Épisodes

  • Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Georgina Basin Phosphorites: Unearthing a Hidden Resource for Green Technology

    Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Georgina Basin Phosphorites: Unearthing a Hidden Resource for Green Technology
    Jun 24 2025
    Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are critical for developing 'green' technologies and renewable energy supplies, as well as various high-tech, civil, and military applications. Their growing demand, particularly for Heavy REEs (HREEs) like dysprosium, is outstripping current global supply, leading to a worldwide search for new sources.Phosphorites, which are phosphate-rich sedimentary rocks containing over 18–20% P2O5, are currently the world's principal source of phosphorus for fertilizer. The primary phosphate mineral in phosphorites is carbonate fluorapatite (CFA), also commonly known as francolite. Recent research has identified phosphorites as an important potential source for industrial REE supply.The Georgina Basin Discovery – A Game Changer:Location and Age: Our focus is on the Cambrian (approximately 505 million years old) phosphorites located along the eastern margin of the Georgina Basin in northern Australia, an intracratonic basin covering about 330,000 km².Unexpectedly High REE Concentrations: These Georgina Basin phosphorites can contain up to 0.5 wt% REE, classifying them among the most REE-enriched phosphorites globally. This finding contradicts earlier global assessments that suggested Cambrian phosphorites generally had poor REE endowment.Regional Variations: REE concentrations in the Georgina Basin vary by orders of magnitude across its northern, central, and southern parts.Southern Prospects (Ardmore, Duchess, Phosphate Hill) exhibit significantly higher REE concentrations (mean 563-1689 ppm) and are enriched in elements typically found within the carbonate fluorapatite lattice, such as P2O5, CaO, Na2O, Sr, and possibly Ba. Ardmore, in particular, shows the highest total REE content, ranging from 809 to 5333 ppm.Central and Northern Prospects (Lily, Sherrin Creek, Barr Creek, DTREE, Paradise South, Paradise North) generally have lower average REE concentrations (mean 175-583 ppm) and a greater contribution of terrigenous material, characterized by higher concentrations of elements like SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, and K2O.Seawater-Like REE Patterns: Despite the concentration differences, phosphorites from all prospects display REE patterns similar to modern seawater, featuring negative Ce anomalies, positive Y anomalies, and enrichment of MREE and HREE relative to LREE. This suggests that seawater was the major supply of REEs into these phosphorites.Conclusion and Future Outlook: The Georgina Basin phosphorites represent a significant and easily extractable source of REEs, particularly HREEs, which are highly critical for emerging technologies. The ease of REE extraction using processes similar to existing phosphate fertilizer production makes them highly attractive, presenting fewer technological and environmental challenges than many conventional REE deposits. The studies highlight that local geological conditions and depositional environments are key indicators for prospectivity, emphasizing the need to look beyond global secular seawater chemistry for exploration. Other contemporaneous deposits in the Georgina Basin, especially along the Alexandria-Wonarah Basement high, may also hold similar REE mineralization potential.Sources:The aqueous geochemistry of the rare earth elementsREE enrichment of phosphorites: An example of the Cambrian Georgina Basin of AustraliaRare earth elements in sedimentary phosphate deposits: Solution to the global REE crisis?Extraction of rare earth elements from waste products of phosphateCarl Spandler presents 'Rare Earth Element potential of phosphorites of the Georgina Basin'Recovery of Rare Earth Elements in The Hydrometallurgical Processes of Phosphate Rock- A Critical ReviewGeochemical and Isotopic (Nd, Sr) Tracing of the Origin of REE Enrichment in the Cambrian Georgina Basin PhosphoritesDisclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    51 min
  • Australia's High-Purity Quartz for Silicon Production

    Australia's High-Purity Quartz for Silicon Production
    Jun 20 2025

    Join us for an insightful episode diving deep into High-Purity Quartz (HPQ), a mineral often overlooked but crucial for modern technology and Australia's journey to Net Zero. We discuss why silicon, derived from HPQ, is a critical mineral globally and locally, its complex journey from rock to high-tech applications like solar cells and semiconductors, and the pioneering work by Geoscience Australia to unlock Australia's HPQ potential.


