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Kelly Mine is a Dartmoor iron mine
situated on the eastern flank of the moor. Along with other
Devon mines in the area, it produced micaceous haematite (shiny
ore), a flaky form of iron oxide mainly for use in the
manufacture of MIO (micaceous iron oxide) anti-corrosion paints.
The mine finally closed in 1951 and was taken over by the Kelly
Mine Preservation Society in 1984. Since then the mine has been refurbished and
the processing plant restored to working order.
The mill contains a Blackstone oil engine and a water turbine.
Either can be used to power a set of Californian stamps, a screw
classifier, the original compressor and the unique haulage
winch.
Outside are a pair of ore washing strip and a jigger. Also on
site are the original miners dry, an inclined tramway to the
lower adit and various other tramways. Adjacent to the road is a
stone building which houses the drying
furnace, the ore packaging equipment and the blacksmith's shop;
a working waterwheel powers the plant.
Onsite there is a shaft, inside and outside settling tanks, tramway
wagons and many other items of interest from this and other
local mines.
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Kelly Mine is open most Wednesdays
and Sundays, and visitors are welcome. There is
no access at other times.
Kelly Mine is on the A382 between Bovey Tracey
and Moretonhampstead at SX 795818 and, when open,
the entrance is marked by a red traffic cone.
Coming from Bovey Tracey it is on the right about
800 yds from Slade Cross and there is limited
parking on the grass verge just beyond the mine
entrance. From Moretonhampstead the mine is on
the left about 500 yds from Kelly Cross.
Alternatively park at the Trenchford Reservoir
car park at SX 804824 and walk down the footpath
through historic Bullaton Farm - about 3/4 mile.
Dartmoor
National Park organise guided walks which visit
Kelly Mine starting from Trenchford Reservoir car
park. These are currently on Sundays once a month
during the summer. For details see the Dartmoor
Visitor newspaper, call at an Information
Centre or visit the Dartmoor NPA website.
To arrange party visits in advance or for more
information telephone Nick Walter on 01626
853127.
Click here for a map
Tony Jewell
Updated 10/11/09
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