Majeed Gold Mine, Halls Creek Goldfield, Halls Creek Shire, Western Australia, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Majeed Gold Mine	Mine
Halls Creek Goldfield	Ore Field
Halls Creek Shire	Shire
Western Australia	State
Australia	Country

Mukarram Jah was an Indian prince: the Nazim of Hyderabad. Born into incredible richness, he spent his youth ploughing through fast cars and fast women at a rate ten times the yearly salary of the Indian Prime Minister. All was not well however at the palace. After India gained independence, a series of socialist leaning governments began limiting the powers of the regional Indian royal families, and ending the tax breaks they had enjoyed. Jah had wanted to join the military, but this was refused as at the time there was a border dispute with China. The government feared any capture of Jah, would be a public relations coup for China.

Instead Jah went on a trip to Australia, and found himself near Kalbarri on the west coast. It was spring, and the incredible wildflowers were in season. The area reminded him of Hyderabad, just without all the people. He purchased the Murchison House Station just inland from Kalbarri, and moved into the homestead. He liked the isolation, and the way Australians had no airs and graces, and treated him as just another local. Money was no object (at least until it ran out later in life), and vast sums was spent on the station, often wasted as the Jah had little knowledge of farming. He was particularly taken to driving D9 bulldozers, and would often spend the day carving tracks around the station for his amusement.

He also liked gold, and decided to combine both loves, by purchasing a mining lease near Halls Creek in the 1980's. This was on the Ruby Queen line of lode, some 30 kilometres east of Halls Creek (see Ruby Queen Gold Mine Mindat locality). He named it Majeed after his Turkish grand father.

Several million dollars was spent on equipment, permits, staff, sheds and dongas were erected, and operations conducted with great secrecy. If a mechanic was needed, then one would be flown to the site from Perth by charter jet. A 20 litre can of hydraulic fluid was also flown to the site by the same method, and was probably one of several instances of this. David Michaels was appointed his personal assistant at the mine, former Queens Guard, with a clipped English accent, described by the source as similar to Captain Peacock in 'Are You Being Served'.

The mine was never a payable proposition, and most of the time was spent on Jah's bulldozing interests, as he carved tracks all over the lease, and nearby areas. When bored of this, the lease was sold.

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