Walgidee Hills
Noonkanbah Station, Derby-West Kimberley Shire, Western Australia, Australia
Key Information
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Walgidee Hills, in Western Australia, is a remote area 100 km east of Derby, known for rare minerals like jeppeite and diamonds.
It features over 100 lamproite pipes, many with diamonds, and is part of a region with a rich mining history since the 1920s.
The climate is monsoonal, with hot, humid summers, and the ecology includes tropical savannah and unique wildlife like saltwater crocodiles.
Local culture ties to the Yungngora Aboriginal Community, with an economy based on cattle, diamonds, and tourism.
Geographic Location
Walgidee Hills is located within Noonkanbah Station, in the Derby-West Kimberley Shire, Western Australia, Australia, about 100 km east of the coastal town of Derby. It sits at coordinates 18° 18' 34'' South, 124° 51' 25'' East, in a vast, remote region covering 7,500 km², known for its over 100 lamproite pipes. Nearby, within the same area, are sub-localities like Mount Abbott, Howes Hill, Machells Pyramid, and Mount Ibis, each offering additional mineral exploration opportunities.
Minerals and Geology
This locality is a treasure for mineral enthusiasts, hosting 28 valid minerals, including three type localities—jeppeite, priderite, and wadeite—first described here. Notable finds include diamonds, chromite, magnesiochromite, perovskite, and rare species like noonkanbahite. The geological structure features Miocene-era (17.5 million years ago) lamproite pipes, often diamond-bearing, cutting through ancient sediments, with the largest deposit spanning 2.5 km and covering 490 hectares.
Mining and History
Mining history dates back to 1920, with significant exploration in the 1970s uncovering diamonds, and further finds in the 1990s and 2007. Jeppeite was discovered in 1969, adding to its fame among collectors. Specimens are often from research surplus, highly sought after for their rarity.
Culture and Climate
Part of Noonkanbah Station, occupied by the Yungngora Aboriginal Community, Walgidee Hills lies in a shire with a population of 8,231 (2011), relying on cattle, diamonds, and tourism. The climate is monsoonal, with hot, humid summers and cyclones, while the ecology features tropical savannah, rainforest pockets, and wildlife like saltwater crocodiles, with attractions like Geikie Gorge nearby.