Nettle Creek Tin Dredge, Mining heritage site in Mount Garnet region, Australia
The Nettle Creek Tin Dredge is a mining structure approximately 47 meters long and 23 meters wide, featuring remnants of industrial equipment and pontoon systems used for tin extraction. The site displays the mechanical infrastructure that enabled large-scale ore processing in this region.
The dredge was built in 1957 by FW Payne & Sons and operated continuously until 1992, with a team of approximately 70 workers processing tin ore across multiple shifts. Its decades of operation reflect the significant role this mine played in the region's economy.
The dredge marks a turning point in Queensland's mining history, when the region shifted from small manual operations to large-scale industrial methods. Visitors can see in the structure itself how this change transformed both the way work was done and the landscape of extraction.
The site sits about 14 kilometers east of Mount Garnet and requires permission from Woodleigh Station for access. Visitors should arrange clearance with the property owner before planning a visit to the location.
The dredge was originally designed as a gold dredge in New Zealand, then dismantled and transported to Australia, where it was modified specifically for tin mining. This journey across the Tasman Sea reveals how valuable and adaptable such equipment was to different mining operations.
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