Wolframite
Wolframite (Fe,Mn) WO4 is an iron, manganese tungstate mineral closely linked with scheelite as an important tungsten ore mineral that forms Tungsten Trioxide (WO3)
Wolframite (Tungsten Trioxide) is associated with quartz, bismuth, scheelite, cassiterite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena and pyrite. It is an important tungsten ore mineral with China having 60 percent of the world's resource.
The name 'wolframite' comes from the German words 'wolf rahm' meaning 'wolf cream.' It is the reason the chemical symbol 'W' is used for the tungsten chemical element. Wolramite is the main source of the metal tungsten which is a dense and strong material that has a very high melting temperature, a feature that has made it useful for use as an armour piercing ammunition as well as electric filaments. Hard tungsten is widely used for machining tools. For these reasons wolframite mines were considered as strategic assets during the Second World War.
Wolframite is subjected to crushing and cleaning before being treated with alkalis to have it form tungsten trioxide (WO3). The tungsten trioxide is then heated with either hydrogen gas or carbon to form either carbon dioxide and tungsten metal or water vapour and tungsten metal.
Pure tungsten is a whitish or light grey metal that is able to be cut with a hacksaw because of its relative softness, it is also sufficiently ductile to be drawn into wire or made into various shapes.
Tungsten steel is extremely tough and it has a property that allows it to retain its temper when very hot, it is because of this that it is used in the manufacturing of high speed tools, for the same reason it is useful as an alternative to platinum in the making of contact points. Sodium tungstate is used as a mordant in the dyeing industry, wood impregnated with sodium tungstate makes it fireproof and it also fireproofs cloth and clothing.
At December 2011, there was a known resource of 376 kilotonnes of tungsten bearing ore in Australia. These deposits are at Bold Head and Dolphin on King Island off the coast of Tasmania as well as Mount Lindsay and Kara on the Tasmanian mainland. In Queensland there are wolframite deposits at O'Callaghans and Watershed. In Western Australia there are further deposits of wolframite at Mount Mulgine and Big Hill and at Molyhil in the Northern Territory. Most tungsten bearing ore in Australia is located in Western Australia that accounts for over 60 percent, half of this amount is to be found at the O'Callaghans deposit. Tasmania holds 22 percent and Queensland 14 percent of the remaining deposits.
In 2011 there were 27 tonnes of top grade scheelite concentrate, averaging 72 percent of tungsten trioxide, produced at the Kara scheelite mine at Hampshire, near Burnie in Tasmania, that delivered 15.4 tonnes of contained tungsten. In 2012 the first production of wolframite concentrate began at both the Mount Carbine and Wolfram Camp mines in north Queensland.
In contrast to many other minerals, the value of tungsten rose dramatically after the Global Financial Crisis hit the world mineral markets in 2008, more than doubling its 2008 price by 2011 The price increase reflecting the extra demand resulting from a tightening of supply in China during that period. The price remains above long term average levels.
Australian Mines that produce Bauxite
Gove (NT)
Up to 600 workers employed at the Gove bauxite refinery in the Northern Territory face an uncertain future as Pacific Aluminium suspends alumina production.
Ely (QLD)
The Ely Alcan Queensland Pty Ltd agreement at the Weipa bauxite mine is due to expire in 2041 but an option will give it a further 21 years extension.
Skardon River (QLD)
Gulf Alumina acquired 100 percent of the Skardon River tenement in 2011 from its koalin mining joint partner to develop the mining of bauxite at the site
Weipa (QLD)
The Weipa bauxite mine on the western side of the Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland is both owned and operated by Rio Tinto Alcan.
Huntly (WA)
The Huntly mine in Western Australia is the largest bauxite mine in the world currently producing about 23 million tonnes of bauxite annually.
Willowdale (WA)
The Willowdale bauxite mine that commenced production in 1984 still processes 10 million tonnes of bauxite a year at the nearby Wagerup Refinery.
Worsley (WA)
The Worsley bauxite mine and alumina refinery in South West Western Australia employs more than 1,800 people and produces 4.6 million tonnes of alumina annually.
South Aurukun (QLD)
The South Aurukun bauxite tenements on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland are held by Gulf Alumina.
Marchinbar Island (NSW)
The Marchinbar Island bauxite deposit in far north Northern Territory could be mined to satisfy a growing demand from China in the near future.
Kwinana Refinery (WA)
The Kwinana refinery in WA employs around 1,000 direct employees with 60 percent living in the nearby towns of Rockingham, Cockburn and Kwinana.
Wagerup Refinery (WA)
The Alcoa owned Wagerup alumina refinery in W.A. has received governmental approval to lift alumina production from 2.6 to 2.65 million tonnes annually.
Pinjarra Alumina Refinery (WA)
The Pinjarra alumina refinery, near Mandurah south of Perth, is an important part of Alcoa's three refinery system in Western Australia.
Portland Aluminium Smelter (VIC)
The Portland Aluminium smelter in western Victoria, a joint venture operation between Alcoa, CITIC and Marubeni, caters solely to the Asian market.
Felicitas (WA)
The Felicitas bauxite project in Western Australia contains a bauxite resource of 220 million tonnes that will give it a life of mine of 25 years
South Of Embley (QLD)
Despite Rio Tinto placing its South of Embley bauxite project in Cape York, Queensland, on hold for 18 months it still considers it a 'good project.'
Bauxite Hills (QLD)
The Bauxite Hills Project on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is hoping to take advantage of an expected increase in the demand for Alumina.
Bald Hill (TAS)
Australian Bauxite Limited's Bald Hill mine, in Tasmania, is to start production in December, 2014. It is the first new bauxite mine in Australia, for over 35 years.
Urquhart Point (QLD)
The Urquhart Point Heavy Mineral Sands Project in Cape York in Far North Queensland is expected to begin production in mid-2015.
Amrun (QLD)
The Amrun bauxite project in far north Queensland, that was previously known as the 'South of Embley' project has been approved for development and expected to be in production by 2019.
