The Mount Isa mining complex in northwestern Queensland is one of the world’s great concentrated sources of base metals. For nearly a century the area around the town of Mount Isa has hosted large-scale extraction of copper, lead and zinc, creating a cluster of industrial facilities — underground mines, concentrators, smelters and refineries — that […]
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Cobaltoan calcite is a striking variety of the common mineral calcite that owes its vivid pink to magenta hues to the presence of trace cobalt. Although it shares many physical properties with ordinary calcite, its coloration, associations and the geological environments in which it forms make it a favorite among mineral collectors, lapidaries and researchers.
The Broken Hill mine, set in the arid interior of Australia, is one of the planet’s most storied mineral districts. For more than a century it has produced vast quantities of silver, lead and zinc from a unique and exceptionally rich orebody. The town that grew around the deposit became the birthplace of one of
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Clinozoisite is a fascinating and often overlooked member of the epidote group of minerals. Although it rarely headlines gem collections in the way beryl or garnet do, it plays a central role in understanding many metamorphic and hydrothermal processes. This article will explore the mineral’s chemistry and structure, its characteristic environments of occurrence, practical and
The Hillgrove Mine, perched in the highlands of northern New South Wales, is a notable example of an Australian site where two economically and strategically important commodities — antimony and gold — are produced from the same geological system. Its history weaves together nineteenth-century prospecting, twentieth-century industrial cycles and twenty‑first-century shifts in global demand for
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Silver has fascinated people for millennia, prized both for its shimmering beauty and its remarkable physical and chemical qualities. This article explores where silver occurs in nature, how it is extracted and processed, the many applications that depend on its unique properties, and some intriguing historical and contemporary uses. Along the way, the text highlights
The global steel industry is undergoing a transformation driven by climate goals, technological innovation and changing market expectations. As companies and governments pursue pathways to cut carbon, a new generation of low-carbon and zero-carbon steel — often called green steel — is emerging. This transition will not only alter how steel is produced, but also
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Clinohumite is an uncommon and intriguing member of the humite group of nesosilicates. Its striking colors, unique crystal chemistry, and geological settings make it a subject of interest both for mineral collectors and for researchers who study mantle processes and metasomatism. This article explores the mineralogy, occurrences, applications, and fascinating scientific roles of clinohumite, with
The Sunrise Dam gold mine is one of Western Australia’s long‑running producers, combining decades of exploration, mining and processing in the heart of the state’s eastern goldfields. Located in a remote but geologically rich setting, the operation has evolved through changing technology and economics to remain a significant contributor to regional employment, state revenue and
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Cinnabar is one of the most visually striking and historically important minerals on Earth. Known for its deep, luminous red and its role as the principal ore of mercury, cinnabar has fascinated miners, artists, alchemists and scientists for millennia. This article explores where cinnabar is found, how it forms, its many uses — from the
