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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

AAPG Bulletin

Abstract


Volume: 58 (1974)

Issue: 7. (July)

First Page: 1462

Last Page: 1462

Title: Nickel Resources of Australia: ABSTRACT

Author(s): R. Woodall

Article Type: Meeting abstract

Abstract:

Australia has the potential to become a major world source of nickel. Nickel production is currently 43,000 tons a year and projects in the development stage will lift this to 95,000 tons by 1975-1976. The deposits on which this production will be based have all been discovered during the last eight years.

The largest reserves of nickel have been found in Western Australia in the form of sulfide concentrations associated with ultramafic rocks in Archean volcanic belts, and this environment has the potential for further major discoveries. Despite the widespread nickel in these areas it remained undiscovered until 1966 even though exploration in association with gold mining had been active for over 70 years.

Concentrations of lateritic nickel are over ultramafic rocks in Queensland and Western Australia.

The history of the discovery of Australia's nickel resources and consideration of the country's potential as a future source of nickel highlight certain factors fundamental to the development of the mineral resources of any country. The decision must be made to explore and requires belief in the possible existence of certain types of ore and confidence that economic benefits will result if ore is found. It is important for exploration to be concentrated in geologically favorable environments, using effective techniques, and it must be possible to bring discoveries into profitable operation if exploration is to be sustained and development implemented. The limited size of the nickel market is a factor particularly significant in this regard.

The price of nickel in Australian currency and the cost structure in Australia relative to other producing countries are critical factors which will determine the extent to which the Australian nickel resources will be exploited.

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