Heavy mineral deposits of the North Coast beaches

Updated: 2025-11-17

The principal heavy mineral deposits occur along the stretch of beaches from Ballina to Tweed Heads, in northern New South Wales, though lesser, but still commercial, accumulations are known at least as far south as Coff's Harbour, and north to Southport in Queensland. Beaches at Yamba, Wooli, and at Fingal have been worked out by Porter and Derrick, the principal producers. This report gives an overview of mineral occurrence, and the formation, composition, and origin of the deposits.