Sapphire Mining in Australia

Once a dominant force in sapphire mining, Australia, notably during the 1970s, fell away in the past few decades but has begun to make a comeback. The remarkable hardness of sapphires, second only to diamond, and their rarity makes these gemstones highly prized, with the market for these gemstones is only growing globally. And Australia is now once again getting into the gemstone mining game. Albeit, the difference in present times is the rise of a more decentralized, localized, small business orientation of the sapphire mining process. And over the years countries in Asia and Africa have moved strongly into this growing market for top quality gemstones. Australia’s presence in this industry, whilst smaller in comparison to the major player, is nonetheless a growing one. Here we will look at the key aspects of sapphire mining in Australia, some of its key sapphire mines and mining regions,

Australia’s Mining Geology

Sapphires are natural minerals that are sourced from the Earth. As conundrum based minerals they form deep within the Earth’s surface. And form as a result of certain shifts in heat and pressure, and can be found in both metamorphic and igneous rocks. It is thought that most of the sapphire was derived from the weathering and erosion of volcanic ash deposits that were erupted onto the earth’s surface during early explosive phases of volcanic activity. Sapphire gemstones are also found in deposits of alluvium: which is the sediment that has been eroded by water; and have located away from the original water source. Hence sapphire mining projects tend to occur near water sources. This is important in relation to the chemical character of sapphires: where the tight chemical bonds of corundum make these stone dense and relatively heavy in comparison to other rocks and minerals. Which helps them withstand the effects of environmental effects better, and contributes to their accumulation in alluvial deposits; that are left behind by the flow of water. Thus sapphire deposits in Australia tend to be concentrated in the cooler, wetter Eastern parts of the country. Where the natural environment is most suitable to produce such deposits. With the gemstone seeking miners tunnelling down to ancient riverbeds or existing river beds in search of these gemstones.

Places where Sapphires are Mined in Australia

To understand the character of sapphire mining in Australia, one must have a general understanding of the character of the regions in the country from which the gemstones are mined. Historically the major sources of corundum in Australia have been found among the basaltic, volcanic rocks, which are located in the Eastern part of this vast nation. The corundum deposits, which interestingly hold both sapphire and rubies-as these two gemstones are formed from the same mineral. Since volcanic rocks are the primary source for corundum gemstones, extracting these minerals from their rock-like state requires great effort in terms of energy and investment; and the output in terms of returns promised, the effort has not been perceived as viable. Owing to challenging and expensive investments that go into extracting these small gems from the hard volcanic rock, with further problems arising in the course of mining these gems during the process, with the risks of breaks. Thus a key source of these gemstones is their discovery in secondary sources, where concentrated sapphire deposits, owing to water and erosion are transported to other more accessible regions. Thus rivers and streams (known as placer deposits) become key locations for sapphire mining. Today much of Australia’s sapphires are extracted from placer deposits. Thus the presence of water sources is a key indicator in the search for conundrum gemstones, much of which is located in the East of the nation.

Sapphire Gemfields Queensland

The Sapphire Gemfields, one of the largest sapphire bearing areas of the world. Taking in the townships of Rubyvale, Sapphire, Anakie and Willows, the Sapphire Gemfields is a drive away from the town of Emerald, and cover a massive 900 square kilometres. The mining of sapphires in this region goes all the way back to the 1870s, with the discovery of sapphires by the Scotsman, Archibald John Richardson. Notable here is the Anakie mines, which began operation following its official opening in 1902. The sapphires that have been mined from this region are among the most diverse in Australia: with a variety of yellow, blue and green sapphires. Mining in this region has been notable for the use of heavy machinery, with the adoption of mechanized operations in the mining for sapphires. However, over the decades the capacity for heavy machine-based sapphire mining has proved to be less viable, with smaller, semi-mechanical, and in recent times, more ad hoc contractions being employed for these operations.

New England District of New South Whales

The New England District, based in the southeastern state of New South Wales is the other key gemstone mining location. As a great variety and volume of gemstones being sourced from this region, with the main sapphire mining locations being centred around the towns of Inverell and Glen Innes, the two areas where the largest concentration of sapphires in this region is located. Within New England, gem field sapphires occur in alluvial deposits: the sapphire-bearing gravel layer, which varies in thickness and depth, hence requiring varying adoption of machinery and tunnelling to get at. This region is also well known for its wide variety of other gemstones and minerals. For in addition to the famous sapphire, the region is also home to a high concentration of other varieties of gemstones such as Zircon, Topaz, Quartz varieties. At the height of Australia's sapphire boom in the 1970s, this region was concentrated with many mining plants, an indication of the strength of Australia's sapphire mining industry. Things began to wind down in the next decade, with a decline in prices and declining output. With the rise of Asian sapphire exporters, the sapphire industry here began to shrink even further, with a few commercial sapphire miners still standing. 

