Paynes Crusoe Gold Mine (Crusoe; Robinson Crusoe; Harp; Golden Harp; Retaliation; Hayes Reward; Atlas No1), Mount Gibson Conservation Reserve, Retaliation Goldfield, Yalgoo Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Paynes Crusoe Gold Mine (Crusoe; Robinson Crusoe; Harp; Golden Harp; Retaliation; Hayes Reward; Atlas No1)	Mine
Mount Gibson Conservation Reserve	Mountain
Retaliation Goldfield	Ore Field
Yalgoo Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Located approximately 2 kilometres along the road to the Mount Gibson Wildlife Conservation Reserve, east of the Great Northern Highway. The area contains some shallow open cuts and white mullock next to the road.

The deposit was discovered in December 1910 by Thomas Payne, who a year later discovered another goldfield further north, which is now named after him being Paynes Find. It appears Payne didn't consider the deposit worthy enough for full scale mining, although some did take place in subsequent years. Early information for the area is vague on location details. GML 993 or 598.

The Retaliation name for the goldfield, and for a time this mine comes from a disagreement between the Mount Gibson station owner and his employees. The owner Paddy Connolly had instructed two of his employees, to sink a well at the old mine, and construct a tank on the spoil heap. This was after some heavy rain, and the employees found gold in the spoil heap. While still employed by Connolly, these employees started to mine the deposit in their spare time. As the law stood at the time, any gold found by an employee belonged to his employer. Connelly sued and won. In other words he took retaliation against his employees. This occurred sometime before 1914.

The Inspector of Mines visited the site now named the Harp Mine in 1918. He reports a 5 head battery but no active mining taking place. He states there are a number of small parallel north-south trending reefs, and at least one cross reef. The site contains several small shafts 15 to 30 feet deep. He reports that 30 tonnes of ore had previously been mined at the location (at least officially) for 30 oz. The site also contained a 60 foot deep water shaft. The shafts showed a vertical reef with more gold at one end than the other, and a rich 'dab' at the southern end of 200 oz Au.

In 1923 H. Lewis, an employee of Mount Gibson and Ninghan Stations had control of the mine now called the Golden Harp. He progressively sold shares in it to Connolly, although it is unclear from the sources, how this matches the information in the prior paragraphs. The lease was then sold to Hayes and Cashen (surnames), but no date is mentioned. The mine was re-named Hayes Reward. Then Atlas Gold Mines held it under GML 1027 from 1933 to 1936. This was part of the Charles De Bernales group, who raised much funds in London to finance gold mining in Western Australia in the 1930's. He lived a flamboyant lifestyle, and built a mansion in Cottlesloe Perth, which is now the Cottlesloe Civic Centre. During the time Atlas controlled the mine 3117.3 tonnes was mined for 32.43 kg of gold. This appears to be the last time the site was active.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References