Address & Contact
3 Heritage Dr
Wallaroo SA 5556
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Wallaroo's smelting works were constructed in 1861 by the owners of the
Wallaroo Mine to process the ore from there and from the
Moonta Mine.
The smelting works were at one time the largest smelter outside of
Swansea in Wales. Initially using the reverberatory method of smelting, over time the smelter adopted newer processes and remained at the forefront of smelting techniques.
Originally the mines had exported pure copper ore but following the opening of the smelters began exporting ingots of a partially refined copper. In the latter years of the smelters' history pure copper, as
well as gold, silver and lead were smelted on site. The mines and smelters were finally closed in 1923, and the works were almost completely demolished to recoup as much money as possible for the shareholders.
The original
chimney for the works, known as the Hughes Stack, was retained as over the years it had become a mark for shipping. It is now
heritage listed. Hundreds of miners and workers from the mines left
Wallaroo. Many stayed, however, and found employment in the port and agricultural sectors.