Wiluna
Gold Prospecting Location around Wiluna
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Gold was first discovered near Wiluna on St. Patrick's Day 1896 by prospectors George Woodley, James Wotton, and Jimmy Lennon, sparking a gold rush to this remote location. On December 29, 1897, a spectacular 14-kilogram nugget was found in Wiluna - then the largest discovered in the colony of Western Australia.
The town experienced multiple boom and bust cycles, reaching its peak in the 1930s when the population grew to over 9,000 people. Today, Wiluna continues as an active mining center with modern operations extracting gold from this historically rich goldfield.
Gold was first discovered near Wiluna on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1896, by prospectors George Woodley, James Wotton, and Jimmy Lennon. Their discovery caused a gold rush to this remote area, and the township of Wiluna was born.
On December 29, 1897, a massive 14-kilogram gold nugget was found in Wiluna - at the time, the largest nugget found in the colony of Western Australia. This spectacular discovery further attracted prospectors to the region and cemented Wiluna's reputation as a rich goldfield.
The town prospered from mine development until World War I, but around 1910 the mines declined as refractory ore at greater depths proved difficult to treat with existing technology. The town entered a period of decline that lasted through the 1910s.
The 1920s-1930s brought dramatic revival when entrepreneur Claude de Bernales floated the Wiluna Gold Corporation in 1924. He raised £1 million in London in 1926 to undertake extensive drilling and modern treatment methods. The Western Australian government built a railway line from Meekatharra to support the operations. By the mid-1930s, Wiluna thrived with a population exceeding 9,000 people. Gold mining recommenced in 1981, beginning the modern era that continues today.
Common Questions
When was gold discovered in Wiluna? ▼
Gold was discovered near Wiluna on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1896, by George Woodley, James Wotton, and Jimmy Lennon. The discovery sparked a rush to this remote location over 500 kilometers north of Kalgoorlie.
What was the record-breaking nugget found in Wiluna? ▼
On December 29, 1897, a 14-kilogram gold nugget was found in Wiluna - the largest nugget discovered in the colony of Western Australia at that time. This spectacular find attracted even more prospectors to the area.
When was Wiluna's peak population? ▼
Wiluna reached its peak population of over 9,000 people in the mid-1930s, during the revival led by Claude de Bernales and the Wiluna Gold Corporation. This was supported by modern processing technology and the construction of a railway line from Meekatharra.
Is gold mining still active in Wiluna? ▼
Yes, gold mining recommenced in Wiluna in 1981 and continues today with modern operations. The town serves as a base for several mining operations in the region, maintaining its gold mining heritage into the 21st century.