Geology / Resource
The Kunwarara - Yaamba magnesite deposits extend from 40-70km north of Rockhampton in Central Queensland, beneath a relatively flat, black-soil covered, open plain. Exploration drilling and pitting outlined an extensive flat-lying magnesite deposits, which are now known to cover in excess of 80kms². The main deposit forms an irregular channel over 30km long and varying in width from 500m up to 3km.
The magnesite deposit is formed within river gravels and sands of a former north-flowing meandering river system. Magnesite has been deposited from magnesium-rich groundwaters derived from the weathering of adjacent serpentinite basement rocks, and has grown to form accretionary nodules.
Within the deposit boundary, high-grade areas of suitable quality to provide the raw material for the production of high quality refractory magnesia have been identified. QMAG continues to delineate additional resources and reserves in advance of future mining operations, with currently identified resources at Kunwarara exceeding 87 million tonnes of "run of mine" (ROM) ore.
Ongoing geological evaluation at Kunwarara and recently commenced activities at Yaamba are anticipated to expand QMAG's resource and reserve inventory, and further extend the life of the project.