Thar’s Gold in Them Thar Walls

PERTH, Australia — A new Australian gold strike was declared Thursday--100 ounces stuck in the walls and ceilings of the Western Australian Mint.

During the 86 years the mint has operated, the gold vaporized and became impregnated in the walls and ceilings of a factory section, which is soon to be demolished.

John Horgan, chairman of the Western Australia Development Corp., did not disclose how he plans to get the gold out of the aging structure. He said most of the vaporized gold--valued at about $32,000-- was lost during the early days of the mint when refining techniques were less efficient. It will make a handy windfall to go toward the cost of building a new mint, he said