    High-Purity Quartz (HPQ) is the only naturally occurring, economically viable source of silicon, a critical mineral essential for technologies like semiconductors and solar cells. As global demand for clean energy accelerates, HPQ's role is growing rapidly, with demand for quartz feedstock expected to increase fortyfold by 2050. Producing high-tech silicon from HPQ is both material- and energy-intensive, requiring extensive beneficiation and purification processes to meet exacting purity standards—often exceeding 99.995% SiO₂. Not all quartz qualifies as HPQ, with economically viable deposits being rare and defined by extremely low impurity levels. These deposits are found in various geological settings globally, including pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, with Australia holding significant untapped potential but only one active operation. To address this, Geoscience Australia, through its Critical Minerals R&D Hub, is advancing a national HPQ prospectivity map and developing analytical tools to aid exploration. Their "Explorers Toolbox" aims to equip industry with cost-effective techniques and early indicators of quartz quality. With its abundant resources and growing expertise, Australia has a strategic opportunity to emerge as a key global supplier of HPQ and bolster its domestic silicon production for clean technology markets.


    Sources:

    • Quartz – The Unsuspected Critical Mineral
    • Australian Mines Atlas
    • A Review of High-Purity Quartz for Silicon Production in Australia⁠


    Disclaimer:

    • AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    53 min
  • Australia's Critical Minerals: Endowment, Opportunities, and Global Significance

    Australia's Critical Minerals: Endowment, Opportunities, and Global Significance
    Jun 15 2025
    Welcome to our special episode where we explore how Australia, a "mining superpower," is positioning itself to be a key player in the global energy transition. We dive deep into the world of critical minerals, their vital role in modern technologies, and Australia's ambitious strategy to leverage its vast geological endowment for a sustainable future.Critical minerals, which are essential for modern technology, national security, and the global transition to a low-emissions economy, are experiencing a surge in demand. This demand is driven by the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. However, the concentration of their production and processing in a few countries creates significant supply chain risks.Australia is in a unique position to address these challenges. As a mineral powerhouse, it is the world's largest producer of lithium and a top-five producer of several other critical minerals like manganese, rare earths, and tantalum. With vast, undeveloped resources, the country has a significant economic opportunity to expand its role in the global market.To capitalize on this, Australia is implementing a comprehensive strategy focused on moving beyond its traditional "dig and ship" model. The core objective is to add value onshore by developing capabilities in processing ores into higher-value metals, chemicals, and finished products. The strategy also emphasizes reprocessing mine waste to create new supply and improve environmental outcomes.The Australian government's "Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030" outlines six key focus areas:Developing Strategically Important Projects through significant government funding, loans, and tax incentives to de-risk and encourage private investment.Attracting Investment and Building International Partnerships by forming alliances with key nations like the US, UK, Japan, and members of the Quad to secure capital and diversify supply chains.Ensuring First Nations Engagement through genuine collaboration and benefit sharing.Promoting World-Leading ESG Performance by leveraging Australia's high environmental, social, and governance standards as a competitive advantage.Investing in Enabling Infrastructure such as roads, rail, and ports to support industry growth.Growing a Skilled Workforce to meet the demands of an expanding and more complex sector.Geoscience Australia underpins this strategy by providing essential pre-competitive data to guide exploration and discovery, which has already led to significant finds. By leveraging its mineral wealth, robust strategy, and commitment to sustainable practices, Australia aims to become a "green energy superpower," securing its role in the future of global energy and technology supply chains.Sources:Australian Mines AtlasCritical Minerals Mapping InitiativeCritical Energy Minerals RoadmapA review of critical mineral resources in AustraliaCritical minerals at Geoscience AustraliaCritical Minerals in AustraliaGeological Surveys Unite to Improve Critical Mineral SecurityMaximising critical mineral opportunities to meet global demandThe role of geoscience in Australia s critical mineral futureWhat are Critical Minerals and Strategic Materials and why do they matter? An Australian PerspectiveAustralian Critical Minerals Prospectus, 2025 Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030The economic potential of Australia’s critical minerals and energy transition mineralsInternational Geoscience Collaboration to Support Critical Mineral DiscoveryDeposit classification scheme for the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative Global Geochemical DatabaseOutlook for selected critical minerals in Australia: 2021Disclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    1 h et 12 min
  • Unearthing Critical Minerals: The Story of Australia's Nolans Bore Rare Earth Deposit

