Excursion Briefs

Excursion: Nairne pyrite mine at Brukunga and its rehabilitation

Sunday 29 August 2010

Depart 9 am Sunday 29 August from Victoria Drive, just west of the University
of Adelaide footbridge.

Transport Billabong Tours with Malcolm Clarke

Leader Mr. Michael Mcleary, PIRSA, Project Manager, Brukunga

Coordinator Bob Major

Summary: Pyrite and pyrrhotite (iron Sulphides) and copper sulphide minerals were deposited with the Kanmantoo Group sediments about 520 million years ago along the eastern side of the present Mt. Lofty
Ranges.
The Brukunga Mine (4.75 km NNE of Nairne) operated from 1955 to 1972, obtaining pyrite and pyrrhotite from the Nairne Pyrite Member of the Kanmantoo Group. These minerals went to Osborne to produce sulphuric acid for the fertilizer industry. However, those sulphide minerals remaining in the open cut mine are slowly being weathered (by rain water and oxygen) to form dilute sulphuric acid which once drained into the river systems.
We will be shown the experimental remediation of waste rock, and the treatment plant which neutralizes the acid mine water at a cost of approximately $1 million each year.

Take Lunch – to be eaten at Brukunga
Wet weather clothing, drinks, broad brimmed hat, boots
ADELAIDE 1: 250 000 geological map, camera, note book, biro

Please note: the planned visit to the Kanmantoo copper mine has been
cancelled because there is no-one on site to show us around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCURSION: PETERBOROUGH – TILLITE, TREES, TRAINS
AND A GRAVITY-DEFYING HILL

When : Tuesday 6th to Friday 10th April, 2010

Depart 9 am, Tuesday 6 April, from Victoria Drive just west of the University of Adelaide footbridge.

Transport : Billabong Tours with Malcolm Clarke

Accommodation and Meals : Peterborough Railway Hotel / Motel

Summary : The Peterborough region covers both the Orroroo and Burra 1:250 000 map areas. There is a range of rock types from the Adelaide Geosyncline as well as Cambrian and younger rocks. There are
disused mines for copper, gold, manganese, iron, phosphate and barite.

At Melrose, on the eastern flank of Mt. Remarkable, we will visit a quarry where recent faulting has preserved old river gravels, which elsewhere have been eroded.

At Peterborough there is an excellent train museum and a private mineral collection.

Take :Lunch for Tuesday 6 April, own thermos flask, mug, tea, coffee and milk.
Personal medication, sunscreen, broad brimmed hat, walking boots, wet weather clothing, walking pole.
ORROROO and BURRA 1:250 000 geological maps
Camera, note book, biro, binoculars.

Estimated costs per person - Assuming 25 people, twin share.
These costs include breakfast and cut lunch. They exclude dinner which is a la carte and to be paid for individually (range $10 - $22)
Motel - $450
Hotel ensuite - $415
Hotel deluxe - $375
Hotel standard - $345
No tents


Deposit : Please pay $100 to our Treasurer Steve Elsby at the meeting on Thursday 4th February.

Bob Major
Excursion Leader