The Silver Extraction Process
The ore as mined was not pure as it was mostly encased in rock, combined with earth, and also contained traces of iron ore and other minerals. Firstly it had to be pounded into small fragments on stone tables with rock hammers, then ground to a fine powder of 1mm grain size in a stone mill (very hard work!). Then it had to be washed in a "washery" to remove as many of the impurities as ...