John Bull's Surprise Gold Prospect, The Gardens Station, Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
John Bull's Surprise Gold Prospect	Prospect
The Gardens Station	- not defined -
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

John Bull's Surprise is in very remote country east of the Mordor Pound, about half-way between the Winnecke and Arltunga goldfields. A little used road (track) heads north into rugged country from near Paddy's Jump-Up on the Ross River Station to Arltunga Road. Track winds north through mountains and across creek crossings till it eventually ends a few kilometres west of the Claraville homestead, on the east-west track from the Stuart Highway to The Gardens station homestead, and then Claraville. About half-way along this north trending track, an exploration track, probably barely passable heads west for about 5 kilometres to or near the prospect. Mindat map approximate.

The only modern investigation was by Tanami Exploration NL around 2005, which found 3.5 g/t Au.

The prospect is probably named after John Bull, a prospector on the Winnecke and surrounds goldfield shortly after its discovery in 1902. Bull, as the name suggests was a relentless promoter of his leases, stretching the truth as far as possible till it broke. Information relates to prospects he controlled north-west of the Winnecke Goldfield, around Sloans Gully and Sliding Rock.

Bull headed a syndicate, but fell out with them, after they refused to support the purchase of a lease at Sloans Gully. It appears the syndicate had lost faith they were being told the truth. They started dishonouring his cheques. The syndicate was wound up. Bull continued on, employing four men to sink a shaft, quoting the mine manager, a Mr. Marsh, who stated the mine would be a second Boulder, referring to one of the world's richest gold deposits in Western Australia. Ryan's, Killarney, and the Great John Bull Gold Mine were names found but it is unclear if these were different names for the same mine, or different locations. The mine produced a small tonnage and ounces before being abandoned.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References