Morning Star Gold Mine, Lennonville Goldfield, Mount Magnet, Mount Magnet Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Morning Star Gold Mine	Mine
Lennonville Goldfield	Ore Field
Mount Magnet	Mountain
Mount Magnet Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Most of the gold mines listed for Mt Magnet occur near the western outskirts of the town and head north for a few kilometres. Historically they were all close to each other. Over recent decades the individual mine names have tended to be lost. For instance the present company which owns all the mines, simply calls it the Mount Magnet Project. The mine is three kilometres north-west of Mount Magnet.

The Morning Star Mine started in 1894, after the flotation of the Ballarat based Morning Star Quartz Mining Company. The company was chaired by R.F. Bryant, and his brother, Joseph Bryant was mine manager from this time, and for many years to at least 1903. He took a leading role in promoting gold mining in the area; chaired meetings, was a member of the Mining Commission, and conducted interviews with journalists promoting the prospects for the Mt Magnet area. The State Premier at one point cited his management of the mine, as a prime example of making a low grade, high quantity ore body profitable through excellent mine management.

The main orebody at the mine was called the Easter Lode. The Island Eureka Gold Mining Company took over the mine in 1903. The Black Hill Development Company was given a twelve month tribute over the mine in 1909.

In 1911, the Crushie Doo leases were purchased on the mine's western boundary. They were also operating the nearby Saturn gold mine. A six month excemption of mining was applied for in the Warden's Court in 1913, which often highlighted some difficulties in keeping the mine operational.

The Star Syndicate was formed in 1915 to continue mining at Morning Star. It was noted at this time 83 leases had been abandoned in the Mt Magnet area, and while Morning Star had continued to produce gold, it was at a low ebb. Nothing was found after this date till the 1930's. This is not unusual for Western Australian gold mines, which suffered badly from lack of labour and increased costs during World War One, and were often revived during the 1930's when the gold price rose substantially.

From 1934 Hill 50 Gold Nl took over ownership of the mine. Mine manager R. Angus applied in the Warden's Court for a three month excemption to mining, as they were focussed on developing the neighbouring Black Cat lease. By 1938, however much activity is reported in the 'Morning Star group of leases' as the general area was now called, with sixty men employed and several camps erected.

In 1941, the Swan Bitter Gold Mining Co NL was given a working option over the mine, which ceased in 1943.

Active mining is next reported in 1956 by Mount Magnet Development NL. It was next mined between 1966-1976. The mine reopened again in the 1980's under the Hill 50 title. Underground mining continued from 1999-2007. Harmony Gold (Australia) Pty Ltd sold the mine to Ramelius Resources who again re-opened the mine in 2011.

The host sequence is the Morning Star Unit, which is a series of komatiitic and high magnesium basalt, pillow basalt, and schistose altered basalts. The gold occurs in a system of parallel folded quartz veins in broadly ellipsoidal bodies.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References