Ann: Production to commence at historic Victorian gold mines, page-232

There is no “theory” , only fact! Airleg miners produced the mill feed and barren rock, as far as practicable, was removed and stacked underground. Room for mullock on the surface was limited. A twenty head stamp battery and wilfley tables took care of the free gold whilst cyanide was used to treat the fines. Tails were piped directly to Morning Star Creek together with significant quantities of quicksilver.
it is not rocket science so no “theories” needed.