    Unearthing Critical Minerals: The Story of Australia's Nolans Bore Rare Earth Deposit
    Jun 13 2025
    Join us as we delve into the heart of Australia's Northern Territory to explore the Nolans Project, a globally significant rare earth elements (REE) venture. We'll uncover its vast resources, unique geological origins, and the intricate processes involved in bringing these critical minerals to market. From its "shovel-ready" status to the deep scientific debates about its formation, this episode sheds light on a project poised to supply a significant proportion of the world's NdPr demand for high-performance magnets.Introduction to the Nolans ProjectLocation & Purpose: Situated 135 km north of Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory, the Nolans Project is designed to mine and process a rare earths-phosphate-uranium-thorium (REE-P-U-Th) deposit. Its primary goal is to become a major global supplier of Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) oxides.Global Significance: The project has the potential to supply approximately 4% of the world's NdPr oxide demand, critical for high-performance NdFeB permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics.Australian Domicile Advantage: Benefits from its Australian location and proximity to existing transport, water, and energy infrastructure. It's also recognized with Australian Government's Major Project Status.Resources & Reserves at Nolans BoreOre Reserves: As of March 2020, JORC 2012-compliant Ore Reserves total 29.5 Mt at 2.9% TREO and 13% P2O5, with 26.4% NdPr enrichment.Mine Life: The mining inventory can support operations for 38 years at a design capacity of 340,000 tonnes of concentrate production per annum. The project overview suggests a mine life of at least 23 years.Mining & Processing OperationsIntegrated Facilities: The project encompasses a mine, process plant (beneficiation, extraction, and separation plants), and related infrastructure at the Nolans site.Product Output: It will produce two final rare earth products for export: 4,440 tonnes per annum of NdPr oxide and 470 tonnes per annum of a mixed middle-heavy rare earth (SEG/HRE) oxide. Phosphoric acid will also be produced as a by-product, enhancing project economics.Geological Origin and Post-Depositional History of Nolans BoreDeposit Type: Nolans Bore is a hydrothermal stockwork vein-style REE-phosphate-uranium deposit.Host Rocks: It is primarily hosted by granitic gneiss of the Boothby Orthogneiss (~1806 Ma) and metasedimentary rocks like the Lander Rock Formation.Primary Mineralization Age: Allanite Th-Pb dating yields an age of 1525 ± 18 Ma, interpreted as the minimum age of mineralization. A pre-mineralization pegmatite gives a maximum age of ~1550 Ma. Thorianite dating also supports a primary formation age of 1521 ± 54 Ma.Radiogenic Heating: The high concentrations of Th (~2500 ppm) and U (~190 ppm U3O8) in the deposit produce substantial radiogenic heat (~270 µW/m3), which likely maintained elevated local temperatures (>300°C) for prolonged periods, contributing to the repeated isotopic disturbances observed.Multiple Reworking Events: The deposit has a long and complex history of (re)crystallization and isotopic resetting, with various ages recorded well after primary formation.Sources:Austalian Mines AtlasNolans Rare Earth Element Deposit Summary ReportPorterGeo Database - Nolans BoreArafura Rare Earths LimitedThe Fluorapatite P–REE–Th Vein Deposit at Nolans Bore: Genesis by Carbonatite MetasomatismREE Redistribution Textures in Altered Fluorapatite: Symplectites, Veins, and Phosphate-Silicate-Carbonate Assemblages from the Nolans Bore P-REE-Th Deposit, Northern Territory, AustraliaThe Nolans Bore rare-earth element-phosphorus-uranium mineral system: geology, origin and post-depositional modificationsGenesis of the central zone of the Nolans Bore rare earth element deposit, Northern Territory, AustraliaDisclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    27 min
  • Mount Weld Rare Earth Element Deposit, Western Australia

