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Christmas Island

Plant in Territory of Christmas Island, Australia with commodity Phosphorus-Phosphates
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Production statistics
  14. Reserves and resources
  15. Workings at the site
  16. Links to other databases
  17. Bibliographic references
  18. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10134370
MAS/MILS ID 6020050001
Record type Site
Current site name Christmas Island
Alternate or previous names Christmas Island No. 1, Christmas Island No. 2

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: 105.71547, -10.41932 (WGS84)
Elevation 300
Location accuracy 10000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Territory of Christmas Island(province)

Australia(country)

Australia(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Australia Territory of Christmas Island

Comments on the location information

  • LAT/LONG GIVEN IS FOR ISLAND (CHRISTMAS ISLAND), LOCATED AT SOUTHERN END OF JAVA TRENCH. ISLAND IS AN AUSTRALIAN TERRITORY; LEASES PURCHASED IN 1948 BY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE ORES OF FOUR TYPES: A,B,C, AND D. D GRADE IS SURFACE SOIL; C GRADE IS HIGH IRON AND ALUMINUM; B GRADE AND A GRADE ARE PRIMARY PRODUCT GRADE ORES, AND ARE FOUND BELOW C AND D ORES. EVALUATION OF A AND B ORE PRODUCTION UNTIL A TYPE ORE IS DEPLETED.AUG. 18, 1982 AFTER SEVERAL THREATENED CLOSURES BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVT, OPERATIONS AT CHRISTMAS ISLAND CEASED ON 12/31/87. INITIATIVES BY THE FORMER WORKERS OF THE CHRISTMAS ISLAND TO BEGIN MINING OF THE LOWER "B" ORE WERE BEGUN SHORTLY AFTER CLOSURE OF THE MINE. THEIR INITIATIVES WERE SUCCESSFUL, WITH THE WORKERS JOINING CENTURY MINING AND METALS AS A CONSOTRIUM. THIS GROUP PROPOSED THE RE-OPENING OF THE MINE, WITH THE OPERATION TO BE RUN BY BOTH CENTURY AND THE CHRISTMAS WORKERS. THE AUSTRALIAN GOVT APPROVED THE PLAN, AND PRODUCTION WAS TO RECOMMENCE IN MAY, 1990.

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Phosphorus-Phosphates Primary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Apatite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) 105.71547, -10.41932
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N00E
    Dip 00E
    Thickness 3M
    Area 2250HA
    Depth to top 6M
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 SEDIMENTARY
    Shape of Orebody #1 IRREGULAR
    Primary mode of Origin SEDIMENTATION
    Primary Ore Control UNKNOWN
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. UNKNOWN
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 UNKNOWN
    Strike And Dip N00E:00E
    Minimum Depth to Top 1
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 1.8
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 1
    Total Surface Area (HA) 2250
    Date of Last Modification 830330

Comments on the geologic information

  • ADDITIONAL MINERALS IDENTIFIED: CRANDALLITE, MILLSITE, AND BARRANDITE.
  • ORE FOUND BETWEEN PINNACLES OF LIMESTONE. RELATIVELY FLAT-LYING DEPOSIT OVER MOST OF THE ISLAND.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Plant
Commodity type Non-metallic
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1887
Mining method Strip-Level
Year of first production 1900
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Plant subcategory Crush
Milling method Sizing

Mining district

District name Christmas Island

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Other

Ownership information

  • Type Owner
    Owner Commonwealth Of Australia
    Interest 50
    Home office Australia
    Year 1985
  • Type Owner
    Owner Commonwealth Of New Zealand
    Interest 50
    Home office New Zealand
    Year 1985
  • Type Operator
    Owner Phosphate Mining Corp. Of Christmas Island (Pmci)
    Home office Australia
    Year 1985
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Century Mining And Metals
    Home office Australia
    Year 1987
  • Type Owner
    Owner Christmas Island Phosphate Joint Venture
    Interest 100
    Home office Australia
    Year 1991
    First year 1990
  • Type Owner-Operator
    Owner Phosphate Resources Nl
    Interest 100
    Home office Australia
    Year 1992
    First year 1991

