Spriggs Creek Bore Area Garnet Deposits, Spriggs Creek Bore (Spriggs Bore), Ambalindum Station, Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges), Central Desert Region, Northern Territory, Australiai

Regional Level Types
Spriggs Creek Bore Area Garnet Deposits	Group of Deposits
Spriggs Creek Bore (Spriggs Bore)	- not defined -
Ambalindum Station	- not defined -
Harts Range (Harts Ranges; Hartz Range; Hartz Ranges)	Mountain Range
Central Desert Region	Region
Northern Territory	Territory
Australia	Country

Several alluvial garnet deposits within a 5 kilometre radius of the Mistral Ruby Mine, were explored by Mistral Mines NL in the 1980's, and Barfuss Corporation Pty Ltd in the 1990's. The low quality garnet was assessed for abrasives.

With only the most basic map supplied with the exploration reports, the exact locations are vague. However, considering the prevalence of garnet in the district (Entire, Spriggs, and Lizzie Creeks), it appears little effort would be required to pick up a few garnets in many places.

The first location is 3 kilometres (as the crow flies) north north-east of the Mistral Ruby Mine, on the western side of a 902 metre high un-named mountain. Mica and kyanite is also said to found. Described as small semi transparent garnet crystals in weathered gneiss, with coarse feldspar crystals nearby, and small attractive book mica. (No further mention is made of the kyanite).

The second location is about 2 kilometres east of the Mistral Ruby Mine, as garnet in gneiss. It is marked as just west of the ruby mine access track, and south of Entire Creek. Some of the garnets are weathered, 1-2 cms diameter, semi transparent, with good shape.

Extensive garnet sand to grit, with potential larger stones (some gem quality) is found in the Entire, Spriggs and Lizzie Creek systems, and neighbouring alluvium. This would appear to incorporate the Entire Creek from the ruby mine to its junction with Spriggs Creek; most of Spriggs Creek including the Spriggs Creek Bore; and most of Lizzie Creek which heads south off Spriggs Creek. The creek beds are usually dry most of time, apart from the very occasional and random flood events in the desert.

The loose red garnet sand should in theory be readily apparent, considering the stream beds in many places are 10-50% garnet sand/grit, locally to 90%. Barfuss states it covers an area of 13 square kilometres. Gangue is quartz, feldspar, hornblende, with associated scheelite, zircon, and ruby corundum in the alluvium.

Garnet sand to grit is also found in the Florence Creek, although in a different drainage system. This is a north-south trending creek, which flows into the Hale River, approximately 20 kilometres south-west of the ruby mine. The creek bed contains up to 52% garnet sand, with substantial scheelite, and minor epidote, hornblende, diopside, quartz, feldspar and mica. The river is difficult to reach.

All this garnet is weathered out of rock units like the Irindina and Brady Gneisses. Other creeks, and alluvium in the district potentially hold garnet also.

(Wilson, A.F., Kennedy, S. EL 5683 Final Report, Gemstone of Australia Pty Ltd, 11/4/1989) collected a small number of almandine garnets before their 4 wheel drive was destroyed in a fire. One garnet was a clear dark red almandine 3 mms diameter found 1.5 kms west of Spriggs Bore. Another, a clear dark red almandine greater than 4 mms in diameter 2.3 kms was found further west than where the first stone was found, in a tributary of Spriggs Creek. Lastly, a clear pink to red gem quality almandine 4-5 mms diameter, weathered from coarse garnet infused amphibolite and gneiss, was found 3.9 kilometres south south-west of Spriggs Creek, between Spriggs Creek Bore and Lizzie Bore to the south.

Co-ordinates are for the Spriggs Creek Bore.

See Ambalindum locality for access details.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References