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- Title
A HISTORY OF BEACH MINING ON NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND.
- Authors
MOORE, G.
- Abstract
North Stradbroke Island is a sand island located 15 kilometres off the south east coast of Queensland. Mining for mineral sands, the primary source of titanium and zircon, occurred along the ocean beach of North Stradbroke Island for 29 years from 1949 to 1977. The geology of the ocean beach and frontal dune are described, possible sources for the heavy minerals are proposed, and processes of economic concentration are discussed. The uses and industrial developments of titanium and zircon are described and related to the mining history. The early mining using hand shovels, recovered very high grade mineral concentrates. Small dredges and floating concentrators commenced during the 1950’s and 1960’s, and in 1969, a larger dredge was floated from South Stradbroke Island. Historical photographs are used to illustrate the various mining techniques and events. The dunes were progressively rehabilitated and re-vegetated as mining moved along the beach employing better practices over time, as knowledge improved and as Government regulations evolved. The mining companies purposely recreated a dune profile designed to minimize erosion and “blowouts” into the back swamp. The effectiveness of this strategy is discussed and the fact that it is not a natural process, resulting in more uniform, and less “wild” morphology than that shown in historic photographs. The current frontal dune dynamics, natural rebuilding and re-vegetation processes are shown. Mining on the beaches of North Stradbroke Island and many other locations on the east coast of Australia has always been contentious. The reconstructed beach profile, while effective against erosion is not “natural”. Destruction of significant archeological and cultural heritage features, such as Aboriginal middens, has also occurred. Despite these issues, in March 2011, the Queensland State Government declared a new National Park on North Stradbroke Island, which includes about 10 kilometres of the ocean beach and dune that had been mined.
- Subjects
NORTH Stradbroke Island (Qld.); MINERAL industries; GEOLOGICAL research; LANDSCAPE changes; MINES &; mineral resources &; the environment; SAND dunes; REVEGETATION; SAND dune restoration
- Publication
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland, 2011, Vol 117, p335
- ISSN
0080-469X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.5962/p.357762