The Malbunka Copper Mine (MCM)is operated by Dehne McLaughlin via an agreement under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and a Mineral Lease granted by the Northern Territory Government (ML 29494).

Dehne is a mineral collector with a wide ranging professional background, including Geology and operates the mine project specifically for mineral specimen recovery no different to the Rogerly fluorite mine in England. A land rental and royalty is paid to the land owners and an annual administration fee to the Central Land Council. Exploration and mining occurs underground. A decline started in 2009 in the underground workings, seen in attached photos, shows where miningno mheight 0 has delineated high quality specimens including crystalline lustrous blue azurite nodules, as well as the more location specific azurite "suns" for which this mine is noted.

The previous mine name up to 2005 was "Namajtira prospect" (near Areyonga or Utju). However, this name was changed by the Western Aranda Malbunka clan and their relevant djungaiyi/kurtungkula (ie "managers") in 2005. The Malbunka land owning clan was never consulted by the initial miners or government when the name was first assigned to the site.

Under Aboriginal law, no person has the right to impose a clan name from a separate clan area over other clan areas, hence respect for Aboriginal law via the name change was fundamental to commencing the mineral specimen exploration and mining project.

In addition to azurite suns and malachite found in the near pure kaolinite lens, minor azurite, malachite and atacamite is found in brown arkosic sandstone. A siliceous and atacamite rich alteration rim surrounds the kaolin lens containing the azurite. Sulfides and copper oxides were found in a cut 200m behind hill. Research is ongoing on the genesis of this unusual mineralising event and includes isotopic, trace element analysis, clay type analysis and solid grain extraction from the clays wherein micro crystals of tourmaline are found.

Located 15 km south-east of Areyonga (Utju) and 260 km west of Alice Springs.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References