Local Government
East Pilbara
Region
Pilbara
Approx 20km out of Nullagine
on the left hand side of the road
East Pilbara
Pilbara
Constructed from 1938
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
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| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
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| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 27 Aug 1999 | ||
The Blue Spec Mine has historic and social significance. The vascilating fortunes of the mining operations are representative of the fate of a number of small mining operations in the district. It was once a significant employer in the district, and it is rumoured that mining activity may start up again in the near future.
The Blue Spec Mine is set in the foothills about 20 kms in an easterly direction from Nullagine. There is a large amount of modern mining equipment dwarfing the old historical site. On site is an old 10 stamp battery left from the early days. Some of the buildings also date back to the 1930s.
The Blue Spec Mine has had a number of prospectors and miners attempting to make a living from the mine. The founder of the mine in 1898 was Andy Aikman. It is believed the mine was called the Blue Spec after a horse that had won the Melbourne Cup in 1904. Andy Aikman was not successful with the Blue Spec and it was not until the 1930s that it was properly revived. In 1932 John Dodds. with a syndicate behind him, started to mine the Blue Spec despite many locals wondering how he was going to succeed. It took him a number of years of setting up equipment, overcoming carting and water problems and developing a treatment plant. By 1938 the gold production was still costing more than the achievable selling price. However, the intervention of World War II created a catalyst for the Blue Spec Mine. With the onset of war the demand for base metals such as antimony had a world wide demand. The Blue Spec mine had an overabundence but production took many years to set up. The mine continued to produce antimony and gold for some years but the fortunes of the mine kept oscillating with a number of openings and closings, until the late 1960s when it was decided to try again. In 1976 the Blue Spec Mine employed up to 100 men and women but by 1978 had financial difficulties. The mine was closed in May 1978 with all equipment from the mine being auctioned. Today the mine once more stands still with only a caretaker on site. The mine last operated in 1995. Talk of the town in April 1997 was that the drillers were back. The Blue Spec could soon be operational once again.
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | MINING | Other |
| Present Use | MINING | Other |
| General | Specific |
|---|---|
| OCCUPATIONS | Mining {incl. mineral processing} |
This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.