Iluka Resources’ Jacinth-Ambrosia operations focus on the world’s largest zircon mine, where production commenced in 2009.
Jacinth-Ambrosia is South Australia’s first mining development in a mixed-use region reserve (the Yellabina Regional Reserve) and is recognised by the South Australian government for its levels of Indigenous employment (19% in 2023) and its commitment to environmental management.
The operation consists of mining and wet concentration activities, with the capacity to process up to 120 tonnes of heavy mineral concentrate per hour.
What is Zircon?
Zircon is an opaque, hard-wearing mineral with unique chemical resistance and thermal stability properties. More than half of all zircon is used in the production of ceramics, where it provides whiteness, strength and corrosion resistance.
Emerging and specialty applications of zircon, based on its derivatives zirconia and zirconium chemicals, are key growth markets for the mineral. There are a wide array of end uses in the industrial and electronics industries, including nuclear fuel rods, catalytic fuel converters, water and air purification systems, electronic componentry, and fibre optics.
How Coffey Testing – SA assisted on this project
The Coffey Testing – Adelaide team has been contracted for a period of 4-months, to assist with the construction of the a2 wall.
This will be completed through the completion of density testing. The integrity of this wall is important, as it acts as a separation between dam tailings that store ore extracts from the active mining area.
About Iluka Resources
Headquartered in Perth and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, Iluka Resources is a global critical minerals company with a 70-year history in exploration, project development, mining, processing, marketing, and rehabilitation.
Its products are used across technology, construction, medical, lifestyle, defence and industrial applications and are in increasing demand as the world moves towards a more sustainable future.
Iluka is actively engaged in the rehabilitation of previous activities in Australia and the United States, rehabilitating its mines and processing facilities; the company is committed to restoring the land as closely as it was found prior to the mining process. The holes are backfilled, and trees that were previously removed have been put back into place for wildlife use, promoting habitat sustainability.
