Gold stealing was rife on the Kalgoorlie goldfields almost from the day the first prospector arrived. Gold miners would smuggle out what gold they could while working and the thieving was commonly regarded as a miner’s ‘privilege’. As long as men have sought this precious metal there has been gold stealing. In the early days if a worker was caught stealing gold he would never work on another gold mine again. It could mean his and his family’s ruin. However, this never deterred the many and nefarious, and indeed ingenious methods of gold stealing that went on, and still does today.
The Gold Stealing Detection Unit, or Gold Stealing Detective Squad, is a special unit of the Western Australian Police, based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. It investigates criminal activity and allegations at all stages of the gold production process in the state. It was established in 1907, 116yrs ago. Throughout its existence, the Unit has been funded by the Chamber of Mines (now the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA). The current GSDU covers 32 sites across WA and the Northern Territory, stretching as far north as Halls Creek in the Kimberley region and also east into the Tanami Desert, which starts in WA and then extends most of the way across the NT.
Fraser’s Mine is located just under 2kms from Southern Cross on the Southern Cross, Marvel Loch Road in the Yilgarn Goldfields. Although all Gold mines have had their troubles, Fraser’s seems to be dogged by accidents and crime. The mine was first floated in 1889 with 50% of the stock going to Hugh Fraser.
Photo – ABC Goldfields Esperance
Greed and gold
Theft and Murder at Rich WA Mine
When gold stealing squad police got a whiff of something fishy at Fraser’s mine, it must have been a case of déjà vu for old-timers in the Goldfields. Frasers, which has a history as rich as the ore it is produced, has had a chequered life. Tales of gold stealing, fraud, theft, and even murder have been linked to the mine. One man, Ted Hoad was murdered in the infamous mine, killed by a gunshot to the stomach.
In the 1980s there were stories and rumours of its gold being smuggled to Southeast Asia by plane and boat. Closed several times, it is reopened and has a new strike uncovered with golden riches. Estimates vary widely of what the miners produced anything from $80 million to $200 million worth of gold. In the latest gold stealing episode – so far, one man has been convicted – police allege that at least $1 million worth was stolen when a rich underground steam of nearly pure unmapped gold was discovered.
Ten workers from underground miners to shift bosses and a foreman, have been charged with stealing gold from 1994 to 1995.
In the Perth District court this week, former underground miner Gordon Fraser Hutt (41) of Merredin, admitted his role in the theft. He pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing gold while a servant of the mine and twice engaging in a transaction involving the proceeds of a major crime arranging the smelting of stolen gold for others.
Hut didn’t get away with a fortune, about $44,000 and his previous good record and promise to give evidence against the nine others saved him from jail. He was given a three year jail sentence, suspended for two years. Hut admitted to filling a number of empty explosives bags with gold bearing ore and arranging for it to be crushed at Jandakot and smelted. He received $34,000.
On another occasion he made $10,000 when a smaller quantity of stolen gold was smelted producing four small bars, one of which was handed over to police. In one pour 400 to 500 ounces of stolen gold was produced worth at least $250,000. Gold stealing squad officers who charged the 10 miners say the value of the stolen gold was well in excess of $1 million. one of the men said “Name your own figure”. Nine men are still to be dealt with in the courts.
Fraser’s Gold Mine, near Southern Cross 1998 – Photo Flikr
If the rumours and tales of Fraser’s mine are true, then many millions of dollars of stolen gold has disappeared over the years. Back in 1974, questions were asked in Parliament about the theft of a gold bar from a police strong room. The bar had been confiscated by police as part of their investigations into Fraser’s Mine. But it disappeared from a safe on Saturday, March the 31st 1974 never to be found again.
A superintendent and an inspector from the Australian Federal Police were sent from Canberra on the orders of the Attorney General, Lionel Murphy, to investigate Fraser’s mine. The WA Labour Senator later said that the Commonwealth Police officers had told him the matter was potentially explosive. In August 1975 a Sunday Times Front page headline screamed,
Huge Gold Theft in WA Linked to Drugs.
The story was alleged that five bags of gold ore worth about $55,000 were stolen from a shed on the mine to pay drug smugglers. The theft was never solved. It was around that time that a miner, Ted Hoad, was fatally shot in the stomach at the mine with a 303 rifle. No one was ever charged and the case remains open.
Gim! Gold stealing tales and trials of in the Golden West – By Peter J Bridge – Available from Hesperian Press –
Gold stealing was a way of life on the WA goldfields. It still continues in the boardrooms of the corporations in which are ensconced only the ‘best’ people. In our Darwinian economy only the most brazen and successful thieves survive to rob again. Many Westralian fortunes were and are built on these rorts. But it is usually the small miner who got caught. These latter stories have become part of the folklore of the goldfields.
Moya Sharp
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Thanks Moya. Your work is like pure gold to anyone interested in history.
Mick
Great story once again Moya and keep up the good work.
We are blessed with your knowledge and passion, Moya