Unexpected Gold Mine, Mount Ida Goldfield, Menzies Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Unexpected Gold Mine	Mine
Mount Ida Goldfield	Ore Field
Menzies Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

The Unexpected Gold Mine is near the present day Timoni mining camp. It and the Unexpected South were two of the richest mines on the goldfield.

The deposit was discovered probably around 1898, by well known prospector Phil Saunders. He sank a few feet then abandoned the show. Bill Bonham and E.P.Tregurtha sank further and opened the deposit out. Tregurtha sold out, and Bonham soon followed, transferring the mine to Richard (Dick) Gapes and J. Anderson, who then developed the mine from about 1904. One source states the mine in Bonham's time was flooded out forcing them to leave. The mine is next to an ephemeral creek and as will be seen was suspect to flooding events.

Gapes by all accounts from several sources was a congenial fellow. One source states : 'A person of considerable note in town this week was Dick Gapes of the rich Unexpected Mt Ida. As usual he helped in a generous way to brighten the business aspect of Menzies, and many a thirst stricken citizen found the quencher he was in search of while colliding with the way back mine owner in various pubs.' Gapes was an early prospector at Darlot, also 25 Mile, Lefroy and Bulong. In 1902, with mates Smith and Fish, they uncovered 3000 pounds worth of gold at the Black Hills, 16 miles from Lefroy.

Gapes owned five/eights of the mine, while Anderson and possibly others were the remainder. In 1907, Francis Ridd is noted as one of the owners. He had allegedly killed one his mining partners at the Federation Mine a short distance to the north in 1903, but was acquitted by a jury.

By the end of 1908, the mine had produced 1667 tonnes of ore yielding 5697 ounces of gold. The shaft was down to 250 feet, on a lenticular reef. Sulphides had not been met with at depth. The reef at the 100 foot level trended north-south, and dipped slightly west. Other lodes were found at various levels.

Regular and rich crushings continued over the years until 1914. In this year, another deluge hit Mount Ida. Both the Unexpected and Unexpected South workings were flooded, leading to the total collapse of the underground workings. Needing a substantial new investment to re-open the mines, they were abandoned.

In 1916, a local syndicate was formed to re-open the two mines. They also controlled the Meteor mine. 3000 pounds was raised as working capital. Their intention was to sink a new shaft to 500 feet.

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