    Mount Weld Rare Earth Element Deposit, Western Australia
    Jun 11 2025
    Join us as we delve into the fascinating geological story of the Mount Weld carbonatite complex in Western Australia, home to one of the world's richest Rare Earth Element (REE) deposits. We'll explore its discovery, unique geological setting, the intricate processes of weathering that led to its extraordinary enrichment, and the diverse mineralogy that makes it a critical source for modern technologies.Discovery and Significance:The Mount Weld carbonatite was first discovered in 1967 following a regional aeromagnetic survey in 1966, which revealed a pronounced magnetic anomaly associated with a large circular structure hidden beneath alluvial sediments.Initially targeted for niobium, uranium, and phosphate, interest in Rare Earth Elements began in 1988.Mount Weld is now a world-class REE deposit, ranking among the highest-grade globally, with current proven ore reserves averaging 8.3% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO). It's one of the most strategically important REE mines outside China.Mining commenced in 2011, with concentrates shipped to Malaysia for refining into high-quality rare earth minerals.A Journey Through Time: Geological Setting & Formation:Located 250 km northeast of Kalgoorlie, Mount Weld is a Paleoproterozoic carbonatite intrusion within the Archean Yilgarn Craton's Eastern Goldfields Province.The carbonatite complex is generally described as a steeply plunging maar-type diatreme or cylindrical body, 3-4 km in diameter, intruding into volcano-sedimentary greenstones.Its age is well-constrained around 2.06 Ga (specifically 2056 ± 67 Ma based on monazite Th-Pb dating). This age coincides with a regional tectono-magmatic event that produced alkaline ultramafic-mafic igneous rocks and kimberlites in the area.The complex exhibits a distinct geological architecture: a central magnesio- to ferrocarbonatite core (~600 m diameter) rich in REE, surrounded by a broad (~1-1.5 km) calciocarbonatite annulus with higher niobium concentrations. This structure is strikingly similar to other major global carbonatite complexes like Ngualla and Mirima Hill.Primary REE mineralization within the fresh carbonatite is primarily found in the central magnesio- to ferrocarbonatite, with monazite and late magmatic REE fluorocarbonates (synchysite/bastnäsite). Experimental studies show REE solubilities in carbonatite melts can be high (up to >10 wt%), suggesting magmatic processes played a significant role in the initial REE enrichment.The Power of Weathering: Supergene Enrichment:The current economic REE resources are almost exclusively hosted within a thick lateritic regolith (weathering profile) overlying the carbonatite, ranging from 10 to over 120 meters in thickness.This weathering profile developed post-Permian glaciation and prior to Eocene lacustrine sediments, suggesting a formation period during the Late Mesozoic to Early Cenozoic.The extreme REE enrichment (up to 50% TREO in grab samples) is largely attributed to long-term leaching and redeposition by groundwater movement.The highest REE concentrations occur in a central topographic low of the laterite, indicating significant lateral REE mobility towards this "solution sink hole".Studies indicate a ~5x upgrade in REE (and Nb) concentrations from the primary carbonatite to the overlying paleoregolith, with minimal horizontal migration of ore elements on a complex scale during weathering. This means the regolith broadly reflects the underlying carbonatite's trace element signatureSources:Australian Mines AtlasMount Weld Deposit Summary ReportPorterGeo Database - Mount WeldThe primary geology of the Paleoproterozoic Mt Weld Carbonatite Complex, Western AustraliaMineralogy and Distribution of REE in Oxidised Ores of the Mount Weld Laterite Deposit, Western AustraliaRare-earth element mineralisation within the Mt. Weld carbonatite laterite, Western AustraliaDisclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    18 min
  • Understanding Rare-Earth Elements – From Earth to Industry

    Understanding Rare-Earth Elements – From Earth to Industry
    Jun 5 2025
    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of Rare-Earth Elements (REEs), a group of seventeen specialty metals crucial for high-technology industries due to their unique chemical, magnetic, and luminescent properties. We'll explore where these vital elements are found, how they are classified, and the complex processes involved in extracting them from the Earth.What are Rare-Earth Elements?REEs include the lanthanide series (lanthanum to lutetium) and yttrium, with scandium also often discussed in this group.They are strategically important commodities, increasingly attractive targets for the mineral industry.REEs are used in various applications, such as high-strength permanent magnets, catalysts for petroleum refining, metal and glass additives, and phosphors used in electronic displays.Australian REE Deposits and Geological SettingsAustralia holds significant REE resources, found in diverse geological environments including igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.Elevated concentrations of REEs have been documented in various deposit types, including: Heavy-mineral sand deposits (beach, dune, marine tidal, and channel); Carbonatite intrusions and (per)alkaline igneous rocks, Iron-oxide breccia complexes and calc-silicate rocks (skarns); Fluorapatite veins, pegmatites, phosphorites, fluviatile sandstones, unconformity-related uranium deposits, and lignites.The mineral-system approach is used to classify major Australian REE deposits. This framework helps understand the geological processes critical for deposit formation and aids in identifying new areas for mineralization.The highest level of this classification includes four general 'mineral-system association' categories: regolith, basinal, metamorphic, and magmatic.Key REE-Bearing MineralsThe only REE-bearing minerals commercially extracted on a large scale are bastnäsite, monazite, and xenotime.Bastnäsite: A cerium-type mineral that is a major source of light rare earth elements (LREEs).Monazite: A phosphate mineral, primarily a cerium-type mineral rich in Ce, La, Pr, and Nd. It also contains thorium and variable amounts of uranium.Xenotime: A yttrium phosphate mineral that is a major source of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs). It is often found with monazite and extracted as a by-product.Ion-adsorbed clays are also important sources of HREEs, occurring as rare earth element ions.Other REE-bearing minerals, such as eudialyte, synchysite, samarskite, allanite, zircon, steenstrupine, cheralite, rhabdophane, apatite, florenceite, fergusonite, loparite, perovskite, cerianite, and pyrochlore, are also found, though only some are economically significant.Beneficiation of REE-Bearing MineralsBeneficiation refers to the processes used to concentrate REE-bearing minerals from raw ore.Common techniques include gravity separation, magnetic separation, electrostatic separation, and froth flotation.Froth Flotation is particularly crucial for complex ores, like the Bayan Obo deposit in China, where fine grain size makes other methods difficult.Flotation often involves using fatty-acid or hydroxamate-based collector systems. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the geological settings, resources, and beneficiation techniques for rare-earth elements, drawing on the latest information from Australian and international sources.Sources:Australian Mines AtlasGeological setting and resources of the major rare-earth-element deposits in Australia.The story of rare earth elements (REEs): Occurrences, global distribution, genesis, geology, mineralogy and global production.A review of the beneficiation of rare earth element bearing mineralsDisclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    45 min
  • Unearthing the geology of the Winu-Ngapakarra Copper-Gold-Silver deposit – Australia's New Copper-Gold Frontier

