Poona

Poona is the home of WA emeralds - most of Western Australia’s emerald production comes from Poona! 

It is the best known and highest quality emerald deposit in the State but emeralds haven’t been found in any significant numbers to sustain large-scale mining. As such Poona is dotted with the signs of several former emerald mines ever since the precious gem was discovered there in 1912. Occasional mining continues to take place.

Note that Poona is currently privately leased and visitors can't fossick on the leased area without permission from the current lease holder.

Fossicking and prospecting requires a miner’s permit, which must be obtained from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety - www.dmirs.wa.gov.au.