Billjim Gold Mine, Billjim Goldfield, Nullagine, East Pilbara Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Billjim Gold Mine	Mine
Billjim Goldfield	Gold Field
Nullagine	- not defined -
East Pilbara Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

This entry is loaded for a number of sources which give brief historic details labelled as the Billjim Gold Mine. The name also reflects the general area. The Golden Gate was the other major mine in the area, two kilometres to the east. Development occurred in the very early 1900's, with a number of leases pegged, which appears to have gradually consolidated over the years under the Billjim name. There is also passing references to the Billjim Reward mine, which could be the same mine.

The area is hilly, rugged and remote. In 2015, Millennium Minerals developed a number of short lived shallow pits in the vicinity of Golden Gate, on deposits named after birds. These had been originally named by the prior explorer in 2005, Wedgetail Mining Limited. Evidence suggests some of these pits also were on the Billjim workings.

The lode was 2 to 4 feet wide showing gold and antimony, as the eastern part of the Blue Spec Shear Zone.

J. Triat put through a trial crushing labelled as Billjim in 1912. In 1913, labelled as the 'Billjim Group', prospectors Titta, Doherty and Spence had raised 400 tonnes of ore. Billjim No.1 and Billjim Reward are listed separately by this source for other prospectors, and all on the same line of reef. Owen Connolly is mentioned as attached to the Billjim mine in 1914, raising 477 tonnes for 348 ounces. As GML 195 Billjim 1916, 644 ounces obtained but no name is mentioned. Owen Connolly is still there in 1917.

Apex Gold Mines and Paris Gold Mines took a half interest each in the Billjim lease in 1939. The same year it is reported the mine (or at least the Billjim name) had produced 3010 tonnes of oxidised ore for 2947 ounces of gold, it is assumed the figures reflect the full history of production since the early 1900's. Much machinery was then erected, and a trial crushing followed, but nothing more was found. The outbreak of World War Two, caused a price hike for supplies, and labour shortage, likely ending operations. A large inflow of water was also noted in 1940 in a shaft sunk to 180 feet.

The thought of the struggling prospector was shattered in 1949, when John Dodds rattled into Nullagine across the corrugated gravel tracks in his Rolls Royce. With him was Tom Jessop and an un-named mate. Dodds had apparently made his money from the Blue Spec gold and antimony mine, along the same trend but to the west. They dismantled the battery at Billjim, and moved it to the Victory mine near Corunna Downs, operated by Sterling Gold Mines NL Co of Adelaide. Meanwhile Snowy Roberts had five men employed raising antimony ore from the Billjim mine.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References