Aussie Lapidary Forum
Fossicking and Rockhounding => Fossicking Locations => Topic started by: fossicker john on September 24, 2011, 09:09:55 PM
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I will be spending some time in Broken Hill in April next year and was wondering if there are any fossicking areas or is it all covered by mining leases. any info would be appreciated. Fossicker John
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Hi fossicker John,
I havn't been to that area recently, but I'm sure that someone will be able to help out. Welcome to the forum also.
JAD
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Anyone know anything?
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I don't personally know of sites but the region obviously has good mineralisation. From internet searches, I found these for starters http://www.mineral.org.au/see/pinnacle.html (http://www.mineral.org.au/see/pinnacle.html) and http://gemfossicking.com.au/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=54 (http://gemfossicking.com.au/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=54).
The BH Mineral Club might also be able to help http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/ (http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/)
And then there's link to the XLS garnets mined out there http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=1632.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=1632.0)
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Hi John,
I don't know a lot about the Broken Hill immediate area, but I've collected some nice Quartz crystals from the Olary region, which is about 120 km west of Broken Hill. There are also many other minerals in the Olary district including Beryl, Tourmaline, Chiastolite, Fluorite and many more. If you would like any info on this area, please PM me.
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Hi FJ - I have a small bokk called "Mineral Collecting Localities of the Broken Hill District" by Ian Plimer. Published 1977. I guess some of the localities listed might be out of bounds these days, but you never know. I bought it for a visit there in 1983.
Another Fossicker John
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Hi John. I've always found that writing a letter to the mining company requesting entry onto their leases has always been accepted favourably by them. If they allow you on the lease they will give you directions as to where to go. Normally they ask that if you find any precious metals that you notify them.
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I forgot to add to my earlier post that the field trips described in the BH Mineral Club site give some ideas of fossicking locations. I noticed a mention of garnets collected alongside the Barrier Highway west of the city. Just remember to gain permission for entry where needed.
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Thanks all I`ll check out the info so far and let u know
Fossicker John
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Hi Findem
I have now got a copy of the book you mention and it tells of fossicking areas by number. Is there a site where you can get a copy of these areas.
Fossicker John.
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Sorry - that's all I know. It's been nearly 30 years since I was there and I spent more time digging for bottles than looking for minerals. ;D
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Just letting you all know.
I'm the president of the Broken Hill Mineral Club and I regularly get people asking me the big question about where to fossick around Broken Hill.
The book by Ian Plimer is out of date. Many of the sites he mentions are now closed off and new fences are in place. Thackaringa Station does not allow anyone to drive over their land. However if you are happy to walk into sites they are most accommodating.
Perilya and CBH - the mining companies who operate the mines along the line of lode do not let anyone on their leases. OH&S is the problem. You need to know someone who works there that is high up the command chain to get on.
There are still plenty of fossicking sites around Broken Hill, however they are mostly on pastoral leases. Most of these people are approachable and willing to allow mineral collectors on their properties. The only thing is, that they do not like trespassers and if you do get permission you can only go where they say you are allowed. Do not just front up to the station homesteads or you may get the reaction you don't want. Do the research and ring ahead in advance and most station owners will let you on.
Patrick G mentioned the Olary district. This too is slowly getting closed down. Kings Bluff on Outalpa Station is off limits as the station owner will prosecute any trespassers. Bimbowrie station is now national park, so no fossicking allowed and a consortium has bought up several stations in the area and it is hard to find the actual owners to get permission. Otherwise there are some properties that are accommodating to fossickers.
One last thing, many station owners will let clubs onto their properties but will not allow individuals. The reason for this is insurance. However, if you are a member of a mineral / lapidary club and have approval from them to check out areas on behalf of your field officer then your club insurance also covers you.
Feel free to PM me if you need any more info on specific locales
Trev
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snip, snip.
I'm the president of the Broken Hill Mineral Club and I regularly get people asking me the big question about where to fossick around Broken Hill.
Trev,
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for joining.
Wayne.
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Welcome to ALF Trev. :)
That is good information to know.
Jerry
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Hi Wayne,
Looking forward to seeing you and Marg next month. I'll take you to the where the best Kyanite is found on Tikalina. I remember leaving a chunk about 2 feet across with 3 inch blades on the side of the hill because I didn't want to carry it back to the car. I think it could still be there... We'll find out soon enough anyway. There are good size pods all over the side of the hill, the trick is to find the pieces with the corundums in them. The only down side is they need to be chemically cleaned to remove the iron staining, but when this is done they look great.
Trev
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Hi Wayne,
Looking forward to seeing you and Marg next month. I'll take you to the where the best Kyanite is found on Tikalina. I remember leaving a chunk about 2 feet across with 3 inch blades on the side of the hill because I didn't want to carry it back to the car. I think it could still be there... We'll find out soon enough anyway.
snip,snip ...
