Kara No. 1 Pit
Kara Mines, Hampshire mining district, Burnie City, Tasmania, Australia
Key Information
Do not enter mining areas without proper authorization.
The Kara No. 1 Pit is located 40 km south of Burnie in northwestern Tasmania, Australia, part of a region known for its natural beauty and mining history.
It primarily produces magnetite and scheelite, with andradite garnet being notable for collectors.
The geological structure is a skarn formed by Devonian granites intruding Ordovician limestones, rich in iron and other minerals.
Mining started in 1978, is currently active, and employs around 60 local workers, with collecting no longer permitted.
The area has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool, wet winters, and is near the Tarkine wilderness, reflecting Tasmania’s cultural and ecological significance.
Geographic Location
The Kara No. 1 Pit is situated in the Hampshire mining district, 40 km south of Burnie, a coastal city in northwestern Tasmania, Australia. Tasmania, an island state, is renowned for its stunning landscapes, including the nearby Tarkine wilderness, one of the largest temperate rainforests globally. The exact coordinates are 41° 18' 33'' South, 145° 46' 30'' East, placing it in a remote yet accessible part of the region. Nearby settlements include Highclere (12.4 km), Upper Natone (12.6 km), and Natone (19.7 km), though these are small and not primarily known for mining.
Minerals and Geology
The pit is famous for magnetite, an iron ore, and scheelite, a tungsten ore, with 53 valid minerals recorded, including andradite garnet, highly sought after by collectors. The geological structure is a zoned skarn, formed when Late Devonian granites intruded Ordovician limestones, creating a complex mineral-rich environment through four paragenetic stages involving clinopyroxene, garnet, vesuvianite, magnetite, and more.
Mining History and Operations
Mining at Kara No. 1 Pit began in 1978 and is currently operated by Tasmania Mines Pty Ltd, employing around 60 local workers. It’s the only active mine in a series of related skarn deposits, with resources exceeding 20 million tonnes and an expected life of over 25 years. Magnetite is used in Australia’s coal industry, while scheelite is exported for specialty steel and lighting. Collecting is no longer permitted, as reported by local collectors.
Local Culture and Climate
Tasmania’s culture is shaped by its mining history, with the north-west region, including Burnie, reflecting this legacy. Burnie, 40 km north, has a vibrant arts scene and is a gateway to the Tarkine wilderness. The climate is temperate maritime, with mild summers (15-25°C), cool autumns (10-20°C), chilly winters (5-14°C), and mild springs (10-18°C), with consistent rainfall (923 mm annually) and rare snowfall. The region’s ecology includes unique flora and fauna, enhanced by the nearby wilderness.