Adolphus William Copper Smelter, Heritage-listed copper smelter in Westwood, Australia
The Adolphus William Copper Smelter is a closed copper processing facility in Westwood with a standing brick chimney, several collapsed furnaces, and a large slag heap scattered across the site. The remains are spread throughout the grounds and clearly show the original layout of the production equipment.
The Scottish Australian Mining Company built the facility between 1874 and 1876 during a period of high copper demand in Queensland. Its establishment followed discoveries of new copper deposits in the region.
The smelter reveals early industrial methods used in the region, with workers bringing in Scottish firebricks and other imported materials that were difficult to obtain at the time. These building materials show how dependent the area was on international trade connections.
The site is about 45 miles (70 kilometers) southwest of Rockhampton and requires careful movement due to aged ruins and uneven ground. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and move carefully as remnants are scattered throughout the area.
The facility was one of only three smelters in central Queensland using reverberatory furnace technology, a special construction method from Europe. Despite operating for a short time, it played an important role in the region's industrial growth.
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