Opals are formed in both sedimentary and volcanic rocks. Nearly 100%of Australia’s opal production is derived from sedimentary opal deposits. All the Australian opal fields are situated in arid inland areas with little relief; and the opal is found at shallow depths, usually less than 30m, in deeply weathered rock in which there has been [...]
Mining the shiny stuff involves a lengthy process of separating the shiny stuff in the ground from the other pieces of rock, soil, and natural debris surrounding it. Beginners to gold mining can complete the process with a few different methods; panning, sluicing, or using a metal detector.
Coal burning powers homes and businesses all over the world. In Australia, most of the country’s electricity comes from domestically produced coal being burned in plants. But the substance is also responsible for a large amount of Australia’s greenhouse gases, and has come under fire as environmentally unfriendly, a message that is gaining support in [...]
