Gold Mining History

Since its discovery, the Golden Mile has produced more than 58 million ounces of gold, the fifth largest gold producing region in the world. Today, Northern Star Resources KCGM’s operations directly contribute to Australia being the second largest gold producer in the world, with China being the largest.

At 3.5 kilometres long, 1.5 kilometres wide and more than 600 metres deep, the depth of the Fimiston Open Pit could hold the equivalent of 220,000 Olympic sized swimming pools. This awesome site, together with the historical legacy of the area, draws thousands of tourists to the Goldfields each year.

On 12 February 2021, for the first time, KCGM and the famous Golden Mile came under the ownership of a single Australian company, Northern Star Resources Limited.

Conscious of the Super Pit’s popularity as a tourist attraction, Northern Star Resources’ KCGM has made it accessible to the public through a dedicated lookout and tours of the site. The opportunity to view a working mine site in action, along with the chance to watch a blast, keeps the Northern Star KCGM Super Pit Lookout firmly on the local must-do list.

The first Super Pit Lookout was a small fenced area with a viewing platform constructed 100m south of the original Hainault Tourist Mine, near the Boulder Block. Over the years the Lookout has been moved to accommodate the pit expansion and is now off Mt Monger Road in Boulder (1.8km off the Goldfields Highway).

The Super Pit Lookout is open 7am to 7pm daily. For regular updates on blasting times visit our Facebook page or visit their website,

For more information about tours of Northern Star Resources KCGM’s Fimiston Operations, visit their website.

The Hannans North site is historically significant, as it was one of the first mines in the Kalgoorlie area, with the lease pegged by D. L. Doolette in 1893. The Great Boulder Proprietary Gold Mine held the lease and extracted ore using the original shaft until 1934. In 1935, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company took over the lease and worked the mine until 1952.

From that date onward, the mine was worked on an occasional basis by tributors —groups of independent miners granted permission to work the company-owned mine, with payment based on the value of the ore extracted.

The Hannans North Mine is a single seam of gold-bearing quartz, first discovered after alluvial gold was found in the area. Initially, it was thought that the seam extended only to a depth of 36.6 metres (120 feet), which was the depth to which the original shaft was sunk. As miners continued to work the mine, they discovered that the seam extended deeper than expected, prompting an extension of the shaft. The shaft was eventually completed to a depth of 395 metres (1,300 feet) and comprises 13 levels of mined ore.

In 1991, KCGM acquired the mining lease with the purpose of developing the site as a tourist mine.

Evolution of a tourist mine

The Hainault Gold Mine, one of the most successful mines in the Eastern Goldfields, ceased mining in 1968. In 1973, it was reopened as the Hainault Tourist Mine, where, for nearly 20 years, retired Kalgoorlie miners conducted underground tours and rock-drilling demonstrations for more than 750,000 visitors.

As the Super Pit continued to expand, the Hainault was eventually consumed by the ever-growing operation, bringing an end to its time as a tourist attraction.

Recognising the importance of showcasing the region’s rich mining heritage to visitors, the leaseholders, Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines (KCGM), set out to establish a new tourist attraction in the Eastern Goldfields.

Five shafts were considered as potential sites. To assess the condition of the underground workings, a down-hole camera was used to inspect the drives and workings within each shaft. Despite having been dormant for many years, Hannans North was found to be in the best condition of the five sites.

Its close proximity to Kalgoorlie-Boulder, combined with its significant historical importance, made Hannans North the preferred location for the new tourist facility.

Mining displays from across the Golden Mile, along with historical equipment, artefacts and records relating to the region’s mining history, were collected and relocated to the site. The equipment was assembled at Hannans North, creating what is now known as Hannans North Tourist Mine.

From 1991 until 2011, Hannans North Tourist Mine was owned and operated by the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame (MHoF). In 2012, the site was placed into care and maintenance.

In early 2013, Hannans North Tourist Mine reopened its gates, allowing visitors to once again explore the site and experience the history of mining in the Eastern Goldfields.

Underground tours at Hannans North Tourist Mine ceased in 2012 and will not be reopened. The site now operates as an open-air museum, preserving and showcasing the region’s mining heritage for future generations.