State Batteries in Western Australia explained

State Batteries in Western Australia were government owned and run ore-crushing facilities for the gold mining industry. Western Australia was the only Australian state to provide batteries to assist gold prospectors and small mines. They existed in almost all of the mineral fields of Western Australia.

State Batteries were gold batteries where ore was crushed to separate gold ore. Stamp mills were gauged by the number of heads they had in operation for the crushing of ore.^[1]

Many of the government operated batteries had very short operating times, some for a year or two, while a few were 50 years or more in operation. They were part of the Western Australian Department of Mines operations.^[2]

Origins

The first private battery in Kalgoorlie was constructed at the Croesus mine in 1894.As early as 1897 there was consideration of ore-crushing facilities being funded by private or government means.^{[3] [4]} The first government battery was constructed at Norseman in 1898.^[5] But by 1906 there was a Batteries Inquiry Board.^[6]

Decline

In the 1930s, despite the depression, a significant number still operated.^[7] There were close to 100 operating Batteries in Western Australia – either private or Government in 1949, and by 1958 there were less than 50.^[8] Currently there are no operating batteries.

By 1982 a Government review of State Battery operations^[9] eventuated in a functional review,^[10] and the eventual closure of State Batteries in 1987.^{[11] [12]}

List

The following State Batteries are known to have existed in Western Australia.^[13]

• Bamboo 1913–1962^[14]
• Black Range-^{[15] [16]} . see also Sandstone
• Bulong 1898–1899^[17]
• Carlaminda
• Coolgardie 1904^[18]
• Cue 1919–1968^[19]
• Darlot 1901-1980s^[20]
• Desdemona 1909–1912^[21]
• Devon 1908–?^[22]
• Donnybrook 1900–1904^{[23] [24]}
• Duketon 1905–1907^[25]
• Dumpling Gully^[26]
• Kalgoorlie 1932^{[27] [28] [29]}
• Kalpini 1906–1911^{[30] [31]}
• Laverton 1902 Known to be operating between 1916 and 1941.^{[32] [33]}
• Leonora 1898^{[34] [35]}
• Linden 1908^[36]
• Marble Bar 1910–?^[37]
• Marvel Loch – Known to be operating between 1912 and 1950^{[38] [39]}
• Meekatharra 1901– ^{[40] [41]}
• Messenger's Patch 1909–?^[42]
• Menzies 1904 – ?^{[43] [44]}
• Mt Egerton State Battery 1912–1921^[45]
• Mt Ida 1898–1953^[46]
• Mt Jackson 1912–1921^[47]
• Mt Keith 1913–1928^[48]
• Mt Sir Samuel 1910–1921
• Mulline 1898–1921^[49]
• Mulwarrie 1901–1920^[50]
• Nannine 1907–1912^[51]
• Niagara 1900–1922^[52]
• Norseman 1898–? modernised in 1950^[53]
• Ora Banda 1913–?^[54]
• Paddington 1903–?^[55]
• Paynes Find 1912–?^[56]
• Paynesville 1900–1902^[57]
• Pig well 1904–1912^[58]
• Pinjin 1905–1914^[59]
• Quinns 1911–1920^[60]
• Randalls 1905–1908^[61]
• Ravelstone^[62] -Peak Hill^[63] 1917–1965
• Ravensthorpe ? –^[64]
• Sandstone 1911^[65]
• South Greenbushes 1906^[66]
• Southern Cross 1903–1905^[67]
• Tuckabianna 1918–?^[68]
• Tuckanurra 1898–1923^[69]
• Warriedar 1940 ?^[70]
• Widgiemooltha 1900–1911^{[71] [72]}
• Wiluna 1904–1950^[73]
• Yalgoo 1898–1941^[74]
• Yarri 1905–?^[75]
• Yerilla 1898–1920^[76]
• Youanmi 1909–1940^[77]
• Yundamindera 1903–1907^[78]

