The 'wild symphony of iron on stone' was indeed music to the ears of scores of prospectors and one-man band miners who brought their ore to be crushed here at the Meekatharra State Battery. One good crushing could pay the equivalent of a year's wages and many a prospector watched his fate beaten into shape beneath x5 600lb heads that operated here between 1912 and 1987.
The process, a very simple one; and altered little through the life of the battery. Ore was brought in by horse or camel cart in the early years and later on battered old trucks. Sledge hammers were used to break larger rocks untill the maximum size was about 6 inches (150mm). This material was then put through a 'jaw-crusher' (or the berdan pan) and further reduced so that it could pass under the stamps.
The crushed ore was then passed across the screens on the gold tables with the finer material dropping through into pans or trays containing quicksilver (mercury). This 'grabbed' the gold, the liquid was drained or squeezed out and the remaining amalgam was roasted to separate out the mercury. The molten gold was then poured into bars - and depending on the return per ton of ore, another prospector set off to either drown their sorrow or celebrate his success.
During its 75 year life span, a remarkable total of 290,927 tons of ore was crushed, producing 208,219 ounces of gold. In Meekatharra's Centenary Year of 1994, the State Battery was relocated to Main Street in acknowledgement of the early prospectors and miners who followed them. It stands proudly along the Meekatharra Creek with other interesting relics from Meekatharra's gold mining past.
The cache is a sandwich sized container with ample room for trackables and small trade items. A logbook and pen is also enclosed - don't forget to log your find and sign.
A stand alone structure beyond the infomation signage is where you need to be. Take your time...theres lots of possibilities.
You are now on the Eastern Loop Meeka Drive Trail with many more key historical points of interest along the way should you have time to stop & explore.
Photographs of your find can be mailed through to cdo@meekashire.wa.gov.au