Historical information
Hematite is an iron ore significant for its high iron content (70%) and as being one of the two main iron oxide minerals, the other being magnetite. Hematite has a rating of 5-6 on the Moh's hardness scale and is often found as an accessory mineral in many igneous rocks. (an accessory mineral being "any mineral in an igneous rock not essential to the naming of the rock" - Britannica) Hematite has historically been the mainstay of South Australia’s iron ore production. (Magnetite: South Australia’s potential)
Making up the eastern section of the Gawler Rangers, the Middleback Range is a mountain range on the eastern side of Eyre Peninsula in South Australia that has been a source of iron ore (its main commodity in minerals) for over a century. (see https://www.mindat.org/loc-22576.html). "Large reserves of high-grade iron ore were identified in 1890 in the Middleback Range, west of Whyalla. From 1915 these ores were shipped to Newcastle and later to Port Kembla, both in New South Wales. Local production of pig iron began when the first blast furnace was opened at Whyalla in 1941, and construction of an integrated iron and steel plant began there in 1958." (Britannica, South Australia: Resources and power). This area is home to 24 mines/mineral deposits (according to mindat.org, thought the Sarig Map provided by SA gov on their Energy and Mining website indicates significantly more mining leases).
Significance
This mineral specimen was collected from the Middleback Ranges before the area was identified as holding large reserves of iron ore and being commercially mined and is representative of South Australia's significant and ongoing history of iron ore mining, and its contribution to Australia's steel manufacturing industry of the early 20th century (this specimen being collected in the prelude to these events).
Physical description
A small ferric oxide mineral composition a mid-blue-grey in colour with specks of rust-brown throughout.
Inscriptions & markings
HEMATITE / (iron oxide) / Locality: Middleback Ranges, S. Aust.
Subjects
References
- Hematite Information on Hematite minerals
- Hematite Group Information on Hematite mineral group
- Hematite Mineral Data
- Hematite Britannica description
- Middleback Range, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, Australia Geological information on the Middleback Range, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, Australia.
- Iron Oxide Geological information on iron oxide as a synonym for hematite & magnetite.
- Mohs hardness Further explanation of Mohs Hardness scale
- Accessory mineral Description of an accessory mineral from Brittanica
- South Australia: Resources and power
- Gawler Ranges
- Middleback Ranges - Iron Knob, Iron Monarch, Iron Prince, Iron Princess, Iron Baron, Iron Queen, Cavalier, Iron Chieftain, Iron Duke, Iron Duchess, South Duchess, Iron Magnet South Australia, SA, Australia
- Middleback Ranges Info on mining in the Middleback Ranges provided by SA Gov
- South Australian Resources Information Gateway: Middleback Ranges (Iron ore) Interactive map of the Middleback Ranges pertaining to mining of iron ore.
- Magnetite: South Australia’s potential