See also

• Hints to Prospectors and Owners of Treatment Plants

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mining History Photographs, Illustrations and Diagrams . MS Book and Mineral Company . 2021-01-24 .
2. Book: Ware, Harry . 1976 . History of state batteries of Western Australia . 757686928 .
3. Editorial considers the provision of publicly funded versus privately funded batteries. Golden age, 13 Dec. 1897, p. 4,
4. Bogle, William. Government crushing batteries. Letter supporting government funding of batteries. West Australian, 10 June 1897, p. 6
5. Web site: AU WA A241 - Bamboo Creek State Battery. State Records Office of WA. 4 June 2018.
6. Western Australia. State Batteries Inquiry Board. Report and recommendations of the State Batteries Inquiry Board. Perth [W.A.] : The Board, 1906. in Battye Library
7. Includes information on State Batteries, prospecting activity and has advertisements in margins. Published as centrefold (p. 24-25) in the Western Mail 11 May 1933.
8. page 263 of Official Yearbook)
9. http://aeon.sro.wa.gov.au/Investigator/Details/Item_Detail.asp?Entity=Global&Search=state%20batteries&Op=All&Page=1&Id=427540&SearchPage=Global
10. http://aeon.sro.wa.gov.au/Investigator/Details/Item_Detail.asp?Entity=Global&Search=state%20batteries&Op=All&Page=1&Id=427508&SearchPage=Global
11. http://aeon.sro.wa.gov.au/Investigator/Details/Item_Detail.asp?Entity=Global&Search=state%20batteries&Op=All&Page=1&Id=426356&SearchPage=Global
12. State government to close nine of the 13 state batteries. West Australian, 4 September 1987, p. 29
13. Book: Higham, Geoffrey J. . Where WAS that? An historical gazetteer of Western Australia . 2004 . 2004 . Geoproject Solutions . Winthrop . 1st . 978-0-646-44186-3 . 224207479 .
14. News: Some rich crushings. . . Perth . 20 August 1933 . 19 April 2012 . 3 Section: First Section . National Library of Australia.
15. News: The Black Range Battery . . XXI . 1,045 . Western Australia . 6 January 1906 . 17 July 2023 . 21 . National Library of Australia.
16. News: Black Range State Battery. . . 23 . 7 . Western Australia . 8 September 1915 . 17 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
17. News: Some Bulong crushings. . . WA . 27 February 1906 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
18. News: Coolgardie State Battery. . . Kalgoorlie, WA . 12 August 1930 . 20 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
19. News: Mining. . . WA . 11 April 1931 . 19 April 2012 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
20. Web site: Darlot Goldfield, Leonora Shire, Western Australia, Australia . 2018-07-28 . Mindat.org . 2021-01-24 .
21. News: Desdemona. . . WA . 23 November 1909 . 19 April 2012 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
22. News: Linden. . . WA . 6 October 1908 . 19 April 2012 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
23. News: Donnybrook Public Battery . . IX . 810 . Western Australia . 1 November 1900 . 18 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
24. News: Donnybrook . . 16 . 4,574 . Western Australia . 2 November 1900 . 18 July 2023 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
25. News: Duketon State Battery. . . WA . 11 July 1905 . 19 April 2012 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
26. News: Greenbushes Mining Notes . . 18 . 56 . Western Australia . 9 January 1906 . 18 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
27. News: Recent crushings. . . Perth . 10 March 1935 . 19 April 2012 . 19 Section: First Section . National Library of Australia.
28. News: Good yields. . . Perth . 27 September 1938 . 19 April 2012 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
29. Web site: AU WA A981 - State Batteries - Kalgoorlie. State Records Office of WA. 4 June 2018.
30. News: Kalpini State Battery. . . WA . 25 December 1906 . 19 April 2012 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
31. News: Mining and stocks and shares. . . Perth . 2 May 1911 . 19 April 2012 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
32. News: Laverton State Battery. . . XII . 680 . Western Australia . 20 May 1916 . 8 March 2017 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
33. News: Laverton State Battery . . 47 . 12,135 . Western Australia . 22 May 1941 . 8 March 2017 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
34. Known to be operating between 1907 and 1936 News: Leonora State Battery. . . 8 . 452 . Western Australia . 26 January 1907 . 8 March 2017 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
35. News: Leonora State Battery . . 42 . 2426 . Western Australia . 15 December 1936 . 8 March 2017 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
36. News: Linden State Battery. . . Kalgoorlie, WA . 5 May 1931 . 19 April 2012 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
37. News: State battery returns. . . WA . 5 September 1911 . 19 April 2012 . 30 . National Library of Australia.
38. News: Marvel Loch. . . 18 . 5321 . Western Australia . 23 October 1912 . 8 March 2017 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
