Delma Mica Mine (Delma Main), Coggan Bore, Ambalindum Station, Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges), Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Delma Mica Mine (Delma Main)	Mine
Coggan Bore	- not defined -
Ambalindum Station	- not defined -
Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges)	Mountain Range
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

The Delma Mica Mine is the most easterly location under the Harts Range Section. It is 3 kilometres beyond the most eastern range of mountains, on a plain.

To reach it, first go to Coggan Bore. From here go 2.7 kilometres north along the main Coggan Bore track to the Quartz Hill cattle yards next to the track. Then take the track south-east, which quickly comes to the burned former Quartz Hill homestead. There appears to be several buildings here, and this may have subsequently been used as a mining exploration camp, or outstation. Access is unknown. Go through the homestead, continuing south-east, then shortly the track turns east, and then north-east, crossing a branch of the Huckitta Creek. Satellite images suggest a newer track is in existence heading east of the Quartz Hill cattle yard, avoiding the homestead, and meeting the original track at the creek mentioned above. Either way its 10 kilometres from the creek along the track north-east then east, arriving at a derelict building at the mine site. This is the Delma Main mine site. The Delma North Mine is some 300 metres north.

Gino Basso and Antonio Dalla Valle conducted mining here in the 1950's. Mica production amounted to 4.9 tonnes 1948-1951, and 5 tonnes 1954-1959.

The shafts at the mines have collapsed.

The mines are sunk on pegmatites, with a suggestion there are variable strikes. Mine workings indicate Delma Main is north-south, and Delma North is east-west. The site contains a now collapsed 15 foot deep shaft, with 177 feet of driving along the pegmatite. The pegmatites contain clear green, and stained mica, concentrated near the axis of the pegmatites. The pegmatites are 9 feet thick in the central portions, and thins at either end, with no zoning.

The pegmatites are hosted by garnet bearing muscovite-biotite schistose gneiss, biotite gneiss, and calc-silicate rocks.

Thompson (1986), states that facettable green and yellow beryl can be found on the dumps. However, Jones (1957) states there is no beryl at the mine, rather apatite with a beryl like appearance. Shaw/Freeman 1985 states the mine contains both beryl and apatite. Schorl and garnet is also found.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References