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In 2010-11, NSW produced industrial minerals valued at approximately $130 million.
Industrial minerals are composed mainly of non-metallic minerals that are utilised in a range of different ways. NSW has a vast array of industrial minerals including clays, diatomite, dimension stone, dolomite, feldspar, garnet, gemstones, gypsum, limestone, magnesite, magnetite, mineral sands (including rutile and zircon), serpentinite, silica and zeolites. There are also deposits of barite, prophyllite and vermiculite in NSW which are not currently mined.
In 2008-09, total production in NSW of mineral sands was 255,778 t.
Mineral sands are processed predominantly for rutile and zircon with smaller amounts of ilmenite and monazite.
Mineral sands were first mined in Australia in the 1930s at Byron Bay on the NSW North Coast. Mineral sands production is expanding near Broken Hill in the far west of NSW, which is known to be one of the world’s prime mineral sand provinces. This expansion is contributing to Australia’s status as holding the world’s largest known resources of rutile (50%) and zircon (45%).
- Rutile and Ilmenite
Rutile and ilmenite are employed in the manufacturing of titanium pigment which has a range of use such as in paints, sunscreens, plastics, paper, inks and textiles. Rutile and ilmenite are also used to manufacture titanium metal. With its unique properties of strength, light weight and non-toxicity, titanium metal is ideal for uses in the aviation and aerospace industries as well as for artificial limbs, pacemakers, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
− Zircon
Zircon, which is a hard glassy material, is another derivative of minerals sands. Zircon is used in the manufacture of glazes for ceramic tiles, pottery and dinnerware. Its low toxicity has also led to its use in the manufacture of phosphates for kidney dialysis, in medicines, pharmaceuticals and food products.
Serpentinite is used predominantly as flux in steelmaking, with the Port Kembla Steelworks being a major domestic consumer. In 2008-09 NSW produced 25,126 t of sepentinite.
There are ten different types of silica including variations of fine silica and coarse silica. Silica sand, a type of fine silica, is used in the manufacturing of cement and glass. Coarse silica is used in steelmaking, as decorative aggregate and as filtration gravels. Quartz, a type of coarse silica, is used as reinforcing filler in paints and electronics.
Zeolite production in NSW is on the increase due to its versatility. It is used for a variety of purposes including in agriculture, water treatment, soils, pet litters and sewage treatment. Zeolites are currently produced in the New England region of NSW.
There are three different types of clay which are mined in NSW: structural clays, kaolin clays and bentonite clay. In 2008-09, NSW produced 2Mt of clay.
Structural clay is the most popular form of clay produced in NSW and is used in building products such as bricks and pipes. The largest use for Kaolin is in the production of paper, including ensuring the gloss on some grades of paper. Bentonite can be used in cement, adhesives, ceramic bodies, and cat litter.
Diatomite is sedimentary rock composed of the fossilised remains of microscopic aquatic plants called diatoms.
Diatomite is used as a filtering aid, most commonly in pharmaceutical products, chemicals and foodstuffs, because of its ability to remove particles as small as 0.1 micron in size. There is currently only one producer of diatomite in NSW near Barraba.
There are four main classifications of dimension stone: granite, sandstone, marble and slate. These are used in buildings as features, walls, floors, fittings and bench-tops. There are several producers of dimension stone in NSW and it is used both domestically and as an export product.
Dolomite is similar in composition to limestone and is used principally in chemicals, fertiliser and as metallurgical flux. Dolomite is currently mined in two locations in NSW however there is potential for further mining of dolomite as it is known to occur in several locations throughout the State.
Feldspar is composed of a range of terrestrial rocks which are found in the Earth’s crust. Feldspar is used for industrial purposes because of its alumina and alkali content, in glassmaking, ceramics and tiles. Feldspar is also used in minor quantities in paint, plastics, rubber and adhesives. The Broken Hill deposit is the major current source of feldspar in NSW.
Garnet is used predominantly as an abrasive but is also used in non-skid surfaces like roads and pavements. Garnet production in NSW is currently limited, with only 1 t produced in 2008-09.
NSW is fortunate to have natural resources in the form of gemstones, including opals, sapphires and rubies. Lightning Ridge’s opal fields produce high-quality black opal, worth approximately $22.5 million in 2008-09. The State also has reserves of diamonds which are not currently mined but were extracted from the 19th to the early 20th century. An exploration process is currently underway to evaluate these diamond reserves.
Gypsum is used as a soil additive and in the building and construction industry for such things as plaster and fibreboards. In 2008-09 production of gypsum in NSW was about 116,000t.
Limestone plays a vital role in the manufacturing of cement and is also used in steelmaking, paints, plastics, paper and chemicals. Limestone is a major industrial mineral in NSW, with 4.4 Mt produced in 2008-09, worth approximately $31 million.
Magnesite is used in agriculture, cement, glass and steelmaking and in the construction industry. It is also used in smaller amounts in medicines and for water purification. Magnesite is produced at various locations in NSW.
Magnetite is highly magnetic and also has a high specific gravity. In NSW magnetite is used for coal washing and processing.
Information for this section has been sourced extensively from the Australian Mines Atlas website and NSW Trade and Investment - Mineral Resources.
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