The Big Stack
The Big Stack
In 1902, development work on the then lower levels of the Mount Morgan mine disclosed the existence of a high-grade copper sulphide ore and in 1903, a diamond drilling programme proved that an extensive body of high-grade copper ore did exist.
It was realised that this type of ore would have to be treated in a different manner to that previously used at the mine and a decision was made to build a "smelter".
In 1904, a small experimental blast furnace was built and as the ore proved amendable to this type of smelting, it was decided to build four blast furnaces. The first blast furnace was "blown in" on the 20th January 1906.
In 1905, an octagonal, brick chimney, 76.3m (250 feet) high, was build to distribute the fumes from the smelters, to as far away as possible. The chimney contained 749 300 bricks, which were made at the mine's brickworks.
his chimney became known locally as the "Big Stack".
On the lease, at this time, were several other small chimneys, which served the roasting furnaces etc, of the gold recovery plants. Smelting ceased in July 1984, so the "Big Stack" has not "smoked" since that date.
Throughout the years, heat, hot corrosive gasses and the elements had weakened the Big Stack and a restoration programme took place in 1991, to preserve the stack. Unfortunately 6.9m (221/2 feet) had to be removed from the top of the Big Stack, for safety reasons. Mr Jim Westlake, who worked for 38 years on the site, was brought out of retirement to supervise the restoration. Four steeplejacks from Elvic Construction, Brisbane, battled high winds to complete the project.
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Mount Morgan Promotion & Development Inc.
61 Morgan Street, Mount Morgan Qld 4714
Phone: 4938 2333 Fax: 4938 2309
Email: mmpad@bigpond.com"