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 TALC

Potential and Outlook and there has never been any systematic evaluation.
Field reconnaissance suggests that the mapped
There is excellent potential in New South Wales for talc, talc–carbonate rocks contain extensive areas of talc-
especially from extensive talc–carbonate rocks near rich rocks, and coarse-grained, light-coloured talc is
Cootamundra (Figure 28). The prospective areas occur at common, particularly at the margins of the mapped
several sites at the northern end of the Coolac Serpentinite talc–carbonate rocks. In many of the exposures of
Belt (Figure 6), between Coolac and Wallendbeen. The the talc–carbonate rocks, talc appears to make up a
Muttama deposit also occurs in this area. The geology of considerable proportion of the rock.
these prospects and deposits is similar to those that are
exploited on a large scale overseas.
There has been a general perception within the Nature and Occurrence
industrial minerals industry in Australia that dolomite- Talc is a phyllosilicate with the formula Mg3Si4O10(OH)2.
associated talc deposits are purer than ultramafic- It is formed by the alteration of magnesium-rich rocks,
associated deposits. This perception has undoubtedly such as dolomite, siliceous dolomite and ultramafic rocks.
contributed to the lack of interest in the past in the The weak links between the layers in the crystal structure
ultramafic-associated talc deposits of the state. of talc cause the mineral’s extreme softness (hardness of
However, there are large commercial operations one on Mohs’ scale), and its characteristic greasy, soapy
overseas in ultramafic associations that produce high- feel. Talc deposits can form in three geological settings:
quality talc (e.g. Vermont, USA) from rocks with 1. contact metamorphism of dolomite
as little as 20% talc. It is important to note that the 2. regional metamorphism or metasomatic alteration
suitability of talc for high-grade industrial applications of ultramafic rocks, such as peridotite or pyroxenite,
is independent of the type of deposit (Harben 1999). or mafic rocks such as gabbro
Nearly all commercial talcs have impurities, usually
dolomite or magnesite. Sophisticated processing, 3. hydrothermal alteration in volcanic rocks (rare).
including flotation and magnetic separation, is In metamorphic settings, talc forms in both prograde
commonly used to increase the purity of the product. and retrograde processes, depending on specific
Deposits near Wallendbeen were mined on a small circumstances, and may occur in shear zones and
scale between 1910 and 1967. The deposits were similar structures. The term ‘steatite’ is used for any
worked over a distance of more than 4.5 km, and talc-rich rock regardless of origin. ‘Steatisation’ is the
over 16 000 tonnes of talc were produced (Holmes term used for the formation of such rocks.
1977). Talc sources include talc schist, talc–carbonate, The most abundant type of talc deposit is that associated
and quartzite near a serpentinite–granite contact. with ultramafic rocks, and in such a setting it may
Considerable resources of talc may be present that occur as large, almost monomineralic masses, or as
could be amenable to sophisticated processing. Iron talc–carbonate rocks.
staining of the talc was reported to be a problem in
Deposits associated with dolomitic rocks may be
marketing the talc. However, as all the workings were
of higher purity and of lower iron content than talc
shallow it is unlikely that fresh rock was reached at the
deposits in other settings, but are less common.
depths worked, even in underground workings.
Talc is mined in many countries. World talc production
Deposits of talc–carbonate rock associated with in 2004 was about 8 Mt (Table 40) (Virta 2004). The
serpentinite at Muttama, north of Coolac, were also precise amount is hard to specify as talc and pyrophyllite
mined intermittently for many years on a very small are commonly reported together. The major world talc
scale, for foundry use. producers are China, USA, India, France, Brazil, Italy
The areas occupied by the talc–carbonate rocks are and Australia. Other significant producers include
generally amenable to quarrying, and the main southern Austria, Republic of Korea, Russia and Spain.
railway transects the northern end of the prospective area. Mined deposits cover the full range of deposit
The commercial potential of the broader occurrences of types, but the most common association seems
talc–carbonate rock has never been recognised before, to be with serpentinitic rocks, talc being formed
Figure 28. Talc occurrences and prospective rocks in the Cootamundra–Wallendbeen area
by serpentinisation or by contact metamorphism,
commonly associated with carbonatisation and
New South Wales Occurrences
silicification. Major deposits are also associated with There are 52 recorded talc occurrences in New South
dolomitic rocks. These are believed to have formed Wales (Ray et al. 2003). Previous studies of talc in
by contact or regional metamorphism, hydrothermal New South Wales were undertaken by Gibbons (1968),
Lishmund and Clift (1969) and Holmes (1977). Talc
alteration or magnesium metasomatism. The deposits
has been mined on a small scale at numerous localities,
formed by such processes may be associated with talc
mainly in the Lachlan Orogen.
schists (steatite or soapstone) or talc–carbonate rocks
and magnesite (e.g. in Finland). Most New South Wales talc deposits are associated with
ultramafic rocks, or dolomite, and some are associated
with skarns, e.g. in the Goulburn and Crookwell areas,
Table 40. World talc production 2004 near Taralga, and near Wattle Flat (near Bathurst). Talc
has also been mined from small deposits at Havilah,
Country Production (tonnes)*
near Mudgee, associated with dolomitic limestone.
China 3 000 000
None of these deposits has been fully assessed. There is
also potential for more occurrences of talc associated
USA 857 000 with ophiolites.
Deposits in New South Wales that have been mined
India 550 000 include Muttama and Wallendbeen (ultramafic
association) (Figure 28); Cow Flat (near Bathurst,
France 350 000
involving regional and contact metamorphism of
Brazil 370 000
volcanic and dolomitic rocks); and Havilah (Mudgee area,
involving regionally metamorphosed dolomitic rocks).
Australia 173 000 Other deposits have been prospected at Wisemans Creek
(Oberon area, origin uncertain but volcanic setting); and
Italy 140 000 Rockley (ultramafic association) (south of Bathurst).
There are instances overseas of deposits being mined
Austria 135 000
and marketed as talc, when the material mined is
actually talc–chlorite or other such materials as quartz–
Other countries 2 745 000
sericite rock. There are several areas in New South
Total 8 320 000 Wales where deposits of sericite-rich rock occur, notably
near Pambula (south coast) and at Botobolar, near
* May include pyrophyllite Mudgee — in both cases associated with pyrophyllite
(discussed in a separate chapter). These deposits may
Source: Virta (2004)
have potential to produce material which could be used
as an alternative to talc in some applications, as occurs
overseas, but have not been evaluated.

