Randwick (Waite Kauri), Mertondale Goldfield, Leonora Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Randwick (Waite Kauri)	- not defined -
Mertondale Goldfield	Ore Field
Leonora Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Randwick is 10 kilometres east of Mertondale, and can be accessed via a minor gravel road heading due east from Mertondale.

It is noted recently as a nickel/cobalt laterite prospect. In 2008, a bulk sample was mined and sent off for testing, leaving behind a small pit. JORC resources are 2.53 Mt @0.7% nickel and 0.05% cobalt amounting to 17 000 tonnes of contained nickel and 1520 tonnes of cobalt (at a 0.5% Ni cut-off). Most operating nickel mines in Western Australia operate at 1-3% Ni. It is relatively close to the huge Murrin Murrin Nickel Mine.

It is also the location of minor and intermittent gold extraction. At least four groupings of alluvial workings, shafts and small battery sand remnants extend south of the nickel pit for a couple of kilometres. These were named Randwick Hill, Minara Star, Mighty Splash and at the southern most end again Waite Kauri but this time for gold. Other names were also found.

None lasted long, although they were probably prospector shows at various times. The Randwick Gold Mine was owned by Castledine and Sons, with a small open cut, and just east a main shaft. It was active from 1903, but is deserted by 1906. A ten head battery was erected at the site, which appears to have been an over capitalisation considering it was abandoned shortly after. In 1912, a few prospectors only is noted. Another crushing came from the centre in 1917. The Muriel lease in 1911, and Anglo Saxon is noted with a 5 head battery in 1904, and crushing in 1911. The Mighty Splash saw a crushing in 1939.

In total the Randwick area has produced 13 750.36 tonnes of ore at 25.02 g/t yielding 359 kg of gold.

Extending north-west from Randwick to a point marked by the Royal Harry Gold Mine historic workings is a wide north-west to south-east belt, of minor historic workings and modern gold anomalisms hidden in the mulga scrub. 200 metres south-east of Royal Harry is the British King East; then 3 kilometres south south-east from here Fair Chance; then 3.5 kilometres east south-east Moonshine, and 200 metres further east Buck's First. Several low grade anomalisms have been found by modern exploration companies between this last mine and Randwick.

The area lies on the western limb of the Benalla Anticline, within a sequence of felsic to intermediate volcanics, intruded by gabbro to dolerite sills. The number of small prospects mentioned focussed on small cross cutting quartz veins within the gabbro-dolerite.

The area lies between the Keith-Kilkenny tectonic lineament to the west, and Celia tectonic lineament to the east.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References