The remains of a row of cyanide vats can be found alongside this unnamed track within the Inglewood Nature Conservation Reserve.
This site is located in the bushland off Sullivan Street, see map above for exact location.
Cyanide is used in mining to extract gold and silver from their ores. A brief summary of the cyanide process is offered by the Encyclopaedia Britannica:
Cyanide process, also called Macarthur-forrest Process, method of extracting silver and gold from their ores by dissolving them in a dilute solution of sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide.
The process was invented in 1887 by the Scottish chemists John S. MacArthur, Robert W. Forrest, and William Forrest.
The method includes three steps: contacting the finely ground ore with the cyanide solution, separating the solids from the clear solution, and recovering the precious metals from the solution by precipitation with zinc dust
(source).
The Inglewood Nature Conservation Reserve is packed with significant ruins, remnants and relics relating to the area's rich mining history.
Bushwalking, birdwatching and gold prospecting are popular activities throughout the reserve, but please note that prospecting is not permitted at this particular site as it is protected by Heritage Victoria.
BBQ
Inglewood
