Eucla basin

The Eucla Basin Mine in South Australia has such a large deposit of mineral sands, particularly that of zircon, it is capable of supplying 20 percent of the worlds requirements. It has already produced 300,000 tonnes of zircon since full production commenced in 2010.

A Mine is a State Regional Reserve

The mining at the Jacinth Ambrose Eucla Basin Mine is taking place in arnSouth Australian Regional Reserve, this is the first time this has ever been allowed and therefore strict environmental conditions have to be adhered to. It is also taking place over a reasonably small area, 610 hectares, as the deposits being mined measure five kilometres in length and 900 metres in width. This deposit consists of fine grained, free running sand lying below overburden averaging a thickness of about eight metres, although in some places it is 20 metres, even up to 45 metres at its deepest. There is no groundwater present and the sand has a very low moisture level.

Much Care Taken for Future Rehabilitation Needs

The Eucla Basin mine is operated in the conventional manner, as are most dry mining operations. Before any mining can take place the vegetation and seeds are collected from the area followed by the removal of the top soil. Top soil and sub soil is mostly around 200mm deep. This is all stored to be used again at a later date when rehabilitation is taking place. The overburden is then removed by means of a scraper, excavator and truck, it too is also put to one side for later use during the rehabilitation process.

The Operational Methods Employed at Eucla Basin Mine

The operation also incorporates a wet concentrator plant that can handle up to 1,000 tonnes of sand an hour producing 120 tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate (HMC). Fine silica is removed with the use of two up current classifiers that incorporates a modified co-disposal tailings arrangement. There is a facility at the site that can store 200,000 tonnes of HMC.

The Eucla Basin operation is able to produce up to 600,000 tonnes of concentrate a year. This concentrate is taken from the site by triple road trains that haul 90 tonnes at a time each. They take the concentrate to the port at Thevenard in South Australia, from where it is shipped to either Iluka's Geraldton's Western Australia, Narngulu mineral separation facility, or to Portland in Victoria for transporting to Iluka's Hamilton processing plant.

Twenty Percent Indigenous Workforce

Iluka employs around 70 personnel at their Eucla Basin Mine. These workers are employed on a fly in fly out basis to complete their rostered shifts. The company workers along with contractors are encouraged to maximise their education levels to enhance employment opportunities at the mine, particularly indigenous employees who are taught many on the job and general skill training modules. This has great benefit to both Iluka and their employees as its target is to employ a minimum of 20 percent indigenous workforce at the Jacinth Ambrose Eucla Basin mine.

Water is a Precious Commodity at Eucla Basin

As the Eucla Basin Mine is situated within the Nullarbor cave system, water required for mineral processing is obtained from a bore 34 kilometres from the site. An area that is remote from the cave system. Because it has a high level of saline and seven giga-litres is used annually, the company has installed a reverse osmosis plant that delivers potable water as well as water for fire protection, should it be required. Electrical power is generated on site with the use of the company's own diesel powered generator that is able to produce between 6.8 and 9.4 megawatts.