“There’s gold in those hills!” That was the call that started the gold rush, but these days the precious metal is being carved from huge open pits as a group of Year 12 ATAR Earth and Environmental students recently observed.

Mr Gerrish and Ms Piggott led the group on a four-day field trip through Western Australia’s eastern goldfields, exploring the region’s unique geological features, extensive mining operations and colourful history.

The students were ceremoniously welcomed to town by observing a blast at the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines Super Pit. Massive ore-ladened dump trucks trundled out of the pit with loads destined to contain around a golf ball size amount of gold.

The following day saw the group explore the geology around the former mining townships of Kanowna and Broad Arrow before heading out for an afternoon of emerald fossicking.

After bunking down at Fairbridge Village’s Kalgoorlie Camp School, Friday provided one of the highlights of the trip when the students and teachers drove to the Southern Goldfields for a tour of Mincor’s underground nickel mining operations at the Cassini Mine.

Students donned hardhats and headlamps, hi-vis vests, and work boots to head deep underground and observe the workings of an operational mine.

A Friday night BBQ in Kalgoorlie prior to a very early train departure the next morning rounded off the adventure.