Production statistics

  • Year 1965
    Description Ore 1128299 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1128299mt
  • Year 1966
    Description Ore 1416399 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1416399mt
  • Year 1967
    Description Ore 1463299 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1463299mt
  • Year 1968
    Description Ore 1625399 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1625399mt
  • Year 1969
    Description Ore 2166799 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 2166799mt
  • Year 1970
    Description Ore 1459299 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1459299mt
  • Year 1971
    Description Ore 1326600 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1326600mt
  • Year 1972
    Description Ore 1447200 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1447200mt
  • Year 1973
    Description Ore 2007299 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 2007299mt
  • Year 1974
    Description Ore 2249899 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 2249899mt
  • Year 1975
    Description Ore 2102500 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 2102500mt
  • Year 1976
    Description Ore 1550399 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1550399mt
  • Year 1977
    Description Ore 1510200 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1510200mt
  • Year 1978
    Description Ore 1723200 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1723200mt
  • Year 1979
    Description Ore 1855899 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1855899mt
  • Year 1980
    Description Ore 2026000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 2026000mt
  • Year 1985
    Description Ore 1187000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 1187000mt
  • Year 1986
    Description Ore 880000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 880000mt
  • Year 1990
    Accuracy Estimate
    Description Ore (Estimated) 100000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 100000mt
  • Year 1991
    Accuracy Estimate
    Description Ore (Estimated) 100000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 100000mt
  • Year 1992
    Accuracy Estimate
    Description Ore (Estimated) 100000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 100000mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Ore 243000 Mt Ore/Year
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Phosphorus-Phosphates Phosphorus 243000mt

Comments on the production information

  • REGISTER OF AUSTRALIAN MINING 1994/95 PG 325 SHOWS 300,000 TONS SHIPPED 1990-92

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1966
    Indicated 200000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 200000000mt ore
    Total resources 200000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 16 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1966
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 14 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1966
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 11.5 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1966
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1990
    Indicated 15800000mt ore
    Demonstrated 15800000mt ore
    Total resources 15800000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 32.64 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1990
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Measured 540000mt ore
    Indicated 1700000mt ore
    Demonstrated 2240000mt ore
    Total resources 2240000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Phosphorus-Phosphates P2O5 36 wt-pct Phosphorus Major 1994

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • RESERVES REFLECT A AND B TYPE ORE TONNAGE ONLY. M9C4=M1C1.
  • REC #1;ASSAY LINE 1 EQUALS A ORE; INTERMEDIATE GRADE. REC #1;ASSAY LINE 2 EQUALS B ORE; INTERMEDIATE GRADE. REC #1;ASSAY LINE 3 EQUALS C ORE; INTERMEDIATE GRADE.
  • SPLIT INTO TWO ETDS FOR AWHILE, NOW BACK TO ONE.

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 2250HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method STRIP-LEVEL
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 1.8
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Secondary Material Cover SAND, SILT
    Hardness of Ore SAND, GRAVEL
    Capacity 7333
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1985

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    "THIS IS CHRISTMAS, THE PHOSPHATE ISLAND", T.G. TYRER,

  • Reserve-Resource

    WALKER, G,"PROCESSING OPTIONS FOR LOW GRADE PHOSPHATE ORES"

  • Reserve-Resource

    PAPER PRESENTED AT NINTH INDUSTRIAL MINERALS INT'L.

  • Reserve-Resource

    CONGRESS, 25-28, MARCH 1990, INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, PP.16-

  • Reserve-Resource

    22.

  • Deposit

    "CONSERVATION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES ON CHRISTMAS ISLAND",

  • Deposit

    REPORT FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STANDING COMMITTEE

  • Deposit

    ON ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION, THE PARLIAMENT OF THE

  • Deposit

    COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA, OCTOBER 1974.

  • Deposit

    "REACTION OF C-GRADE PHOSPHATE WITH LIME, PART II", THE

  • Deposit

    AUSTRALIAN MINERAL DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES, ADELAIDE, SOUTH

  • Deposit

    AUSTRALIA, AUGUST 1971.

