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The Simmer and Jack Proprietary Gold Mines - South Africa
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The Simmer and Jack Proprietary Gold Mines - South Africa
The Simmer and Jack Proprietary Gold Mines - east of Johannesburg, South Africa. The company which was founded in 1887 by the German August Simmer and Scotsman John Jack. The gold deposits were very large indeed, but could only be extracted from the pyrite with great difficulty and expense using contemporary technology (cyanide process). In the foreground can be seen a row of cylindrical froth flotation cells - part of this dangerous process. The original mine was closed down in 1969. Date: circa 1908
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Media ID 14417222
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Cells Cyanide Cylindrical Deposits Extracting Extraction Feb17 Flotation Froth Jack Johannesburg Metallurgical Mine Mines Mining Process Southern Technique Goldmine Simmer
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph offers a glimpse into the past of The Simmer and Jack Proprietary Gold Mines, located east of Johannesburg, South Africa. Established in 1887 by German immigrant August Simmer and Scotsman John Jack, the mine was renowned for its substantial gold deposits. However, extracting the precious metal from the pyrite was a formidable challenge, requiring the use of contemporary technology such as the cyanide process. The image, taken circa 1908, showcases a row of cylindrical froth flotation cells in the foreground, an essential component of the hazardous cyanidation process. This metallurgical technique involved the use of cyanide to extract gold from the ore, a method that was both expensive and dangerous due to the toxic nature of the chemical. The original Simmer and Jack Mine was closed down in 1969, leaving behind a rich historical legacy. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the arduous gold mining efforts during the early 1900s in South Africa, a time when the extraction of gold was a complex and costly endeavor. The scene depicted in this image offers a unique perspective into the technological advancements and challenges faced by mining companies during this era.
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