Lyla Lindsey
Limonite is an iron ore that has been mined for the production of iron since at least 400 BC. It is a mixture of hydrated iron(III) oxide-hydroxides with a variable composition. Limonite is one of the three principal iron ores, the others being hematite and magnetite. It is often deposited in run-off streams from mining operations and is usually found in lateritic soils. In Australia, limonite can be found in Western Australia, in the Pilbara district, and in South Australia, in the Middleback Range.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Limonite in Australia | Radium Hill area, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia |
| Kirkeeks Treasure Mine, Koonamore Station, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia | |
| Wearing Gorge, Wertaloona, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia | |
| Mt Painter area, Arkaroola, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia | |
| Woodlands variscite gold occurrence, Woodlands Station, Meekatharra Shire, Western Australia | |
| Trenton Gold Mine, Day Dawn Goldfield, Cue, Cue Shire, Western Australia | |
| Yinnietharra, Upper Gascoyne Shire, Western Australia | |
| General Characteristics | |
| Colour | Medium to dark yellowish-brown |
| Streak on Unglazed Porcelain | Yellowish-brown |
| Hardness | 1-5 |
| Composition | Mixture of hydrated iron(III) oxide-hydroxides |
| Formula | FeO(OH)·nH2O |
| Density | 2.7-4.3 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Limonite in South Australia
Limonite is a mixture of hydrated iron oxides that can contain up to 60% of iron. Iron was first discovered in Australia by Edward John Eyre in the Middleback Ranges in South Australia. Limonite deposits can be found in several locations in South Australia, including:
- Wearing Gorge, Wertaloona, Pastoral Unincorporated Area
- Mt Painter area, Arkaroola, Pastoral Unincorporated Area
- Radium Hill area, Pastoral Unincorporated Area
- Kirkeeks Treasure Mine, Koonamore Station, Pastoral Unincorporated Area
A rare specimen of native gold with limonite can also be found in Wadnaminga goldfield, Olary Province, South Australia. The gold is very lustrous with angular and sharp crystals deposited throughout the limonite matrix as a rich vein of gold.
Applying to US Universities: A Guide for Australians
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Limonite in Western Australia
Limonite is a mixture of hydrated iron oxides that can contain up to 60% iron. Iron was first discovered in Australia by explorer Edward John Eyre in the Middleback Ranges in South Australia. Limonite deposits can be found in several locations in Western Australia, including:
- Woodlands variscite gold occurrence, Woodlands Station, Meekatharra Shire
- Trenton Gold Mine, Day Dawn Goldfield, Cue Shire
- Yinnietharra, Upper Gascoyne Shire
- Radium Hill area, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia
- Kirkeeks Treasure Mine, Koonamore Station, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia
- Wearing Gorge, Wertaloona, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia
- Mt Painter area, Arkaroola, Pastoral Unincorporated Area, South Australia
In Western Australia, iron ore deposits are found in the Pilbara (e.g. Yarrie) and the Yilgarn Block (e.g. Koolyanobbing). Almost 90% of identified iron ore resources in Australia occur in Western Australia, particularly in the Hamersley Province, which is one of the world's major iron ore-producing regions.
Exploring Australia's Natural Abundance of Unique Elements
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Iron deposits in Australia
Iron deposits are found across all Australian states and territories, but almost 90% of identified resources are located in Western Australia, specifically in the Hamersley Province, which is one of the world's major iron ore-producing regions. Western Australia is home to some of the largest iron ore deposits on Earth, and 96% of Australia's iron ore comes from this state.
The iron ore deposits in Western Australia are 2.45 billion years old and are found in the Pilbara region, particularly in the Hamersley Range, where they are mined from sedimentary rock deposits called banded iron formations (BIFs). These deposits are composed of rhythmic bands of reddish iron and paler silica, with an iron content of generally less than 30%. To become economically viable for mining, the rock must be naturally converted to around 60% iron through processes that involve the removal of silica and the introduction of more iron.
The major iron ore mines in Western Australia include the Yandi Mine, Mount Whaleback Mine, Jimblebar Hub, and Area C Mine, all owned by BHP, as well as the Yandicoogina Mine, owned by Rio Tinto. These mines are expected to continue operating until at least 2023, with some planning to operate until 2036 and beyond.
In addition to Western Australia, South Australia also has significant iron deposits, with explorer Edward John Eyre discovering iron in the Middleback Ranges. Iron deposits in South Australia include Iron Duke and the Middleback Range in the southern region.
Get an Australian Passport Fast: The Complete Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Limonite in Arkaroola
Limonite is a mixture of hydrated iron oxides that can contain up to 60% of iron. Iron was first discovered in Australia by explorer Edward John Eyre in the Middleback Ranges in South Australia. Limonite is found in several locations in Australia, including the Arkaroola area in South Australia.
Limonite is found in the Mt Painter area of Arkaroola, a pastoral unincorporated area in South Australia. It is also found in the Wearing Gorge, a few miles from Arkaroola Station, in the form of limonite pseudomorphous after pyrite crystals. These crystals are brown in colour and are about 3.2 by 2.0 cm in size.
The Pinnacles Mine at Mount Fitton homestead, Arkaroola, is another source of limonite. Here, limonite is found coating magnesite-siderite plates. The limonite at this site has been photographed using a 5MP Chinese unbranded CMOS camera with bellows and a FYSCOPE 4X Plan Achromatic Objective Lens. The image was processed with Zerene stacker DMap and post-stacking cleanup with Faststone.
Limonite is also found in the Kirkeeks Treasure Mine in Koonamore Station, which is also a pastoral unincorporated area in South Australia. This site is known for its dark brown limonite pseudomorph of pyrite pyritohedrons, which are about 32mm by 27mm by 27mm in size.
Amazon's Australian Adventure: A Founding Timeline
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Limonite in Wertaloona
Limonite is a mineral that is widely distributed in Australia, with significant deposits found in South Australia. Wertaloona, a pastoral unincorporated area in South Australia, is particularly known for its limonite occurrences. Limonite deposits are found in the Wearing Gorge area of Wertaloona, which is located in the North Flinders Ranges. This scenic region is about 70 km northeast of Blinman and is officially known as Mount Chambers Gorge. The limonite deposits in Wertaloona are specifically recognised for their pseudomorphs after pyrite.
Limonite is a mineral species that primarily consists of goethite, a yellow-brown iron oxide mineral. However, it can also include varying proportions of other minerals such as lepidocrocite, hematite, and maghemite, along with impurities like quartz and clays. Limonite is a valuable source of iron, which is essential for modern civilisation and is the foundation of Australia's major export industries.
Australia is one of the largest producers of iron ore globally, and limonite deposits play a significant role in this industry. While limonite has a lower iron content than some other ores, it is still prized for its relatively low impurities. The limonite deposits in Wertaloona contribute to the country's extensive iron ore resources, which are predominantly found in Western Australia, particularly in the Hamersley Province and the Pilbara district.
The discovery of iron in Australia by explorer Edward John Eyre in the Middleback Ranges of South Australia further emphasised the significance of regions like Wertaloona. Wertaloona's limonite deposits, along with those in other regions, contribute to Australia's vast iron ore reserves, making it a key player in the global iron and steel industries. These deposits are crucial for the economic extraction of metallic iron and the production of various alloys, ensuring the country's competitiveness in the international market.
Giraffes in Australia: An Unexpected Resident?
You may want to see also
