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The Western Australian Museum of Kalgoorlie Boulder showcases the rich history of the Eastern Goldfields and the City’s mining heritage. Discover the unique role the town has played in WA’s development, both as a centre of mining and its place at the edge of the Nullarbor Plain. Explore the largest display of the State’s collection of gold bars and nuggets, step back in time to see how prospectors searched for this precious metal, and learn about the life and hardships faced by mining families during the early 1900s.
Long Term Exhibitions include; the Miner’s Cottage replica building, which illustrates the living conditions and social lives of early goldfields settlers, the Mezzanine Gallery which offers numerous displays featuring artefacts, objects, photos, furniture and memorabilia to tell the stories of the goldfields, and The ‘British Arms’ Hotel, built in 1899. This heritage-listed hotel is said to be the narrowest pub in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Museum’s underground Gold Vault features a spectacular collection of gold, jewelry and historical items. The Gold Vault also features the unique Geological Survey collection of nuggets, decorative miners’ brooches and the first gold bar refined in Kalgoorlie- Boulder. Half of the State's gold collection is housed in this vault, which is the most secure public access vault in Australia.
Venture up the imposing Ivanhoe headframe in the glass-fronted lift, to take in the panoramic view of the City of Kalgoorlie Boulder. The Museum also offers holiday programs for children during the school holidays / vacations. Children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Located at 17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie, the Museum is open daily from 10:00am - 4:30pm, 1:00pm - 4:30pm on ANZAC Day, and closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday. Entry is by donation of a suggested $5. For more information on the Western Australian Museum of Kalgoorlie Boulder visit their website: Kalgoorlie Boulder Museum or contact them on (08) 9021 8533.
Western Australia's development is paved with gold. The rushes of 1880s and 1890s transformed WA from a struggling backwater into a thriving State. The influx of diggers who joined the gold rush increased Western Australia's population from 46,000 in 1890 to 180,000 in 1900.
Today, Western Australia is experiencing another gold boom. Modern mining and processing techniques have seen output jump from about 15 tonnes in 1980 to 180 tonnes in 1992 (an increase of 1200%). The previous record was 60 tonnes in the early 1900s.
Australia - the world’s third biggest gold producer - relies on WA for more than 70% of the nation’s gold. In 1992, the gold industry, which employed 10,000 people, was worth $2.7billion.
The formation of gold deposits
Most of the gold deposits in Western Australia were formed during the Archaen age more than 2,500 million years ago. Notable exceptions are the Telfer deposits formed 1000 million years ago during the Proterozoic age.
Under the influence of changing temperatures and pressures the precipitate gold is concentrated in rock fractures.
Some deposits have subsequently been discovered in the form of alluvial nuggets, free gold in quartz veins or alloys, combined with silver, copper, platinum and tellurium.
Most gold mined today is so fine that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The presence of gold particles can only be identified by chemical testing.
Where is the gold produced?
The States most significant goldfields have been developed in the Kalgoorlie, Murchison, Pilbara and Boddington areas. In 1992, there were 45 major mining companies in Western Australia. The ore is mined and smelted to more than 75% gold and often over 90% at or near each site.
Troy Measure
24 Grains (gr) = 1 Pennyweight
20 Pennyweights (dwt) = 1 Ounce
12 Ounces (oz) = 1 Pound (obsolete)
Metric measure
Gold ore grades prior to 1973
Grades were normally quoted in pennyweights per ton (2240lbs avoirdupois) - dwt per ton. - n.b. usually rounded to nearest pennyweight but may be pennyweights and grains or decimal pennyweights. Certain companies during some periods used the short ton (2000lbs avoirdupois) [e.g. Hill 50 Gold, Lake View and Star]. Grades in shillings (usually shillings per short ton) refer to a gold price of 4-4s-11½d (see note).Therefore divide by 4s/3d (4.25 shillings) to obtain grade in pennyweights.