Pioneering Australian Sapphire Miners

One of the distinct characteristics of the resurgence of the sapphire industry in Australia has been the creative spirit of the growing crop of entrepreneurs who have entered the sapphire industry. Akin to the treasure hunting spirit of the fossickers, the sapphire industry in Australia has drawn industrious men and women who are willing to take advantage of the country’s resource potential. Similar in mindset but stronger in commitment and willing to play the long term game. The new breed of sapphire miners from Australia come from many walks of life, with diverse backgrounds and age groups. As a country with a large landowning tradition, and strength in resource trade, over the years a class of local, small sapphire miners have emerged in Australia. Armed with shovels, and small mining equipment, and cleaning and washing contraptions these miners go all-in with their mining projects.

Sapphire Mining Methods in Australia

A feature of sapphire mining practice in the land down under is the spirit of entrepreneurship that combines hard work with ingenuity. As we have noted the growth in sapphire mining in Australia has been driven by the growing interest in smaller, more localized miners. However, this does not mean that larger players are entirely absent. The use of heavy machinery, often involving greater investment and support logistics are still a force. Especially when it comes to new gemstone mines, those with untapped potential, that requires risk, involving greater sunk costs and later, in operations larger tunnelling efforts. Projects which often cannot be taken on by smaller sapphire miners. Sapphire enthusiasts and creative entrepreneurs both young and hold having identified the resource potential of this precious corundum based gemstone have

The Wash Plant Process

The washing plants process involves the use of contraptions, which are either made per industry requirements or are assembled according to specific requirements of the job. These dedicated machines which involve varying levels of civil engineering complexity are aimed at separating waste products, excess sand, debris and other materials from the, in this context, conundrum stones. Since sapphires are often found with soil and stone deposits that contain a variety of unwanted materials which need to be separated out, with remaining potential sapphire stones then being subjected to further cleaning, washing and separation of the heavier sapphire stones. Which is done by the removal of various forms of contaminants, mud, clay and other impurities etc. Which are often bound closely with the conundrum gemstones. The exact mechanism of the wash plant process differs from sapphire to sapphire miner. Given the more ad hoc, the customized character of the machines that are employed, in relation to the character of the geography, and scale of the mining process. With the nature of wash plant mechanisms varying in degree, and in practice; many of which are characteristically modular in character, with some machines requiring more or less human effort in facilitating the process.

Fossicking

An interesting practice that is potentially unique to Australia (and potentially New Zealand) is the process of fossicking. Where designated areas have been set aside by the State allowing armature and professional gemstone hunters to seek out their treasure; with periods preceding and after winter being the most active times. Since 1992 changes in the laws meant that it was no longer necessary to hold fossickers a license in New South Wales, which has encouraged a sort of subculture of gemstone hunting to rise among enthusiasts. Whilst restrictions remain on the kind of methods and tools that could be employed, fossicking as a practice is now even being encouraged by local governments, who see it as a way to attract people who are interested in the local region. Notably, tourists, many of whom are looking to experience the local scene, and are introduced to the ‘experience’ of fossicking: where tourists are sold packaged experiences where gemstone hunting is combined with other engagements. The point is in Australia, gemstone mining (or seeking), historically associated mainly with diamonds, and now with sapphires have become a cultural curiosity.

Sapphire Mining with an Ethical Touch

The growing focus on ethics of business in recent times, particularly in relation to minerals and precious stones that are sourced from various parts of the developing world, notably, in relation to the danger of conflict minerals and the social well being of workers. A problem that is especially notable in relation to the trade of diamonds, but this sensibility is now also affecting the world of sapphires. In recent years top jewellery brands have turned to Australian sapphires as a viable ethical alternative to meet their commercial needs. Combined with support from the Australian government, the mining industry encompassing both large small miners, are now working together to enact pro-environmental laws, which elevates the image of sapphires mined from Australia. protect the native land. The growing popularity of sapphires mined from Australia has even meant that gemstones from this part of the world are starting to find their way into other sapphire exporting nations like Thailand. Where they are subjected to further processing in the gemstone value chain. Australian sapphires: those which are mined in the country under government oversight with strong pro-environmental and worker laws have made corundum gemstones mined from the land down under to be an ethically attractive proposition.