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MOUNT MERRIMAC GOLD BATTERY SITE

Location LIGHTNING CREEK MITTA MITTA, TOWONG SHIRE File Number 607659 Level Registered

[1/1] 1 mount merrimac gold battery

Statement of Significance

The Mount Merrimac Gold Battery Site consists of the remains of a collapsed 10-head stamp battery, and buried and partly buried piece of machinery. The battery's power plant, a Pelton wheel has been removed. The battery and associated pieces of machinery are remnants of crushing facility that last worked in the early 1890s. The site is badly obscured by blackberry bushes and tree ferns.

The Mount Merrimac Gold Battery Site is of historical, and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

The Mount Merrimac Gold Battery Site is historically and scientifically important as a characteristic and well preserved example of an important form of gold mining. Gold mining sites are of crucial importance for the pivotal role they have played since 1851 in the development of Victoria. As well as being a significant producer of Victoria's nineteenth century wealth, with its intensive use of machinery, played an important role in the development of Victorian manufacturing industry. The abandoned mining machinery at the Mount Merrimac Gold Battery Site is historically important for its evocation of the adventurousness, hardship, and isolation that was part of mining life in the high country areas of the State.

The Mount Merrimac Gold Battery Site is archaeologically important for its potential to yield artefacts and evidence which will be able to provide significant information about the technological history of gold mining.