OK Mine & Smelter

OK Mine and Smelter is a copper extraction site near Bellevue comprising industrial remains with an octagonal brick chimney and symmetrical slag dumps. The structures reveal how ore was processed and prepared for transport during its operational years.

Operations began in 1902 when the OK Copper Mines Development Syndicate started extracting and processing ore from the deposit. The enterprise closed in 1942 after establishing itself as the region's pioneer copper producer.

The site reflects how mining shaped local industry and the choices made about moving ore from pit to ship. You can see how the landscape was adapted for copper extraction and trade.

The site sits near the historic railway line that once connected to Mareeba, which facilitated shipment of processed copper. Access to the ruins is straightforward, though visitors should wear sturdy footwear as the ground is uneven and scattered with debris.

The octagonal brick chimney is one of only three similar structures remaining in North Queensland and represents a specific construction method of that era. The perfectly matched slag dumps on either side reveal how methodically the smelting process was organized.