39. A new battery established in 1949/1950 News: Crushings at Marvel Loch . . 2734 . Perth . 23 July 1950 . 8 March 2017 . 29 (Sporting Section) . National Library of Australia.
40. News: Mining . . 7 . 1982 . Western Australia . 13 May 1901 . 18 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
41. News: Meekathara State Battery Returns . . II . 83 . Western Australia . 17 August 1922 . 18 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
42. News: Yalgoo goldfield. . . Perth . 2 June 1910 . 19 April 2012 . 7. THIRD. National Library of Australia.
43. News: Menzies State Battery. . . XIII . 651 . Western Australia . 7 May 1907 . 8 March 2017 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
44. News: Menzies State Battery. . . XX . 998 . Western Australia . 30 December 1913 . 8 March 2017 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
45. News: Mining news. . . Perth . 11 October 1922 . 19 April 2012 . 7 . National Library of Australia.
46. News: The mining industry. . . Perth . 17 September 1912 . 19 April 2012 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
47. News: Yilgarn. . . Perth . 18 April 1913 . 19 April 2012 . 21 . National Library of Australia.
48. News: Mining news. . . Perth . 26 April 1922 . 19 April 2012 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
49. News: Minister on Tour. . . XXX . 3,778 . Western Australia . 26 May 1914 . 8 March 2017 . 8 . National Library of Australia.
50. 1905 complaint by prospector re condition and operating standards News: Mulwarrie State Battery. . . 337 . Kalgoorlie . 19 February 1905 . 8 March 2017 . 6 . National Library of Australia.
51. News: The Nannine State Battery. . . I . 64 . Western Australia . 14 May 1907 . 8 March 2017 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
52. News: Niagara State Battery. . . XIV . 3894 . Western Australia . 26 June 1907 . 17 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
53. News: Norseman State Battery . . 56 . 15,789 . Western Australia . 12 October 1950 . 8 March 2017 . 1 . National Library of Australia.
54. News: Ora Banda State Battery. . . Perth . 29 July 1934 . 19 April 2012 . 13 Section: First Section . National Library of Australia.
55. News: The Paddington Battery Fire. . . Perth . 14 February 1899 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
56. News: Mining. . . Perth . 27 April 1939 . 19 April 2012 . 48 . National Library of Australia.
57. News: Public Battery for Paynesville. . . 4 . 15 . Western Australia . 9 September 1899 . 17 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
58. News: State Battery returns. . . WA . 14 December 1909 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
59. News: December yields. . . WA . 3 February 1914 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
60. News: State batterie. . . Perth . 12 November 1910 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
61. News: New Santa Claus crushing . . Perth . 4 December 1909 . 19 April 2012 . 9 . National Library of Australia.
62. News: Opening of Ravelstone Battery. . . II . 16 . Western Australia . 23 December 1899 . 18 July 2023 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
63. News: Peak Hill State battery . . 4 . 17 . Western Australia . 23 November 1912 . 17 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
64. from evidence – there never was a state battery, it was at commercial mines that batteries existed – such as
65. News: State batteries. . . Perth . 18 February 1929 . 19 April 2012 . 13 . National Library of Australia.
66. News: Greenbushes Mining Notes . . 18 . 64 . Western Australia . 27 January 1906 . 18 July 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
67. 1903 opening – News: Telegraphic. . . 8 . 19030 . Western Australia . 1 December 1903 . 8 March 2017 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
68. News: Mining news. . . Perth . 26 July 1917 . 19 April 2012 . 4 . National Library of Australia.
69. News: Diary. . . 519 . Western Australia . 11 February 1898 . 18 July 2023 . 2 . National Library of Australia.
70. News: Yalgoo Goldfield. . . Perth . 30 November 1940 . 20 April 2012 . 11 . National Library of Australia.
71. News: Government Battery, Widgiemoultha. . . Perth . 29 June 1907 . 20 April 2012 . 21 . National Library of Australia.
72. News: Coolgardie Mining Notes. . . WA . 12 November 1907 . 20 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
73. News: Wiluna State Battery. . . Kalgoorlie, WA . 19 November 1935 . 19 April 2012 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
74. News: Yalgoo State Battery. . . Perth . 12 April 1936 . 19 April 2012 . 17 Section: First Section . National Library of Australia.
75. News: Yarri. . . Perth . 13 January 1935 . 19 April 2012 . 3 Section: First Section . National Library of Australia.
76. News: Yerilla. . . WA . 25 December 1900 . 19 April 2012 . 49 . National Library of Australia.
77. News: Youanmi. . . Perth . 21 July 1916 . 19 April 2012 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
78. News: Yundamindera. . . Kalgoorlie, WA . 19 August 1919 . 19 April 2012 . 5 . National Library of Australia.