Leonora

The huge steam winding engine which hauled on the incline during its operating days
Source: www.miningartifacts.org

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Engineering Heritage Recognition Program

Marker Type	Engineering Heritage National Marker (EHNM)
Award Date	31 May 2015
Heritage Significance	The headframe and winder engine are significant because the headframe is the only large timber underlie, or incline, surviving in Australia and it is the largest of three remaining headframes in Western Australia. The 1912 Fraser & Chalmers Winder Engine is the largest of its type in Australia and one of only three surviving. It is a fine example of a large, steam-powered winding machine and an example of technological achievement of the period.
Nomination Document	Available here.
Ceremony Booklet Ceremony Report	Ceremony Booklet available here. Ceremony Report available here.
Plaque/Interpretation Panel	Available here.