Day Dream Smelter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Day Dream Smelter |
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The ruins of the Day Dream Mine smelter, 2013
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| Location | Por. PML 2, Broken Hill, Unincorporated, New South Wales, Australia |
| Owner | Broken Hill City Council |
| Official name: Day Dream Smelter; DayDream Smelter | |
| Type | state heritage (archaeological-terrestrial) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 182 |
| Type | Mine site |
| Category | Mining and Mineral Processing |
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The Day Dream Smelter is an old building site in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 20 kilometers north-west of Broken Hill. A smelter is a special factory where metal is taken out of ore (rock containing metal). This site is now protected because of its history. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
Contents
Discovering the Day Dream Smelter's Past
The Day Dream Smelter is located near Broken Hill and Silverton. It became a busy place after silver was found there in December 1882. By 1884, between 400 and 500 people lived and worked in the area. The Day Dream mine was very important back then.
How the Smelter Was Built
The Barrier Ranges Association built the Day Dream Smelter. This group was formed to manage mines and build smelters. Their goal was to help the mining area grow.
A Short but Important Life
The Day Dream Smelter opened in 1885. It had two large furnaces, one that could process 25 tons and another for 40 tons. A "ton" is a very heavy measurement, about 1,000 kilograms!
However, the Day Dream mine didn't last long. The smelter closed in April 1886 after only 10 months. There wasn't enough ore to keep it running.
Treating Broken Hill's First Ore
Later in 1886-1887, the smelters reopened for a short time. They processed about 1,500 tons of ore from the new Broken Hill Mine. This was before the Broken Hill Mine had its own smelters ready.
By the end of 1888, the Day Dream settlement was almost empty. The smelters closed for good. Today, nothing is left of the old town. All the machinery and building materials like wood and iron were removed long ago.
What Remains Today
Even though most of the smelter is gone, what's left is very interesting. It stands alone on a round hill in the dry Barrier Range. It reminds us of the exciting times and big hopes people had. These hopes were later overshadowed by the huge wealth found at Broken Hill.
In 1980, a group called the Heritage Council visited the site. Later, the Barrier Environment Group suggested protecting the Day Dream Smelter. It became a protected site on February 11, 1983. Then, it was officially added to the State Heritage Register in 1999.
What the Smelter Looks Like Now
Today, you can still see some parts of the old smelter. These include the tall chimney stack and a trench next to it. There are also stone walls and a platform where the smelter buildings once stood. You can also see old shaft access holes and stone retaining walls made of waste rock (called mullock).
The Chimney and Walls
The stone walls of the smelter are built on the hillside. They connect up the slope to the hilltop. Stone walls also form a tunnel (called a flue) that leads to the chimney stack. The chimney stack is round. Its bottom half is made of stone, and its top half is made of brick.
In 2000, people noticed that the brickwork at the top of the chimney was weak. Rainwater was washing away the mortar (the cement-like material) that held the bricks together.
Why the Day Dream Smelter is Important
The Day Dream Smelter is a special part of New South Wales' history. It shows an important time in mining and industry in the Broken Hill-Silverton area. This site existed even before Broken Hill became famous for its mining.
Historical Significance
The remains of the Day Dream Smelter are very important. They show us the early days of mining in the region. It's a key part of the mining and industrial story of New South Wales.
Unique Appearance and Feelings
What's left of the smelter is quite striking. It stands alone on a hill in the dry Barrier Range. This makes it a powerful reminder of the intense activity and big dreams people had. These dreams were later surpassed by the massive discoveries at Broken Hill.
The Day Dream Smelter was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999. This means it meets certain important standards for historical places.
