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Year 8 Geology: Overview

Copper

Copper
Uses, properties and history of Copper, and information about where and how it is mined in Australia.
Government of South Australia: Energy and Mining - Copper
Copper properties, uses and major mines.

Nickel

Nickel
Properties, uses and history of nickel, and information about where and how it is mined in Australia.
Department of Mines and Petroleum (WA): Nickel
Western Australia is currently the sole producer of nickel in Australia and accounts for seven per cent of the world’s production.

Phosphates

Phosphate
Information about phosphate and its uses, and about how and where it is mined in South Australia.
Phosphate rock
Uses of phosphate and information about where and how it is mined in Victoria.

Bauxite (Aluminium Ore)

Aluminium
Aluminium is smelted from alumina which is refined from bauxite ore. All three products have a number of uses.
Australian Bauxite
Australian Aluminium Council website, with links to fact sheets about the major bauxite mines in Australia.

Iron Ore

Iron
Properties, uses and history of Iron, with information on its mining and extraction in Australia.

Research topic

To what extent does ____________________________ advance society?

(insert your chosen mineral resource)

Do all communities benefit from these resources? What are the pros and cons?

Australian Minerals Mining

Australian mineral facts
Overview of the main minerals mined in Australia, with links fro information about mining in each state and territory.
Minerals from Australia - Australian Museum
Historical information about some of the main minerals mined in Australia.
Minerals Council of Australia: Mining Facts
The Australian minerals industry is a major contributor to national income, investment, high-wage jobs, exports and government revenues.

Major mining companies in Australia

BHP
BHP mine copper, nickel and iron ore.
Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto operates Australian sites mining iron ore, bauxite and uranium, as well as processing facilities for aluminium.
Fortescue Metals
One of the world's largest producers of iron ore.
Newcrest
Newcrest operate the Cadia gold mine in NSW.
South32
South32 operate several mines in Australia, including alumina and bauxite mines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Search for your chosen mineral on Britannica, for an overview of the mineral and its uses.

Assessment

Year 8 Geology Research Assessment

Gold

Gold
Uses, properties and history of Gold, and information about where and how it is mined in Australia.
Department of Mines and Petroleum (WA): Gold
There are currently 66 operating gold mines in Australia including 14 of the world’s largest, 11 of which are in Western Australia.
Minerals Council of Australia - Gold
Australia’s gold exports generated $25.8 billion in revenue in 2022.

About the Super Pit
The Super Pit One of Australia’s largest open pit gold mines, located in Kalgoorlie, WA.

Uranium

Australia's Uranium
Where uranium is mined in Australia, its uses and economic benefits.
Australian Parliament House: Australia's Uranium Mines
History of uranium mines, the process involved and the environmental impacts.
Ranger Uranium Mine – The End of an Era
Until 8 January 2021, there were three operational uranium mines in Australia: Ranger in the Northern Territory (NT), and Olympic Dam and Beverley Four Mile in South Australia. That number has now been reduced with the cessation of mining and processing activities at Ranger Mine in January 2021.
Uranium: untapped potential
Minerals Council of Australia website with further information on the uses of uranium.

Lithium

Australia has a gleaming opportunity as lithium production set to triple
The precious mineral is a key component in electric vehicle batteries, with the global lithium market expected to be worth $24.42 billion by 2028, up from $10.3 billion in 2021.

Lithium
Uses and properties of Lithium.
Note: this resource is from 2017. Demand for lithium for batteries may have increased since then.
Australia’s potential in the lithium market
Demand for lithium is expected to rise rapidly in the future, and Australia has a unique opportunity to make the most of it.
Article published by mining company McKinsey& Company.

Tungsten

Tungsten
Properties and uses of Tungsten.
Tungsten Mining: Projects Overview
Locations of tungsten deposits which may be mined in future by company Tungsten Mining.