Built on Gold – A history of Western Mining

A personal account of one of Australia’s best-known mining engineers. He writes about his early association with Gold Mines of Australia Limited, and the formation in 1933 of Western Mining Corporation Limited. The book recalls the exciting days of the finding and proving of bauxite deposits in the Darling range, the formation of Alcoa of Australia Ltd in 1961, and the first long-term contract for the export of iron ore in 1966.

ISBN:- 0 85572 137 5 Published in 1983

The following photograph from the above book is the first Western Mining Office in Kalgoorlie in MacDonald Street, Kalgoorlie taken in 1936. The building was originally Mrs Fernie’s Boarding House.

First Western Mining Office in Kalgoorlie

Part of the first Western Mining Office Kalgoorlie – 2018

The building is still there today and has been incorporated into a larger modern building. You can see the apes of the front roof in the first photograph remains in the middle of the second image.

Also from this book is this Steam Powered diamond drill at Reedys in 1934, later the Triton GM Ltd.

Diamond Drill Reedy’s 1934 – Photo SLWA

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

Latest posts by Moya Sharp (see all)

• Blood on the Mulga Plains: The Last Day of John Sutherland - 28/02/2026
• A Brother’s Return in Mourning: Tragedy on the Coolgardie Goldfields - 28/02/2026
• The Contract at Old Warden Shaft - 28/02/2026