Stamp mill

A stamp mill is a mechanical device used to crush ore, typically for extracting metals like gold or silver. It consists of a large, heavy iron or steel stamp (or hammer) that is raised and then dropped with force onto the ore placed on a prepared surface, breaking it into smaller pieces. Multiple stamps work together in a stamp mill, often powered by steam or water. This process makes it easier to separate valuable minerals from the surrounding rock, serving as an early method of mineral processing before modern crushing equipment was developed.