Union Gold (Waikato) Traditional Cache
Miles.: This Geocache is being archived due to the hide being too accessible to mugglers.
A new geocache is planned around the same area but will be a totally different type of hide.
Size, location, difficulty and style of hide have all been changed.
Thanks all for finding the original. The new one should be a nice challenge.
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This Cache brings you to an area where many old gold workings can be found. Please closely supervise children and keep to the tracks or cleared areas. Suggest you park at S 37 23.411 E 175 51.073 and follow the track in via bridge at S 37 23.485 E 175 51.150 There is also a shorter route in to cache. Park car next to the conveyor at Kenny street and follow easy gravel track.
Union Hill Much is known about the gold mining on Martha Hill, Waihi, But the role of Union hill was a very important part of the operations. In 1885 mining started on Union hill and was 2 years later purchased by the Waihi gold mining company. A dry crushing battery with 30 stamps was constructed at the foot of Union hill where all the ore from nearby Martha hill was sent for processing. Later another 30 stamps were constructed before the electrification in 1892, and then further expanded in 1894 to 90 stamps. Union hill was also the site of 13 large brick kilns used to “roast” the ore and weaken it before crushing. This used around a ton of wood to a ton of ore. As wood quickly became scarce, a more efficient process had to be found. In 1909 2 Ferro- concrete agitator vats were erected and later another 4 in 1910. These vats were used to separate the gold from the crushed ore using cyanide. This process greatly increased the gold recovery rate from around 65 % to 90 % The stamping battery was closed in 1912 due to a more efficient processing plant being constructed at Waikino. The foundations of many buildings can still be seen on Union hill as well as the 6 concrete agitator tanks which are protected by the historic places trust and virtually still 100% intact. Once again. Please do not bush bash. This can be a dangerous place if you stray off tracks or cleared areas. Be safe, Hidden shafts.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ahg naq obyg
Treasures
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