Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia i
Regional Level Types
Weipa - not defined -
Cook Shire Shire
Queensland State
Australia Country

Eta-alumina and tohdite (akdalaite) has been discovered in the bauxitic pisoliths of Weipa.
There are several large deposits along the coast.

The Weipa bauxite deposit, located in northern Queensland, Australia, is a laterite-type deposit covering approximately 11,000 km2, making it the world’s largest proven bauxite resource. The mine, operated by Rio Tinto since 1963, plays a crucial role in global aluminium production. With an annual output exceeding 34 million tonnes, Weipa is a significant contributor to the aluminium industry. In 2023, the mine produced approximately 35.13 million tonnes of bauxite, accounting for about 8.8% of the estimated 400 million tonnes of global bauxite production and around 35% of Australia’s total output.
The deposit consists of pisolitic bauxite ore, characterized by a loose texture and a thickness ranging from zero to approximately 10 meters. The formation of the bauxite resulted from the in situ weathering (or intensive leaching) of kaolinite, quartz, and iron oxide minerals. The development of alumina-rich soil is primarily influenced by aluminous bedrock, high rainfall, effective vertical drainage, and a generally flat topography.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.

ⓘ Bauxite (Aluminium)

Mineral List

Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

13 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Akdalaite

Formula: Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂

References:

Tilley, D. B., & Eggleton, R. A. (1996). The natural occurrence of eta-alumina (η-Al2O3) in bauxite. Clays and clay minerals, 44(5), 658-664.

ⓘ Anatase

Formula: TiO₂

References:

Tilley, D. B., & Eggleton, R. A. (1996). The natural occurrence of eta-alumina (η-Al2O3) in bauxite. Clays and clay minerals, 44(5), 658-664.

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ Bayerite

Formula: Al(OH)₃

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ Böhmite

Formula: AlO(OH)

Localities:

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Weipa Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

ⓘ Gibbsite

Formula: Al(OH)₃

Localities:

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Weipa Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Chin Chin pit (Chinchin pit), Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

ⓘ Goethite

Formula: Fe³⁺O(OH)

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ Hematite

Formula: Fe₂O₃

Localities:

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Weipa Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Chin Chin pit (Chinchin pit), Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

ⓘ Kaolinite

Formula: Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄

Localities:

ⓘ Lithiophorite

Formula: (Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂

Locality: Chin Chin pit (Chinchin pit), Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, R. A., Foster, L. D., Tilley, D. B., Le Gleuher, M., Morgan, C. M. (2008) Nature of the Weipa Bauxite deposit, northern Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 55 (sup1). S45-S70 doi:10.1080/08120090802438241

ⓘ Maghemite

Formula: (Fe³⁺_0.67◻_0.33)Fe³⁺₂O₄

Localities:

Weipa Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

ⓘ Muscovite

Formula: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite

Formula: K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ Quartz

Formula: SiO₂

Localities:

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Weipa Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia
Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

ⓘ 'Smectite Group'

Formula: A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O

References:

Taylor, G., Eggleton, T. (2004) "Little Balls”: The origin of the Weipa bauxite. In: Roach, I.C. (ed.) (2004) Regolith 2004, CRC LEME, pp. 350-354.

ⓘ 'UM1996-16-O:Al'

Formula: η-Al₂O₃

Locality: Andoom Mine, Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia

References:

Tilley, D.B., Eggleton, R.A. (1996): The natural occurrence of eta-alumina (η-Al2O3) in bauxite. Clays Clay Minerals: 44: 658–664

in: Jambor, J.L., Puziewicz, J., Roberts, A.C. (1997): New mineral names. American Mineralogist: 82: 623

ⓘ Zircon

Formula: Zr(SiO₄)

References:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ	Goethite	4.00.	Fe³⁺O(OH)
ⓘ	Maghemite	4.BB.15	(Fe³⁺_0.67◻_0.33)Fe³⁺₂O₄
ⓘ	Hematite	4.CB.05	Fe₂O₃
ⓘ	Quartz	4.DA.05	SiO₂
ⓘ	Anatase	4.DD.05	TiO₂
ⓘ	Bayerite	4.FE.10	Al(OH)₃
ⓘ	Gibbsite	4.FE.10	Al(OH)₃
ⓘ	Böhmite	4.FE.15	AlO(OH)
ⓘ	Lithiophorite	4.FE.25	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
ⓘ	Akdalaite	4.FL.70	Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ	Zircon	9.AD.30	Zr(SiO₄)
ⓘ	Muscovite var. Illite	9.EC.15	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
ⓘ		9.EC.15	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
ⓘ	Kaolinite	9.ED.05	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Unclassified
ⓘ	'Smectite Group'	-	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O
ⓘ	'UM1996-16-O:Al'	-	η-Al₂O₃

