Leonora

Mining town in central Western Australia, 833 km/518 mi northeast of Perth; population (2001) 2,000. Current industries include gold, nickel, and government services.

First explored by settlers in 1869, it was not until the discovery of gold in 1896 that Leonora emerged as a town. To the west of Leonora was the ‘Sons of Gwalia’ mine, one of the largest underground mines in Western Australia, which was the mainstay of the town between 1896 and 1963. The mine was originally managed by Herbert Hoover, who later became president of the USA. Mining activity increased in the 1970s with the discovery of nickel in the area.