State batteries program
Between the late 1890s and the 1950s the WA Government established 73 state batteries across mining areas. These ore crushing facilities supported small-scale miners and prospectors who lacked the scale of operations to justify their own facilities.
In the late 1980s, the state batteries were vested in several State Government agencies, including The Perth Mint which has responsibility for 22 of the sites.
We have identified that some of these sites require maintenance works and further investigation.
Our priority is to make the sites safe and secure and, as part of our refreshed corporate strategy, we have commenced a program to address any risks identified.
In June 2023, the Gold Corporation Board approved the delivery of a baseline knowledge assessment across the sites under its management order. The assessments were completed in April 2024.
This process has provided a detailed picture of each site’s risk and liabilities, which helps inform the program of works and the need for any further investigations.
We are engaging closely with the WA Government and other stakeholders as we progress these works.
Planned works at each site
In 2025 The Perth Mint will launch geotechnical and essential safety works across several of the 22 state battery sites under its management.
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Coolgardie
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for April – May 2025. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Cue
Essential safety work is planned for this site from mid to late 2025. This may include fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials and unstable structures.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Kalgoorlie
Essential safety work is planned for this site from mid to late 2025. This may include fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Laverton
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for April – May 2025. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Essential safety work is planned for this site from mid to late 2025. This may include site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials and unstable structures.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Leonora (townsite)
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for April – May 2025. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Leonora (highway)
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work (walking on site, drone survey) is planned for April – May 2025. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Linden
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for 2026. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Essential safety work is planned for this site in 2026. This may include site clean-up, removing any potential hazardous materials, removing remnant buildings and structures, filling pits, levelling retaining walls and ground surfaces, covering/sealing open shafts.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Marvel Loch
Essential safety work is planned for this site from mid to late 2025. This may include fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials and unstable structures.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Meekatharra
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for April – May 2025. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Essential safety work is planned for this site from mid to late 2025. This may include fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials, removing remnant buildings and structures, filling pits, levelling retaining walls and ground surfaces.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Norseman
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is planned for April – May 2025. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Ravelstone-Peak Hill
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is set for 2026. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes confirming ground stability for future works and determining whether there are any cavities associated with historical workings. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely for future operations
Essential safety work is planned for this site in 2025 and 2026. This includes fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials and unstable structures.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Wiluna
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work (walking on site, drone survey) is planned for April – July 2025.
Essential safety work for this site is set for 2026. This may include fencing, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials, removing remnant structures, filling pits, levelling retaining walls and ground surfaces.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
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Yarri
Non-intrusive geotechnical investigation work is set for 2026. The geotechnical work will involve investigating site and ground conditions, both above and below the surface. This includes identifying any abandoned mine shafts and confirming ground stability. The purpose of this work is to ensure that machinery and equipment can be deployed safely, if required, in the future.
Essential safety work is planned for is set for 2026. This may include, site clean-up and removing any potential hazardous materials, removing remnant buildings and structures, filling pits, levelling retaining walls and ground surfaces.
Map data from OpenStreetMap.
Contact us
If you have state batteries related questions, please contact the team below.
State batteries
