The Pilbara region in Western Australia is synonymous with giant open-pit mines, endless iron-rich landscapes and a logistics network that feeds the global steel industry. Stretching across a remote, sunbaked part of the continent, this area supplies a substantial share of the world’s seaborne iron ore, shapes national export figures and supports whole towns whose […]
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Rainbow Obsidian is a striking variety of natural volcanic glass prized for its shimmering, layered colors and smooth, glassy luster. Although less common than plain black obsidian, its unique optical effects — a result of microscopic layers and inclusions within the glass — have made it a favorite among collectors, jewelers, and those interested in
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Tantalum is a rare, lustrous metal prized for its exceptional physical and chemical properties. It plays a subtle but critical role in many modern technologies, from tiny electronic components to high-performance aerospace parts and medical devices. This article explores where tantalum is found, how it is extracted and processed, its unique characteristics, diverse applications, and
The global market for scandium is at a pivotal moment. Once a niche specialty metal recovered in tiny quantities, scandium is increasingly visible across advanced industries due to its unique properties. This article examines the evolving balance of supply and demand, the production constraints and opportunities, and how technological advances, policy shifts, and recycling strategies
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The mineral known as Snowflake Obsidian is a striking variety of volcanic glass that draws attention for its monochrome contrasts: deep, mirror-like black interrupted by delicate, flower-like white patches. Those patterns are not surface decorations but internal structures formed during the rock’s cooling and alteration. This article explores the origin, distribution, practical uses and cultural
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The Northparkes mine is a significant Australian copper-gold operation located in the central-west of New South Wales. It combines modern underground mining techniques with a long-lived porphyry orebody to produce concentrates that feed global metal markets. This article explores where Northparkes sits on the map, what minerals it produces, how it operates and processes ore,
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The Boddington mine, located in the south-west of Australia, is one of the country’s most important mineral operations. As a large-scale open-pit complex producing both gold and copper, Boddington has shaped regional development, contributed significantly to export revenues, and become a focal point for debates on modern mining practice, environmental management and community engagement. In
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Tektites are enigmatic droplets of silica-rich material that link terrestrial geology with cosmic events. Born from the extreme conditions of hypervelocity impacts, these pieces of natural glass scatter across the planet in characteristic patterns and have attracted the attention of scientists, collectors, and artisans for centuries. This article explores their origin, distribution, physical and chemical
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Moldavites occupy a fascinating intersection between geology, history and human culture. These distinctive olive to bottle green glasses — the most famous members of the tektite family — are prized for their unusual origin, striking appearance and the stories that surround them. In this article I explore where they occur, how they formed, what people
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The El Soldado site, tucked along the coastal ranges of central Chile, is an important node in the country’s vast copper industry. Though not the largest of Chile’s mines, El Soldado has played a meaningful role in regional development, resource processing and the global supply of copper over decades. This article explores where El Soldado
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