Gordon's Mine and Mill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gordon's Mine and Mill |
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Gordon's Mine and Mill, 2002
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| Location | Iron Range, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 - 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | c. 1936 - 1950s |
| Official name: Gordon's Mine and Mill, Iron Range Mine and Mill | |
| Type | state heritage (archaeological) |
| Designated | 13 December 2002 |
| Reference no. | 601860 |
| Significant period | c. 1936-1950s (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | track, machinery/plant/equipment - mining/mineral processing, mounting block/stand, cyanide plant/cyanide vat, adit, terracing, flue |
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Gordon's Mine and Mill is an old gold mine and processing plant in Iron Range, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1936 and was used until the 1950s. This important historical site is also known as the Iron Range Mine and Mill. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 December 2002, which means it is protected for its historical value.
Contents
The Story of Gordon's Mine
Finding Gold in Iron Range
In early 1934, a man named Jack Gordon was exploring for gold near Packers Creek. He followed a gold trail up a small stream that flowed into Gordon Creek. This led him to discover what became known as the Iron Range Reef. A "reef" is a vein of rock that contains valuable minerals like gold.
Building the Mine and Mill
Within two years, the area became very busy. About 45 men were working along an 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of land. At first, the gold-rich rock, called "ore," was sent all the way to Charters Towers to be processed. This was a long journey by ship and train.
However, Jack Gordon decided to build his own processing plant, called a "mill," right at the mine. He set up a special machine called a Huntington mill. This was very difficult because of the remote location and tough transportation. By November 1936, the Iron Range mill was fully working. Soon after, other crushing machines were set up at nearby gold claims.
How the Mine Operated
In 1938, the Iron Range mill ran for most of the year. A "cyanide plant" was also installed. This plant used a chemical process to get even more gold out of the ore. At this time, 29 people worked at the mine.
Gordon's Reef was found on top of a steep hill. The main tunnel, or "adit," was dug about 57 meters (187 feet) below the hilltop to reach the gold. By 1939, the mine had many tunnels and passages. Official records show that 2,005 ounces of gold were found from 210 long tons of ore.
Between 1938 and 1956, the mine produced a lot more gold. Reports show that a total of 10,428 long tons of ore were crushed. This yielded 4,525 ounces of "bullion gold" (gold that is not yet fully pure) and 122 ounces of "fine gold" (almost pure gold). Most of this gold came from Gordon's mine, but some might have come from nearby mining areas.
What You Can See Today
The Gordon's Mine and Mill site is now covered in thick rainforest plants. It is on a hillside that slopes down to a small stream. There are two old tracks that cross the site at different levels.
Mine Tunnels and Equipment
On the upper track, you can find three mine tunnels, called "adits." The middle adit, which was the main tunnel, has partly collapsed at its entrance. Near this entrance, there is an "air receiver." This was a tank used to store compressed air, which powered mining tools.
The Mill Site
The mill, where the gold ore was processed, is located along the lower track. You can still see parts of the old machinery there.
- Building Site: There's a flat area cut into the hillside where a building once stood. You can still see some old wooden posts that supported the shed.
- Huntington Mill: In the middle of the mill site, there's a partly broken and rusty Huntington mill. This machine crushed the gold ore into a fine powder. It sits on a concrete base.
- Gas Producer: You can also see a "suction gas producer" with its concrete engine mounts. This machine made gas from wood or coal to power the mill's engines.
- Cyanide Tanks: Along the creek bank below the mill, there are several large, rusty corrugated iron tanks. These were the "cyaniding tanks" used in the chemical process to extract gold. There are at least five of these tanks, along with a small concrete structure that looks like a "retort flue," which was part of the gold refining process.
Surviving Machinery
Some of the original machines are still there:
- Huntington mill: Made by Babcock & Wilcox Ltd. in New South Wales.
- Gas producer: No brand name visible.
- Roots blower: This machine, made by Alldays & Ions Ltd. in England, was used to move air or gas. It is not in its original spot.
- Air receiver: No brand name visible.
Why Gordon's Mine is Important
Gordon's Mine and Mill was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 13 December 2002. This means it is considered an important part of Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
The mine and mill are important because they show how gold mining developed in Queensland in the 1930s. It was a successful project that supported gold mining for 20 years in a difficult rainforest area on Cape York Peninsula.
Rare Machinery
The machinery left at the mill is very rare in North Queensland today. The Huntington mill is one of only two recorded in the region. The Roots blower is the only one found with a mining site in North Queensland.
Showing Mining Processes
The remaining machines and the archaeological evidence at the site help us understand how quartz gold was mined and processed in a tropical rainforest environment. It also shows how the rainforest grew back around the site after the mining stopped.
