• Resources Mined in WA
  • Petroleum
  • Iron Ore
  • Nickel
  • Alumina
  • Gold
  • Mineral Sands
  • Coal
  • Diamonds
  • Copper, Lead and Zinc
  • Salt
  • Tin/Tantalum/Lithium
  • Manganese

Mineral Sands

• Mining of mineral sands began in Western Australia in 1956 at Koombana Bay. This was followed by the development of five other deposits in the Capel area over the next ten years. In 1963 the Becher Process was developed in WA for the production of synthetic rutile and in the same year production of titanium dioxide commenced at Australind.
• Mineral sands are mined by surface mining methods including open cut mining, suction dredging and hydraulic mining. Various methods which include magnetic, gravity and electrostatic separation as well as chemical processes, are then used to separate the sands into individual mineral species.
• The minerals extracted from mineral sands are used in a diverse range of products from toothpaste, confectionery, TV screens, aircraft parts, ceramics, paint pigments, catalysts and abrasives to nuclear fuel containers, guided missile components and high strength magnets.
• The Western Australian mineral sands industry is a major supplier of zircon and titanium minerals to the world market. The industry produced $756 million of value in 2007.

To download a copy of the Mineral Sands fact sheet click here.

Maps
Major Mineral and Petroleum Projects in Western Australia (530.84 KB .pdf)

Plant & Machinery Operations