Mining and Geology

Observer’s Book of Geology – I.O. Evans

A 1968 edition of this manual in geology which serves as a great introduction for all players not just young ones.

The celebrated series is now an area for collectors. There is an Australian based equivalent of which we normally have a copy [take a look] … this edition whilst general is based around UK geology.

Published by Warne etc., London. Pocket sized, hardback, good jacket, 272 pages, illustrated throughout in black and white and some very nice colour illustrations, particularly the mineral examples. A very good copy.

Welshman, Evans was fellow of the Royal Geological Society where they know their rocks.

Geological work of surprising substance

$20.00

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In the Shadows of Murchison – Aspects of Rosebery’s 100 Years 1893-1993- Geof Jay [The story of the great Rosebery Mine in Tasmania and the Rosebery Community]

A substantial high-quality item, self published by the author we hope Pasminco gave him some help. The many illustrations from photographs, geological maps, mine layout’s etc are so good.

Folio size, 152 pages, perfect bound soft cover but with a jacket for protection. A fine copy of a now scarce item.

For those not familiar with Rosebery and the mine the scale of the operation and the depth of history will be a real surprise. From the discovery of the ore body by Tom McDonald in the late 19thC through massive development in the early 20thC and the later modernisation of the mine and processing we get a complete picture of one hundred years of continuous operation. Still going strong today – it is a big mountain, and it seems full of valuable resource. And the town itself has seen some characters and has a community spirit bar none.

Important mining record for which we must applaud Geof Jay

$75.00

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Azurite “Sun” – Copper Mineral, the form, Unique to Malbunka Copper Mine near Areyonga, Northern Territory.

A very nice clean example of a decent sized azurite sun with a couple of smaller examples in the usual kaolinite matrix from the Malbunka Mine.

Azurite formed by the oxidation and weathering of copper deposits – Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 and this specific indeed unique “sun” structure formed at depth and with high pressure. Monclinic and comes with a variety of colour depths this one Royal to Dark Blue.

The main sun is 45 mm in diameter and has good crystal definition around its edge. The whole sample weighs 80 gm.

Azurite “Sun” structure unique to Australia.

$120.00

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Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

Fraser’s Gold Mine is south-west of Southern Cross in Western Australia. Gold was mined here from 1886, discovered by Hugh Fraser. It was the first large scale gold mine in the Eastern Goldfields region if not the colony. Fraser’s Gold Mining Company was floated in 1889, Hugh Fraser given half the shares. Things did not initially go well and further capital was required – Hugh Fraser refused the request and he had control. He was eventually persuaded but not without receiving concessions, security, seat on the Board etc – sound familiar. He died penniless seemingly.

The balance of the history is equally interesting but too long for here. The mining activities were eventually brought together in a “big pit” and was inactive in the St Barbara portfolio. May be the operation sold to Hanking and then on to another Chinese operator – not sure … any help received with thanks

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8cm by 8cm.

Good image of the historically important Fraser’s Gold Mine.

$80.00

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Australian Opal in Coal Matrix – Antique Microscope Slide – W Hemingway – Derby England – c1910

W Hemingway was among a group of thin section microscope slide preparers who specialised in Coal measure inclusions in the North of England at the turn of the 19thC.

This slide is an unusual one for W Hemingway given the Australian subject. And an unusual slide as one could expect the occurrence of opal within coal measures is quite rare and only likely to arise where coal formations are close to if not adjacent to opal fields. There is a hint of coal at Arckaringa north of Coober Pedy … we are not sure where else … so would be interested to hear from anyone with a clue.

Slide is nicely prepared as would be expected of Hemingway [Preparer included in primary reference Bracegirdle – example Plate 21].

Rare slide of a rare occurrence opal in coal – circa 100+years.

$80.00

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Botryoidal Goethite – Yaraka Queensland

The mineral Goethite or iron oxy-hydroxide here in a nice botryoidal (resembling grapes) crystal form.

Found in the Yaraka Boulder Opal Field 100km east of Blackhall, Queensland. Last count remote Yaraka had an official population of 20 – they all get along.

Small fist sized weighing 350 gm.

Good lustre to the botryoidal form

$50.00

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Observer’s Book of Geology – I.O. Evans

In the Shadows of Murchison – Aspects of Rosebery’s 100 Years 1893-1993- Geof Jay [The story of the great Rosebery Mine in Tasmania and the Rosebery Community]

Azurite “Sun” – Copper Mineral, the form, Unique to Malbunka Copper Mine near Areyonga, Northern Territory.

Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

Australian Opal in Coal Matrix – Antique Microscope Slide – W Hemingway – Derby England – c1910

Botryoidal Goethite – Yaraka Queensland

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