Overview of South Australia’s Mining Industry
South Australia is a landlocked state in the southern half of Australia. It has a total area of 1,545,482 square kilometres, making it the fourth largest state by area. The state’s capital and largest city is Adelaide.
Mining has been an important part of South Australia’s history for over 150 years, with a variety of mines producing a range of commodities, the industry has played a vital role in the development and prosperity of South Australia. The region is home to some of the oldest mines in the world, including the Mt Gambier copper mine, which was first mined in 1857.
Types of Mines
Mines in South Australia can be divided into three categories: open cast mines, underground mines, and surface mines.
- Open cast mines are the most common type of mine in South Australia. They are used to extract minerals such as coal, iron ore, and gold.
- Underground mines are used to extract minerals from beneath the ground.
- Surface mines are used to extract minerals from the ground by removing the earth and rocks above them.
List of Mines in South Australia
- Angas Zinc Mine
- Barton Gold
- Beverley and Beverley North Uranium Mines
- Buzzard Iron Ore Project
- Cairn Hill
- Campoona Graphite Project
- Carrapateena Copper
- Central Eyre Iron Project
- Challenger Gold Mine Gold (Au) Challenger 2 Pty Ltd
- Four Mile Uranium Mine
- Hillside Copper
- Jacinth-Ambrosia Mineral Sand
- Kookaburra Gully Graphite Project
- Leigh Creek
- Middleback Ranges
- Olympic Dam
- Peculiar Knob Hematite
- Portia Gold
- Prominent Hill
- Siviour Graphite Project
- Tarcoola Gold
- Uley Graphite Project
- JV partner Round Oak Minerals
- Wilgerup
Economic Impact of Mining in South Australia
Mining has been a significant part of the economy in South Australia for over 100 years and continues to play an important role today. Today, South Australian mines produce more than $5 billion worth of silver, copper and gold each year.
Opal Mining in South Australia
Opal mining has a long history in South Australia. The first opal deposits were found back in the 1880s, and since then, opals have been mined all throughout the state. Some of the biggest and most valuable opals in the world have been found in South Australia, making it a very lucrative profession for those who are willing to take on the risks.
There are two main types of opals that are found in South Australia:
- White opals are the most common type of opal found in the state, and they’re typically found in the north of the state.
- Black opals are much rarer and are only found in a few areas, including Andamooka and Coober Pedy.
Coober Pedy
Coober Pedy is a small town in the outback of Australia that is home to a unique group of people. The town gets its name from the Aboriginal word for ‘white man’s hole’, and it is said to be one of the most isolated places in the world. This small town is famous for its unique setting – much of the town is built underground to escape the harsh Outback sun.
When you first arrive in Coober Pedy, it’s hard to believe that people actually live here. The landscape is so barren and desert-like, it looks like something from a post-apocalyptic movie. But as you explore the town, you’ll start to see the signs of life. Smoke rising from chimneys, doors leading into dugouts (underground homes), and even a golf course!