Local Government
Perenjori
Region
Midwest
Off Boonerong Rd Perenjori
Perenjori
Midwest
Constructed from 1897
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| (no listings) |
| Type | Status | Date | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| RHP - Does not warrant assessment | Current | 27 Jul 2018 |
| Type | Status | Date | Grading/Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | ||||
| Municipal Inventory | Adopted | 20 May 1999 | Category 2 | |
The Rothsay Mine, Manager's House, shafts and battery foundations have high historic significance as evidence of the gold mining activities which took place in the district from 1894. Activities at the mine had an important impact on the district, in particular the nearby town of Rothsay.
Located to the west of the Rothsay Townsite, the Rothsay Mine precinct includes the mine, ruins of the mine manager's house, evidence of mine shafts and the foundations of the battery. The stone ruins of the mine manager's house are located only 10 metres from the side of a deep open pit which loops around the house. Nearby is the original mine shaft which is approximately 270 feet deep and has been covered. Footings of the poppet head are still evident including bricks which were made locally at a nearby kiln. On the other side of the gravel track are the foundations and remnants of the battery.
In 1894 George Woodley became the first man to strike gold in the Perenjori District, 10 miles east of Damperwah Springs at Rothsay. A year after John Forrest surveyed the area in 1896, the " Rothsay Mine was a going concern in a town of about 300 residents. Following Woodley's find most of the area was pegged, but by 1897 many of the valuable claims had been acquired by the Glasgow Syndicate. A company with a capital of £250,000 was formed and its first operations led to the discovery of a gold seam approximately 200 feet long. Gold was sent to Yalgoo for treatment and then transported to Perth. However, the presence of copper in much of the ore caused difficulties in extraction and the mine was shut down in 1902. In 1914 an option was taken out on the mine by Berwick, Moreing and Co. who unwatered and sampled the mine but relinquished the option in July 1915. In 1918 it was acquired by the West Australia Developement Syndicate who engaged for the next two years in sampling and investigating the metallurgical problems. Rothsay experienced a second lease of life during the 1930s when a company financed by the flamboyant mining entrepreneur Claude de Bemales reopened the mine in 1935. Although the mine operated productively for several years, water in the shaft caused problems and it was forced to close in 1939. (Sources: Cannon, E.S., "Golden Opportunities", pp.3-8 & Heritage Trail)
Integrity: Low
Poor
| Ref ID No | Ref Name | Ref Source | Ref Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES Cannon; "Golden Opportunities - A History of Perenjori". p.3-8 | UWA Press. | 1983 | |
| "Perenjori Rothsay Heritage Trail". |
Individual Building or Group
| Epoch | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Original Use | MINING | Other |
| Original Use | MINING | Housing or Quarters |
| Type | General | Specific |
|---|---|---|
| Wall | STONE | Other Stone |
| 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.