    Unearthing the geology of the Winu-Ngapakarra Copper-Gold-Silver deposit – Australia's New Copper-Gold Frontier
    Jun 4 2025
    Join us as we explore the geology of the remarkable Winu-Ngapakarra copper-gold-silver deposit in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert, a discovery that's reshaping our understanding of mineral potential in the Paterson Orogen. Discovered by Rio Tinto Exploration in late 2017, Winu represents a unique new deposit style and is generating significant excitement for future exploration.Key Takeaways from this Episode:Location and Regional Context: The Winu deposit is situated within the Paterson Orogen, a NNW-trending belt of folded and metamorphosed Proterozoic rocks in northwestern Australia. This region is considered an important and developing mineral province. The deposit itself sits on the Anketell Shelf, a Proterozoic basement high within the Paterson Orogen, largely covered by younger sedimentary rocks.Host Rocks and Metamorphism: Mineralization at Winu is hosted in metamorphosed sub-arkosic sandstones, siltstones, minor greywackes, mafic rocks, and calc-silicates. These rocks are preliminarily correlated with the Lamil Group, specifically the upper Malu Formation, which also hosts the renowned Telfer deposit. The rocks underwent regional metamorphism up to upper greenschist/lower amphibolite facies, with a contact metamorphic overprint, often visible as altered porphyroblasts.Structural Story: The deposit's structure is dominated by a NNW-trending, W-verging monocline, interpreted to have formed during the older Miles Orogeny (~820-810 Ma). This structure was later refolded during the Paterson Orogeny (~550 Ma), leading to the formation of a half-domal structure at Winu. Key regional features include the Thorny Devil Fault, a significant NW-trending normal fault that separates the Winu and Ngapakarra deposits.Intrusion-Related Mineralization: Winu is classified as a wall rock-hosted, intrusion-related copper-gold deposit, genetically linked to granite intrusions. Geochronology dates the main mineralization stages (V2 and V3A) at approximately 658 to 655 Ma, while later veins (V4) are dated around 619.0 ± 8.1 Ma.The "Bismuth Collector Model" for Gold: A fascinating aspect of Winu is that gold precipitation is thought to have occurred via the bismuth collector model. This process involves hydrothermal fluids, initially above 270°C and relatively reduced, forming a bismuth (telluride) melt that efficiently scavenged gold from the gold-undersaturated fluid. Textures show a progression from native bismuth and gold (maldonite) to tellurobismuth minerals and then bismuthinite associated with sulfides. This suggests an early gold system was overprinted by a later copper system.Hydrothermal Vein Systems: The deposit features multiple generations of hydrothermal veins: Early Stockwork (V1), Early Mineralized (V2), Main Stage (V3A-D), Late Quartz Veins (V4), and Late Fractures/Breccias (V5).Supergene Enrichment: The upper parts of the Winu deposit, those not covered by mudstones, show supergene upgrading of mineralization to depths averaging 200 m, and locally up to 340 m. This has resulted in the formation of minerals like chalcocite, malachite, and chrysocolla.Exploration Significance: The discovery of Winu as a significant intrusion-related copper-gold deposit opens up substantial future exploration opportunities in this relatively underexplored part of Australia, particularly in the concealed northern extension of the Paterson Province.Sources:⁠Winu Deposit Summary Report⁠⁠Australian Mines Atlas⁠⁠Rio Tinto Website⁠⁠PorterGeo Database - Winu-Ngapakarra⁠⁠Geology of Winu-Ngapakarra, Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia⁠⁠The Winu-Ngapakarra deposit in the Great Sandy Desert of WA⁠⁠MEGWA18 May 2022: The Winu-Ngapakarra Copper Gold Deposit⁠ (YouTube)⁠Winu Blog Post⁠Disclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    55 min
  • The Winu Project: Discovery to Development

