METALLIC MINERALS
The Northern Region of Tasmania has one mining operation for the production of metallic minerals, that being gold, at Beaconsfield, which was one of Australia's richest and deepest mines until its closure in 1914. Gold exploration in Tasmania is being refocused towards the abandoned gold mines in the north east of Tasmania and toward the Beaconsfield mine.
For production, employment and capital expenditure details of the Beaconsfield gold mine, see under Gold production on this web site (under Statistics - Tasmania).
FUEL MINERALS
Fuel mineral deposits are evident throughout Tasmania, but they are most important in the north east. Coal and peat are mined in Tasmania, however peat (sphagnum moss) is mostly used for horticulture rather than fuel. Coal mined by the Cornwall Coal Company north of Mt Nicholas, near St Marys, is not of export quality and is used by local industry.
For production and employment details of the Cornwall Coal Company, see under Fuel minerals on this web site (under Statistics - Tasmania).
NON-METALLIC MINERALS
Non-metallic minerals (excluding fuel) are produced at a few quarries in the Northern Region of Tasmania, including:
- Beams Bros Pty Ltd, which produces limestone and dolomite at two locations in the Northern Region. One quarry is located at Flowery Gully and the other at Cressy.
- David Mitchell - Tasmania, which produces limestone at a Mole Creek quarry.
For further information on the production of non-metallic minerals, see Non-Metallic (excluding fuel) minerals on this web site (under Statistics - Tasmania).