Carrara Mines, Harding Springs, Ambalindum Station, Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges), Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Carrara Mines	Group of Mines
Harding Springs	Group of Springs
Ambalindum Station	- not defined -
Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges)	Mountain Range
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

Situated NW of Harding Spring Well on southern side of Range.

There is a collection of minor mica prospects in the upper headwaters of Carrara Creek, 9 kilometres north-west of Harding Springs. Sometimes these are referred to as the Carrara Mines, of which the Carrara Mine itself is one. The mines are in rugged hilly country west of Mount George, with no apparent present access.

No shafts have been sunk on any of the mines, the material merely gouged from the micaceous footwalls of the pegmatites. None of the mines lasted more than a couple of years each, with minor production in the late 1940's, and possibly early 50's. As these mines are some of the most remote in the Harts Range District, little historic information was found.

'A Guide to Fossicking in the Northern Territory' (1986) states access to the mine is by heading along the main track 4.3 kilometres west of the Harding Spring Well, to a north-south fence line. Then head along the western side of the fence north about 2 kilometres, and after reaching the second creek, drive west along a track following the creek (Carrara Creek). No track could be seen.

At present there is a prospectors shack along the fence line, one kilometre north of the main track, possibly relating to a tourism venture by Ambalindum Station (See Ambalindum Station and Harding Springs Mindat sub-headings). This effectively prevents any further access.

The pegmatites at these mines are different to that elsewhere in the Harts Range. Most pegmatites in the region dip vertically, however the Carrara mines pegmatites are horizontal, in 5 foot layers, interbedded with sedimentary rock.

There are also several enormous pegmatites one kilometre north of the Carrara mine, containing biotite, garnet, schorl, and abundant enstatite. The pegmatites contain no workings, or access track.

The Carrara pegmatites may contain several gemstones of interest. The Carrara Mine itself contains ilmentite (metallic lustre when broken), associated with garnets.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References