Mount Weld mine is a rare earth mine in Western Australia, located about 30 km (20 mi) south of Laverton and 120 km (75 mi) east of Leonora.[1] It is one of the largest rare earth deposits in the world.[2] It is owned by Lynas Corporation. Mining began at the Mount Weld site in 2011.[3]
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Mount Weld Location in Western Australia | |
| Location | Laverton |
| State | Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 28°51′36″S 122°32′52″E / 28.86000°S 122.54778°E |
| Production | |
| Products | Rare earths |
| Owner | |
| Company | Lynas |
| Website | lynasrareearths |
 | |
Geology
editRare earths are contained in secondary phosphates and aluminophosphates, presumably derived from weathering of the Proterozoic Mount Weld carbonatite.[4] The primary commercial interest at the site is targeted towards oxides as well as further niobium and tantalum deposits within the intrusive pipe of the Mount Weld carbonatite, which is approximately three kilometers (1.9 mi) in diameter.[5]
The main deposits are hosted within the soil and regolith horizon that blankets the entire carbonatite and form shallow lenses within 60 m (200 ft) of the surface. The most important rare-earth oxide deposit, the Central Lanthanide Deposit, CLD, is located at the center of the carbonatite with the niobium/tantalum and other deposits generally located towards outer fringes. Discovered in 1988, the CLD represents a spectacular enrichment of rare-earth deposit sediments. The deposit is believed to be the largest and highest grade of its type in the world.[citation needed]
Ownership
editThe Mount Weld deposit is owned by ASX-listed Lynas Corporation,[6] which raised A$450 million equity from J. P. Morgan in 2009[7] to fund the development of a mine and also a processing plant in Kuantan, Malaysia. Once operational, the Mount Weld mine is expected to be the largest source of rare-earth elements outside of China.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Mount Weld Mine, Mount Weld Station, Laverton Shire, Western Australia, Australia". Retrieved 16 March 2017.
- ^ C. K. Gupta, N. Krishnamurthy, Extractive Metallurgy of Rare Earths, CRC Press, 2005, ISBN 0-415-33340-7.
- ^ Mt Weld rare earths mine officially open, Australian Mining, 5 August, 2011.
- ^ Lottermoser, B (1990). "Rare-earth element mineralisation within the Mt. Weld carbonatite laterite, Western Australia". Lithos. 24 (2): 151–167. doi:10.1016/0024-4937(90)90022-S.
- ^ "Rare earths". Chemlink. Retrieved 23 October 2008.
- ^ Lynascorp.com Archived 2010-11-26 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Completion of Equity Raising" (PDF). Lynas Corporation Ltd. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
Further reading
edit- I.B.P. U.S.A. (January 2006). Australia Mineral and Mining Sector Investment and Business Guide. ISBN 978-0-7397-5067-4.