St. Patrick's Mine Avoca 1956-62

I am originally from Avoca, but have lived in Australia for 45 years. The picture of the managers houses brought back fond memories, I was only a youngster back then. My mother's house is the one with the tiled roof. I would appreciate if you could pass on a contact for Kathleen as I would like to share some stories of that time. Thank You. 

Often when I come to look at the Avoca mines Community page, I am pleasantly surprised to see something new and learn something new that I wasn’t aware of before. This time when I viewed the1956 to 1962 photographic collection of Ross Corey/ St. Patrick’s Copper mine Avoca, I was intrigued by one photograph in particular, with a woman standing on what appears to be a Dam on an earlier tailings Dam at Shelton with the wood on one said. I could remember the New CAT 950 Loader in 1972, and I could remember Hughie Mc Carthy loading the dumpers, but I was wondering how I could remember him loading the mines tailings so early on, and this photo offers the explanation as to how it was possible, and while Steve young had mentioned St Patricks Mine had installed  tailings pipes, I didn’t think they could ever have gone as far as Shelton, and I just assumed they used places like the old tailings pond where we built the workshop in Avoca. I could also remember very clearly working over by the wood at different stages, Austin Fanning              

i m from avoca my dad worked in avoca mines he was once mine cptain

Having worked for Avoca Mines Ltd during the 1970's in the mill in positions from Metallurgical Assistant to Mill Superintendent, I will add some comments to photographs where my knowledge of the mill allows. I have numbered the photos left to right, 1 to 25.

#2 - Woman standing on dam - a 75 acre swamp area close to Shelton Abby was chosen for the tailings (waste) disposal area. The sand water mix, slurry was pumped down a 12" diameter asbestos cement pipe that largely followed the rail bed. An emergency tailings area was located across the road from the mill and at a later time, a second emergency area was located above the mine at the North Lode area.

#11 - this circular construction shows the construction of a concentrate thickener.

#12 - construction of the back wall of the mill that comprised the coarse ore bin. The massive opening for the Ross chain feeder ahead of the Nordberg Gyratory crusher is clearly seen.

#13 - looking down of the construction. The wall and hole to the Ross feeder is clearly seen. A walk way across over the crushing plant and maintenance area from the major retaining wall to the 7000 ton fine ore bin is seen. Further to the left foundation work is underway for the flotation plant and a monolithic concrete wall separating the mill from the concentrate load out area.

#18 - in the hold of the concentrate ship in Arklow.

#20 - assembling grinding mill motor. Each of the 6 mills was powered by a 525 hp auto-synchronous motor. Each motor weighed 11 tons.

#21 - construction of one of two 70' diameter thickener along side the electrical control room. These were used to raise the slurry density after the grinding circuit and before the flotation plant.

#22 - construction of the fine ore bin area.

#24 - Company houses at Ballygahan. 

Hope this information is of interest.

Stephen Young

Canada

Stephen, thank you so much for that invaluable information. It is very much appreciated. If you have any reminiscences, images or other information to share please do fee free to let us know. Many visitors to this site  engage with our articles on Avoca mines so it is clearly a topic that is dear to many.

Deirdre (Editor) 

My father worked at the mine from 1958 to 1961; we lived at the managers homesite between Nelson's and Noonans. Mr and Mrs Corey used to babysit me on occasion. Other names I remember at Clesham, Vivian, Bracken,Stringer Foreman and Kenny. My father was a Canadian Mining Engineer and Geologist and his name was Phillip Olson. I remember Ross and Alice had a Jaguar, as we traveled a bit with them.

Barbara Olson Teeter