Main Australian Deposits

Talc has been mined in most Australian states, Applications
but the major occurrences are those in Western The properties of talc which make it useful as an
Australia and South Australia. Western Australia industrial mineral are its softness, chemical inertness,
is the source of over 90% of Australian production. its oil-absorptive properties and its flakiness. These
The Three Springs talc mine, near Geraldton, in properties enable its use as filler material; in ceramics;
Western Australia is the country’s largest producer. as an absorbent; in cosmetics; and a wide range of
In 2004, almost 134 000 tonnes of talc were produced other applications. Depending on the application, the
at that operation (Western Australian Department specifications may focus on chemical composition
of Industry and Resources 2004). The most common (especially SiO2, MgO, CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3 and TiO2);
geological setting for Australian deposits is that of colour; odour; brightness; or oil-absorptive capacity.
contact metamorphism of dolomitic rocks (e.g. Three Numerous other industrial minerals compete with
Springs in Western Australia and Mount Fitton in talc in the major applications, but particularly kaolin,
South Australia). Regional metamorphic settings are calcium carbonate fillers and other clay minerals (such
also known, and some mined deposits are of uncertain as bentonite). However, higher grade talcs are actively
origin (e.g. Gumeracha area, South Australia). traded internationally.
Economic Factors References
It is notable that some of the major world talc deposits Gibbons G.S. 1968. Talc, steatite and pyrophyllite.
are of the ultramafic association, which in Australia has Geological Survey of New South Wales, Mineral Industry 37.
traditionally been regarded as a source of low-grade talc. Harben P.W. 1999. The industrial minerals handybook. 3rd
Sophisticated processing of talc ores is commonplace edition. Industrial Minerals Information Ltd, London.
overseas, including magnetic separation and flotation, Holmes G.G. 1977. The industrial applications of talc and
which allow ores with as little as 20% talc to be mined. pyrophyllite, and the economic potential of deposits in New
However, it is also common for other associated South Wales. Geological Survey of New South Wales, Report
minerals, such as tremolite, magnesite and dolomite, GS1977/064 (unpubl.).
and even sulphide concentrates, to be extracted from Lishmund S.R. & Clift D.S.L. 1969. Thuddungra talc
the same ore for commercial use. Some of the associated prospect. Geological Survey of New South Wales, Report
minerals, such as tremolite, silica and anthophyllite, are GS1969/360 (unpubl.).
considered health hazards in some countries. Ray H.N., MacRae G.P., Cain L.J. & Malloch K.R. 2003.
Talc has been mined in most developed countries. New South Wales Industrial Minerals Database, 2nd edition.
High-grade talc may be readily marketed Geological Survey of New South Wales, Sydney, CD-ROM.
internationally, but the lower grades have more Virta R.L. 2004. Talc and pyrophyllite. In: United States
restricted markets. The major problems for Australian Geological Survey. compiler. Minerals Yearbook: Volume 1
producers are the comparatively small domestic — Metals and Minerals 2004. United States Department of
demand, the distances to overseas markets and the Interior.
competition from other materials, particularly in Western Australian Department of Industry and
mineral fillers and ceramics. However, the outlook for Resources 2004. Western Australian Mineral and Petroleum
high-grade talc is positive. Statistics Digest 2004. Government of Western Australia.