History · Geology
About Kalgoorlie–Boulder
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder Golden Mile in Western Australia is one of the world’s richest single gold districts (~50 Moz historical production) and a major source of Au-Ag tellurides — calaverite, sylvanite, krennerite — alongside abundant native gold.
Geology
The deposits are Archean orogenic Au-Te lode systems in the Eastern Goldfields of the Yilgarn Craton. Telluride-rich pulses produced an unusual concentration of Au-Te species in shear-hosted quartz veins.
Notable Minerals
Calaverite (locally dominant Au-Te), sylvanite, krennerite, native gold (visible in matrix), pyrite (often Au-bearing), tellurium (rare native), quartz. The famous “Kalgoorlie tellurides” were initially mistaken for low-grade ore and discarded — until tellurium chemistry was understood.
Collector Notes
Kalgoorlie specimens are central to telluride collecting alongside Cripple Creek and Săcărâmb. The Golden Mile remains active; specimens are limited but continue to surface.
Minerals Produced Here
- Agate (玛瑙)
- Amethyst (紫水晶)
- Calaverite (碲金矿)
- Chalcedony (玉髓)
- Citrine (黄水晶)
- Gold (Native) (自然金)
- Jasper (碧玉)
- Pyrite (黄铁矿)
- Quartz (石英 / 水晶)
- Rose Quartz (玫瑰石英)
- Sylvanite (碲金银矿)