  • Deposit

    "CALCINATION OF B-GRADE PHOSPHATE", THE AUSTRALIAN MINERAL

  • Deposit

    DEVELOPMENT LABORATORIES, ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, 8/71.

  • Deposit

    BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONERS "UTILIZATION OF CHRISTMAS

  • Deposit

    ISLAND "C" ROCK", PREPARED BY DORR-OLIVER LABORATORIES INC.

  • Deposit

    FOR THE BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONERS, 27 JULY 1962.

  • Deposit

    "FLUOSOLIDS CALCINATION OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE ROCK",

  • Deposit

    PROGRESS REPORT NO. 1, PREPARED FOR THE BRITISH PHOSPHATE

  • Deposit

    COMMISSIONERS, 11 JANUARY 1974.

  • Deposit

    "SUPERPHOSPHATE FROM CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE ROCK",

  • Deposit

    M. S. WHITE, NEW ZEALAND FERTILIZER MANUFACTURER'S RESEARCH

  • Deposit

    ASSOCIATION, 1 FEBRUARY 1971.

  • Deposit

    "DEVELOPMENT OF WASH/SCREEN PROCESS TO BENEFICIATE CHRISTMAS

  • Deposit

    ISLAND B-GRADE PHOSPHATES", PUBLISHED BY BRITISH SULPHUR

  • Deposit

    CORPORATION, BASED ON A PAPER SUBMITTED TO THE CONFERENCE OF

  • Deposit

    THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGY - 1971 BY

  • Deposit

    J. S. HOARE.

  • Deposit

    REPORT "COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE VIABILITY OF THE

  • Deposit

    CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE INDUSTRY", PUBLISHED BY THE

  • Deposit

    AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING SERVICE, FEBRUARY 1980.

  • Deposit

    DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS "CHRISTMAS ISLAND ANNUAL REPORT

  • Deposit

    1978-79" PUBLISHED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING

  • Deposit

    SERVICE.

  • Deposit

    "THIS IS CHRISTMAS, THE PHOSPHATE ISLAND", T. G. TYRER,

  • Deposit

    PUBLISHED FOR THE CHRISTMAS ISLAND PHOSPHATE COMMISSION BY

  • Deposit

    THE NEW ZEALAND DAIRY EXPORTER.

  • Deposit

    "PHOSPHATE RAW MATERIALS AND FERTILIZERS; PART II - A CASE

  • Deposit

    OF MARGINAL RAW MATERIALS", JOHN HOARE, THE BRITISH

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONERS.

  • Deposit

    "URANIFEROUS PHOSPHATE RESOURCES OF THE FREE WORLD", CHAPTER

  • Deposit

    5 OF SURVEY REPORT BY EARTH SCIENCES INC., TO U. S. DEPT.

  • Deposit

    OF ENERGY, GJBX 110 (79) GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO.

  • Deposit

    BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSION BROCHURE TITLED "CHRISTMAS

  • Deposit

    ISLAND PHOSPHATE", PUBLISHED IN 1976.

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, JAN 1983, P. 6

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIAL MINERALS, MAY 1984, P. 15.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 142, MARCH/APRIL 1986, P. 16.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 150, JULY/AUGUST 1987, P. 12.

  • Deposit

    GREEN MARKETS, 11/16/87, P. 1.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 153, JAN/FEB 1988, P. 12.

  • Deposit

    AUSTRALIA'S MINING MONTHLY, MARCH 1988, P.21.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 154, MARCH/APRIL 1988, P. 12.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 157, SEPT/OCT, 1988, P. 13.

  • Deposit

    REGISTER OF AUSTRALIAN MINING, 1988/89, P. 373.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 163, SEPT/OCT 1989, P. 16.

  • Deposit

    PHOSPHOROUS & POTASSIUM, NO. 167, MAY/JUNE 1990, P. 9.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 12-JAN-95 Fantel, Richard J. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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