List of minerals for each chemical element

H	Hydrogen
H	ⓘ Akdalaite	Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Bayerite	Al(OH)₃
H	ⓘ Böhmite	AlO(OH)
H	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
H	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
H	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
H	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
H	ⓘ Lithiophorite	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
H	ⓘ Smectite Group	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O
Li	Lithium
Li	ⓘ Lithiophorite	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
O	Oxygen
O	ⓘ Akdalaite	Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
O	ⓘ Bayerite	Al(OH)₃
O	ⓘ Böhmite	AlO(OH)
O	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
O	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
O	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
O	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
O	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
O	ⓘ Lithiophorite	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Maghemite	(Fe³⁺_0.67◻_0.33)Fe₂³⁺O₄
O	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
O	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
O	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
O	ⓘ Smectite Group	A_0.3D_2-3[T₄O₁₀]Z₂ · nH₂O
O	ⓘ UM1996-16-O:Al	η-Al₂O₃
Al	Aluminium
Al	ⓘ Akdalaite	Al₁₀O₁₄(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Bayerite	Al(OH)₃
Al	ⓘ Böhmite	AlO(OH)
Al	ⓘ Gibbsite	Al(OH)₃
Al	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Al	ⓘ Lithiophorite	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Al	ⓘ UM1996-16-O:Al	η-Al₂O₃
Si	Silicon
Si	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Kaolinite	Al₂(Si₂O₅)(OH)₄
Si	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Si	ⓘ Quartz	SiO₂
Si	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)
K	Potassium
K	ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite	K_0.65Al_2.0[Al_0.65Si_3.35O₁₀](OH)₂
K	ⓘ Muscovite	KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂
Ti	Titanium
Ti	ⓘ Anatase	TiO₂
Mn	Manganese
Mn	ⓘ Lithiophorite	(Al,Li)MnO₂(OH)₂
Fe	Iron
Fe	ⓘ Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
Fe	ⓘ Hematite	Fe₂O₃
Fe	ⓘ Maghemite	(Fe³⁺_0.67◻_0.33)Fe₂³⁺O₄
Zr	Zirconium
Zr	ⓘ Zircon	Zr(SiO₄)

Localities in this Region

Australia

Queensland
- Cook Shire
  - Weipa
    - Andoom Mine
      - Chin Chin pit (Chinchin pit)
    - Weipa Mine

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

Australia

Carpentaria BasinBasin
North Australian ElementCraton
Queensland
- Cook Shire
  - Cape York PeninsulaPeninsula

Australian PlateTectonic Plate

North Australian Craton
- Cape York BeltShield

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Tilley, D. B., & Eggleton, R. A. (1996). The natural occurrence of eta-alumina (η-Al2O3) in bauxite. Clays and clay minerals, 44(5), 658-664.

[1]Erten, Oktay, Deutsch, Clayton V. (2025) Joint Modeling of Floor Elevations and Thickness of a Bauxite Unit Considering Trend, Histogram and Variogram Uncertainty. Minerals, 15 (3). doi:10.3390/min15030311

Quick NavTop Commodities Mineral List Rock Types Localities in Region Other Regions References

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, AustraliaiRegional Level TypesWeipa- not defined - Cook ShireShire QueenslandState AustraliaCountry function showexplain() { $("#locexplain").toggle(); if (typeof movemap === "function") movemap(); }

Select Mineral List Type

Commodity List

Mineral List

Rock Types Recorded

Select Rock List Type

Detailed Mineral List:

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

List of minerals for each chemical element

Localities in this Region

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References

Weipa, Cook Shire, Queensland, Australia i
Regional Level Types
Weipa - not defined -
Cook Shire Shire
Queensland State
Australia Country