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...

Koorda and Districts Museum and Historical Society

A museum in the heart of corn dolly country

This is a diverse collection for such a small town, lovingly maintained by a group of volunteers. The Museum is laid out like the old Koorda & Districts Centennial Hospital, and even includes the...

Kulin Branch - Wildflower Society of WA

A flora herbarium created by local wildflower enthusiasts.

Discover the unique Kulin wattle, Acacia kulinensis and the intriguing Black Toothbrush and Grevillea hookeriana amongst files of over 2000 wheatbelt flora species, which have been pressed and...

NEXIS (Narrogin Exhibition Space)

View local and Australian art at this nexis.

This is a wonderful art collection in a heritage listed building. NEXIS (Narrogin Exhibition Space), located in the Town Hall complex, hosts exhibitions and fund-raising events. The Shire’s art...

Brookton Museum and Heritage Centre

Former Police Station & Quarters, now the Brookton Museum & Heritage Centre

This is an inviting old Police Station and residence, and a collection which engages visitors with the history of Brookton, its people, its environment and its history. The display changes each year...