Australia is rich in gemstone and mineral resources but one resource, ornamental gemstones, has never been exploited to it's best potential due to a lack of investors to fund a mining operation and purchase the right equipment. Lack of foresight, on the part of Australian investors, has prevented an industry from growing.

Most of these gem resources are in difficult to reach, faraway places, but, with a fully funded operation it is possible to turn the 'sleeping giant' into a multi-million dollar a year industry and create employment for hundreds of people.

In 1969 we prospected Australia for gemstones and minerals and in September that yewar we discovered the malachite, cerussite and pyromorphite deposit at Rum Jungle. During the 1980's we focused on prospecting Australia for reserves of ornamental gemstones and took up mining tenements to try to raise funds to establish such an industry. Our prospecting for ornamental gemstones commenced in 1979 and carried on through he 1980's during which time we identified more than 50 possible reserves of ornamental gems and mineral specimen material.

At the end of the 1980's we wrote a proposal for funding the venture but, due to the economic climate at the time, we were unable to raise the funds to launch the venture.

Below, are some of the gemstones which may be mined throughout Australia and over the coming days we will endeavour to update the information with details of possible reserves, mining costs and uses for the raw materials.

Agate, Amethyst, Prehnite (our tradname is SunJade®), Petrified Wood, Jasper, Calc-silicates, Jade, Black Jade, Rhodonite.

A special mention is made of a rare precious gem, prehnite, which is found in abundance on the reserves in Northern Territory. We own possibly the largest reserve of gem grade prehnite in the world.

Gem quality prehnite is a truly magnificent stone which has numerous uses in the gem and mineral industry. This versatile gem fits all categories, cabochons, faceted stones, carvings, and specimens.

Prehnite is a phyllosilicate of calcium and aluminium. Fe3+ may substitute aluminium in the structure. Prehnite, from our mine at Wave Hill, Northern Territory is possibly the finest quality gem grade prehnite in the world. 

Valuations on faceted stones have been advertised at over $US100.00 per carat and one faceted 8 carat yellow gem was valued at $US200.00 per carat by the Gemological Institute (USA) in 1990..