It is unusual to find remains as complete as this on old mine sites. This roller crusher was made in Llanidloes, Wales and was probably used for re-working the dumps of the nearby lead mine. Co. Cork is justly famous for its many Cornish engine houses set in the ruggedly beautiful scenery of the Atlantic coast. The buildings stand out dramatically on the side of the Slieve Miskish mountains. In 1862 they housed the steam plant driving Ireland's only man engine - a system of vertical rods with platforms able to lift men from the depths of the mine.
Metals are still extensively mined in Ireland.
The largest Zinc mine in Europe is Tara in Co. Meath. Massive diesel powered machinery like this loader with its 14-tonne shovel is at work deep underground. The machine is driven into the blasted rock pile from the stope by radio control to allow the driver to remain safely in the roadway. Tara has a large processing mill recovering Zinc and Lead from the rocks. The plant includes large rod and ball mills like this which crush the material to a fine powder.