WA School of Mines Mineral Museum Overview

WA School of Mines Mineral Museum

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Be mesmerised by minerals.

More than just rocks of the region, this collection is a learning tool, with mineral specimens from all around the world, housed in a beautiful heritage building. The minerals include sulphides, like pyrite or fool’s gold; carbonates such as calcspar and dolomite; and native elements such as graphite. Unfortunately, there are no diamonds in the collection! The mineral samples were used as teaching aids at the WA School of Mines, which first opened in Coolgardie in 1902, and then relocated to Kalgoorlie a few years later.

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Address:

117 Egan Street
Kalgoorlie WA 6430
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9088 6170

Email:

WASM-MECEAdministration@curtin.edu.au

Opening Hours

Mon to Fri 9am - 4:30pm

Malachite from Murin Murin

Viridescent deposit

Malachite, a carbonate of copper, is one of the oldest known green pigments. Malachite was used as an indicator of the presence of copper. This sample is from the Anaconda copper mine near Murin Murin...

Staurolite

Twinning

Staurolite, a silicate, is used in geology as an 'index mineral'. This means it is used to estimate depth, temperature and pressure changes to rock, like movement of the earth’s crust or magma...

Pyrite from Broad Arrow

Listen to the rocks talk

Minerals like galena and pyrite were used as conductors in early crystal radios. If you wrap chicken wire around a large pyrite sample and shape it into a dish, you can pick up radio waves. It is as...

Merredin Military Museum

Commemorating the armed services

For military buffs, this place has an interesting collection of items from World War I to the Vietnam War. You won't be able to miss ‘Huey’ an Iroquois UH-1H and the Kiowa, two Vietnam War era...

Signpost Racing Museum

A passion for horse racing

This is the perfect place to research local horse racing history. The Museum began after the Palace Hotel was renovated and a diverse collection of racing items were uncovered. The collection includes...

Coolgardie Visitors Centre & Goldfields Exhibition Museum

A local collection housed in the historic old Courthouse or Gold fever, old geezers, heroes and bold pieces.

From a tent town to bricks and mortar, the old Coolgardie Courthouse unpacks the history of the 1890's gold fever and is a treasure trove of items from local collectors. Learn about Coolgardie’s...

Merredin Railway Station Museum and Historical Society Overview

Merredin Museum and Historical Society Incorporated

A railway museum inside an old railway station building.

Stand on the railway platform which once welcomed steam and diesel passenger trains. Imagine a time when rail travel was the cheapest and easiest way to travel. Be immersed in the fascinating history...