Broula Mine

• Operation Summary
• Minutes of Community Consultative Committee
• Road Transport Protocol
• Hydrocarbon Spill and Gas Leakage Response Procedure
• Bushfire Management Plan
• Property Vegetation Plan
• Monitoring Results
  • Blast Monitoring
  • Dust Monitoring
  • Noise Monitoring
  • Weather Information
• Annual Environmental Management Report
• DECCW-EPA Licence

About the Broula Mine

Broula is located approximately 20 kms west of Cowra in central NSW.

Since its discovery in the early 1900’s the Broula magnetite deposit has been the focus of mineral exploration activity carried out by several companies.  The deposit was mined for iron ore during World War II but closed in the late-1940’s.

A development application was lodged with Cowra Shire Council in early 2007 seeking consent to re-develop the deposit.  Development consent was granted in June, 2007.  The NSW Department of Primary Industries granted Mining Lease No. 1616 over the Broula Deposit on 31 March, 2008.

Computer modeling undertaken on behalf of Somerset Mining Pty Ltd indicates the existence of approximately 1.4 million tonnes of magnetite ore.  This ore is suitable for direct shipping to steel or pellet makers.  The ore can also be treated to produce saleable magnetite concentrate suitable for use in coal preparation.

Limestone occurs adjacent to the magnetite ore in the deposit.  Haematite (the oxidised portion of the magnetite ore body) lies above the magnetite. 
 
Somerset Mining Pty Ltd will mine and crush magnetite (Fe3O4 - magnetic iron ore), haematite (Fe2O3 - non-magnetic iron ore), and limestone from the deposit.  The products will either be transported directly to markets or undergo further processing prior to sale.  Markets for magnetite, haematite and limestone both outside and within the region have been identified.

Somerset Mining Pty Ltd commenced mining operations at the Broula Mine in August, 2008.  Sales of haematitic ore for BlueScope Steel’s works in Port Kembla and for Blue Circle Southern Cement at Berrima commenced in December, 2008.  Development of the magnetite and limestone resources will commence after removal of the haematitic ore.