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Koolan Island, Buccaneer Archipelago, Derby-West Kimberley Shire, Western Australia, Australiai
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Koolan Island | Island |
| Buccaneer Archipelago | - not defined - |
| Derby-West Kimberley Shire | Shire |
| Western Australia | State |
| Australia | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
16° 7' 35'' South , 123° 45' 28'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Type:
Köppen climate type:
Koolan Island has been mined for iron ore. Small scale mining started in 1907. A larger mine was established in 1936 by Yampi Sound Mining Co, exporting iron ore to Japan. The Federal Government closed the mine in 1938, as part of its embargo on exports to Japan at the time. The mine was re-opened in 1946, to supply the State Government's charcoal iron plant at Wundowie, near Perth. BHP took over the mine in the late 1940's, closing in 1994.
The mine was re-opened in 2006, and is presently operated by Mt Gibson Iron. Unfortunately, an extensive marine ecosystem which had developed in the flooded pit was removed.
At Koolan Island mineralisation covers 2000 metres, and up to 30 metres thick, dipping 45-60 degrees south. It was mined from 180 metres to sea level. It contains hard and friable hematite, with insertions of hematite sand, and hematite conglomerate. A lot of the hematite is porous, having undergone de-silicification, thereby increasing the grade of iron.
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Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsMineral List
2 valid minerals.
Rock Types Recorded
Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!
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Alphabetical List Tree DiagramGallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Hematite | 4.CB.05 | Fe2O3 |
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| O | Oxygen | |
|---|---|---|
| O | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Hematite | Fe2O3 |
Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
Australia
- North Australian ElementCraton
- Northern Territory
- Kalkarindji Igneous ProvinceGeologic Province
- Western Australia
- Kimberley BasinBasin
- King Leopold OrogenOrogen
- Hooper ProvinceGeologic Province
Australian PlateTectonic Plate
- North Australian Craton
- Kimberley CratonShield
Indian OceanOcean
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Koolan Island, Buccaneer Archipelago, Derby-West Kimberley Shire, Western Australia, Australia