NT Evaporites - Summary exploration report.

Abstract

NT evaporites are investigating the possibilities of harvesting evaporite minerals and other useful products from playa salt lake sediments or from the evaporation of the brines. In 1988, work included an aquaculture proposal for the development of beta-carotene in the biologically active salt lakes at Erldunda. Extreme rainfall had resulted in a population explosion of brine shrimp and, on Lake Suzie, a bloom of the algae Dunaliella salina. The lack of any suitable water to recharge the lakes precluded any viable long term sustainable population of either organism. Mineral prospecting extended to other lakes from Idracowra to beyond Curtain Springs Station to the Lasseter Highway. All together about 18 industrial minerals had been investigated. The extremely remote location made freight costs prohibitive. The NT Government provided some funds for a consultant group to give a current evaluation of the target minerals and provided a loan to NT Evaporites for a two year R&D project. On completion of this work, five target areas were selected and several business options canvassed. Some ELs were relinquished in favour of Authority S162 under section 178(2) of the Mining Act.