Gypsum, a mineral used as in ingredient for plaster, was sought after for building construction and the manufacture of plaster mouldings. At first the gypsum was shipped to Melbourne from Marion Bay for processing, and eventually the processing was undertaken at the extraction site.
The town was wholly sustained by the demand for gypsum, and by 1970 Inneston had become a ghost town as mining operations ceased. Today the partially restored, heritage listed Inneston village provides an excellent insight into the mining history of the region.
Gypsum is found in nature in mineral and rock form. It is a very soft mineral and it can form very pretty, and sometimes extremely large coloured crystals. As a rock, gypsum is a sedimentary rock, typically found in thick beds or layers. It forms in lagoons where ocean waters high in calcium and sulphate content can slowly evaporate and be regularly replenished with new sources of water. The result is the accumulation of large beds of sedimentary gypsum. Gypsum is commonly associated with rock salt and sulphur deposits. It is processed and used as prefabricated wallboard or as industrial or building plaster, used in cement manufacture, agriculture and other uses.
Gypsum is composed of hydrated calcium sulphate and takes many forms, occurring as tabular, bladed and diamond shaped crystals (Selenite). it also occurs in fibrous form (satin spar), and in compact, granular masses (Alabaster), and as rosette shaped aggregates with included grains of sand (Desert Rose)
Gypsum varies from colourless to white, grey, yellowish, reddish, greenish, and brown.
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Q1 At the starting coords what was Gypsum Blocks used for ?
Q2 At WP1 describe the shape and colour of the Gypsum Crystals in the embankment?
Q3 At WP2 How are the Gypsum Crystals here different to the ones at WP1 ?
Q4 At WP3 What type of Gypsum is found here and why was mining during winter unsuccessful ?
Q5 At WP4 At this factory what was made from the byproduct and what the process required to make it ?