I will try and reserve that chunk of kyanite before Jamo sneaks up there and takes it.
Jamo is that way inclined. ;D ;D
A large chunk of kyanite would compliment our rock garden at home. I can see it sitting beside our 18kg chunk of WA Printstone and 8kg chunk of Kununurra Zebra stone. :) :) and not to forget Fullerton who directed us to Quamby's Hornblende quarry (I still thinks it's black tourmaline) and the 15kg chunk of black tourmaline, well hornblende. :) :)
I like large chunks of pretty rocks. ;D
Wayne.
views-1490
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I will try and reserve that chunk of kyanite before Jamo sneaks up there and takes it.
Jamo is that way inclined. ;D ;D
... I like large chunks of pretty rocks. ;D
Wayne.
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Are you sure that depicts me Wayne? I'm not sneaky or greedy. If I wanted to be greedy/sneaky I would have kept Powelltown all to myself! As it is I've shared the love & the stones. What I am is "keen". 'Keen' to find new stones & fossicking friends. Looking forward to fossicking with old friends and fossicking with friends yet to be met!
Cheers ;D
PS Please leave me a couple of nice pieces of kyanite! Or better still find me a nice piece and stick it in the post. 8)
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A chunk of kyanite that big doesn't deserve ending up in a garden bed :o If you aren't careful, I might sneak down the back way to Broken Hill and remove it myself! I wish ...
Sounds like an awesome piece whether it's gem quality or not ;D Hope it's still there so at least we get to see a pic of it.
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Changed your pic Fullerton! 8) Time for a change?
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Changed your pic Fullerton! Time for a change?
Emilio Estevez ... just bringing back a touch of the 80's. Someone must think that was a cool time ... ?
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Not sure too many people would refer to the 80s as "cool". I got married and had 2 daughters that decade ... So it wasn't all bad :0)
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My wife is convinced that I never really stopped living in the 80's. However I did get rid of the mullet when the 90's started...
BTW, what is this internet thingo that everyone is talking about? I used to talk to my mates face to face not via some silly bookface.
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My wife is convinced that I never really stopped living in the 80's. However I did get rid of the mullet when the 90's started...
BTW, what is this internet thingo that everyone is talking about? I used to talk to my mates face to face not via some silly bookface.
90's!!! You mean we are no longer in the 80's! Where did that go? Won't it be intersesting when we enter the new millenium? :P
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Hi Everyone,
I've just updated the Broken Hill Mineral Club website, http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/home (http://brokenhillmineralclub.wikispaces.com/home) including reports on our field trips for the past five years, new articles - corona amethyst fields, news about our next show and the field trips for 2013.
Please visit the site and I'm open to any comments, if you like it, what else to put on it, any improvements, etc.
Editors of club newsletters - feel free to contact me if you want to use any material you see in either the articles or the club newsletters as I can send you the info in other formats that are easy to input into your publications.
Regards, Trev
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Pleased to see it has been updated Trev. :)
Now if I can only get the time free to go out there.
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Thanks Trev,
I have downloaded most of your articles and files etc.
Looking forward to meeting you on Sat 27th April.
Wayne.
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I was out on Tikalina yesterday and the large piece of kyanite I mentioned before has gone. Anyway, I looked around and guess what?... I uncovered another piece as good as the first one but with 4 inch blades of kyanite. We also checked out a new site that the landowner discovered and the kyanite blades are 6 inches long.
All is set for your visit Wayne...
Trev
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I was out on Tikalina yesterday and the large piece of kyanite I mentioned before has gone. Anyway, I looked around and guess what?... I uncovered another piece as good as the first one but with 4 inch blades of kyanite. We also checked out a new site that the landowner discovered and the kyanite blades are 6 inches long.
All is set for your visit Wayne...
Trev
You bloody ripper, Trev.
Marg and I can't wait, we'll be there with bells on. The bells are better than me wearing my pastel floral 'manly' wetsuit. ;D ;D
Sunday week and a chunk of kyanite will be mine. Hopefully..
Wayne
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Now chooky, this you can definitely be envious of...get in line! Green green green with envy.
Still waiting on a pic of this floral attire Wayne. :)
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Now chooky, this you can definitely be envious of...get in line! Green green green with envy.
Still waiting on a pic of this floral attire Wayne. :)
Mehoose, to see Wayne in all his glory check this out ...
http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com/Fossicking/Vic-Powelltown-02.htm (http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com/Fossicking/Vic-Powelltown-02.htm)
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Thanks Jamo,
With friends like you who needs enemies. ;D ;D
Only 3 days until Marg and I head off. But who's counting? We are. That's who. :)
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Have a great time. Keep us posted
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Have a great time. Keep us posted
Thank you.
I will be updating our website daily. www.frostysaussieadventures.com (http://www.frostysaussieadventures.com)
Wayne.