    The Winu Project: Discovery to Development
    Jun 3 2025
    Welcome to our podcast! Today, we're diving into the Winu Project, a significant copper-gold-silver discovery by Rio Tinto in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region.The Discovery and What Lies Beneath:Discovered in December 2017, Winu is interpreted as a structurally controlled, vein-hosted copper-gold-silver deposit within Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rocks. It is considered a new intrusion-related copper-gold deposit.The project is situated on the Anketell Shelf of the Yeneena Basin, which is entirely covered by Phanerozoic sediments, typically ranging from 50 to 100 meters thick.The mineralisation at Winu features primary sulphide deposits that are overlain by a supergene blanket containing secondary copper minerals and native copper. This supergene zone, where weathering has upgraded the mineralisation, can extend to average depths of 200 meters, and locally up to 340 meters.As of December 2021, the total mineral resource estimate for Winu is 503 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.45% copper equivalent (CuEq). This includes 57 million tonnes in the supergene zone and 446 million tonnes in the hypogene (primary) zone, both reported at a 0.2% CuEq cut-off.How Exploration is Done:Exploration drilling at Winu utilizes a combination ofangled diamond (DD) and vertical and angled reverse circulation (RC) drilling methods. Core recovery from drilling is generally very high, typically exceeding 99%.Samples from both diamond core and RC drilling aremeticulously prepared and sent to an ALS Limited laboratory in Perth, where they undergo processes like drying, crushing, splitting, and pulverizing.Analysis includes 51 elements using 4-acid digestionfollowed by ICP-OES/MS measurements, and gold (Au) analysis by fire assay. Quality control measures, such as the inclusion of duplicates, blanks, and certified reference materials, are consistently applied to ensure acceptable accuracy and precision.Moving Towards Mining Operations:The Winu Project proposes the development of an open-pit mine that will extend below the water table, employing conventional drill and blast, and load and haul operations.Key infrastructure for the mine will include waste rock landforms (WRLs) and a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The TSF will be constructed from waste rock, serving as a permanent storage location, and is planned to progressively build out to a final height of approximately 60 meters. Potentially acid-forming (PAF) waste rock will be encapsulated within non-acid forming (NAF) material during operations to manage environmental risks.Environmental and Community Focus:Rio Tinto is actively addressing various environmental considerations for the project. The proposal indicates the clearing of up to 4,868 hectares of native vegetation within the larger 37,344-hectare Development Envelope.Extensive surveys have been conducted on terrestrial and subterranean fauna, identifying potential impacts on species such as the Northern Quoll (Endangered), Bilby (Vulnerable), and Fork-tailed Swift (Migratory). Measures to mitigate these impacts include specifying equipment design to be within Australian standard noise limits and shielding permanent lighting to minimize light spill in active mine areas.The Winu Project is located within the Native Title Determination Areas of the Nyangumarta and Martu people.Significant efforts in cultural heritage surveys, involving both Nyangumarta and Martu representatives, have been undertaken since 2017.This project highlights the complex balance between resource development and environmental and social responsibility in remote Australian landscapes.Sources:Winu Deposit Summary ReportAustralian Mines AtlasRio Tinto WebsitePorterGeo Database - Winu-NgapakarraGeology of Winu-Ngapakarra, Great Sandy Desert of Western AustraliaThe Winu-Ngapakarra deposit in the Great Sandy Desert of WAYouTubeWinu Blog PostDisclaimer:AI generated content created using Google's NotebookLM.
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    29 min