Grades are written - 2oz.13dwt.21gr. or 2.13.21. Alluvial grades may be quoted in pennyweights per cubic yard (dwt.per.cu.yd.) but quite often were converted into monetary value using the gold price at the time (e.g. pence per yard). American grades are normally quoted in decimal troy ounces per short ton.
Conversion factors
1 pennyweight (dwt) = 1.55 174g
1 ounce (oz) Troy = 31.103 48g
1 long ton (avoirdupois) = 1.016 047t
1 short ton (2000 lbs) = 0.907 1847t
1 foot (ft) = 0.3048m
1dwt/ton = 1.530 612 g/t
1 dwt/short ton = 1.714 286g/t
1 dwt/cubic yard = 2.034 906g/m3
1/-per short ton = 0.403 361g/t
Gold bars
London Market Standard - minimum 350oz - maximum 430oz
Perth Mint - 400oz+ 10oz
80 bars = 1 metric tonne approx.
The Perth Mint also casts bars (from ½oz to 50oz) for the small investor.
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This is the official blog of the Son of a Gun Kalgoorlie Experience.
Here you'll find out all the gossip and news about one of the movie's official locations;
Kalgoorlie Boulder.
Submitted by Anonymous on
Catch Ewan's recent appearance on The Project, and listen to what he has to say about his visit to Kalgoorlie Boulder!
Submitted by Anonymous on
The cast and crew of Son of a Gun enjoyed some well earned down-time at the Kalgoorlie Golf Course over the weekend. Ewan McGregor and three other members of the cast and crew enjoyed a late afternoon game at the world class, Graham Marsh designed course. The Kalgoorlie Golf Course is a premier, 18-hole grass golf course, rated one of the top desert courses in the world!
If you’ve not already experienced the Golf Course, get down there and give it a try! If golf isn’t your thing, then you can still enjoy the beautiful setting of the Course at the Waterhole restaurant. For more information, visit http://kalgoorlietourism.com/kalgoorlie-golf-course
Submitted by Anonymous on
While in town to film scenes for his upcoming movie ‘Son of a Gun’, Ewan McGregor (known for his love of travel) has been making the most of Kalgoorlie’s tourist attractions, visiting local iconic sites such as the KCGM Super Pit, the Kalgoorlie Golf Course, the Speedway and even hanging with the locals for a game of pool at Broadarrow Tavern.
Even better; he’s been sharing photos of these experiences with his 300,000 online fans! Check out his photo diary below!
Submitted by Anonymous on
Kalgoorlie’s Speedway was recently used as a location for racing scenes in upcoming movie ‘Son of a Gun’, allowing the crew to capture real-life racing to feature in the film. Local Super Sedan racer Rick Mussarra’s car was filmed during one of his races but will appear to be driven by Ewan McGregor’s character when the film hits the big screen.
Submitted by Anonymous on
It's official; the Son of a Gun movie crew are in Kalgoorlie!
Ewan McGregor Tweeted a photo of himself and director, Julius Avery arriving at Kalgoorlie Train Station this afternoon! http://instagram.com/p/X9FlTXQy8G/#
Let the star spotting begin and don't forget to share your photos, stories and gossip on our pages.
Submitted by itomic on
Kalgoorlie Boulder has been chosen as one of the official locations for Aussie director, Julius Avery’s debut feature film ‘Son of a Gun’ starring Ewan McGregor. McGregor will play the character of Brendan Lynch (Australia’s public enemy number one) who takes a new inmate (JR, played by Australian actor Brenton Thwaites) under his wing. JR helps Brendan to escape and whilst the two are on the run, they form a complex ‘co-dependent’ relationship that will ‘be more dangerous than the heists they plan and the enemies tracking them down’.
Submitted by itomic on
We’re extremely proud to have been chosen as Son of a Gun’s most featured location and are so excited about the opportunity to showcase Kalgoorlie Boulder to a potentially global audience.