Melbur China Clay Works

Melbur China Clay Works: In 2016 this part of the quarry was operated by Goonvean Aggregates. This is another huge site, much is still operated by Imerys. There is a large processing works where the material is “dry mined” rather that the traditional methods of using a monitor and washing the clay out.

This was a flying visit on a Sunday. The place was amazing a photography playground. Once again I was governed by time which was always against me.

Melbur China Clay Works — Melbur China Clay Works 1 – A Bell WA500 loader at Melbur Quarry. In the background is the huge aggregate plant.

Melbur China Clay Works — Melbur China Clay Works 2 – An image of the Melbur Crushing and Screening plant, this was erected during the late 1990’s. The pile of processed sand in the foreground was so fine it was almost frictionless.

Melbur China Clay Works — Melbur China Clay Works 3 – The works in all its glory, certainly an amazing thing to photograph. Huw and I visited on a Sunday, sadly all the equipment was turned off with no one around, it rather quiet.

Melbur China Clay Works — Melbur China Clay Works 4 – I would have loved to get inside the crusher but it was all locked up. Also it was a very strange light with whispy cloud. Consequently it really adds an atmosphere to the images.

Melbur China Clay Works — Melbur China Clay Works 5 – Another image of the Melbur Crusher and screening plant from the other side. The long conveyor belts were very photogenic.

There were multiple conveyor belts, all leading from the main crusher. Subsequently from here the material was fed to other screening machines on the site.

Melbur China Clay Works — Cornish Mine Images 6 – I climbed a gantry this image is looking down on the conveyor belts. The huge open pit is beyond in the distance.

Melbur China Clay Works — Cornish Mine Images 7 – A crusher unit fed by a conveyor sits above the conveyor below. Piles of processed material were heaped all over the place.

Melbur China Clay Works — Cornish Mine Images 8 – This image is taken looking down the side of the main shed towards more conveyors and screening plants.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 9 – The final conveyor leading from yet another crusher unit, processed sand piled up underneath.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 10 – Stairways and gantry’s around the crushing area. In the background the hydraulic arm of a jack hammer can be seen used to break up large chunks of rock.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 11 – Bell loaders in the foreground with the screening plant in the background. This is one of the best images from the visit.

Cornish Mine Images — Cornish Mine Images 12 – A final image of the Melbur site.

This site is on private property. It should not be entered without permission, a suitable escort and health and safety equipment.

Greensplat China Clay Pit

error: Copyright Simon Jones 2022