Jurien Gypsum

The Jurien Bay Lime Sand Project (tenement M70/307) operates within the South West Mining Field, Wheatbelt Region, Western Australia. The terrain is characterised by low-relief coastal plain with aeolian calcareous sand deposits — shallow overburden and flat gradients that simplify bulk earthmoving logistics but demand precise water management due to the region's semi-arid seasonal variability. Proximity to the Indian Ocean coastline introduces wind erosion as a primary geotechnical constraint for exposed stockpiles.

Operating under Westdeen Holdings, with downstream supply linkage to Aglime of Australia, the site functions as an agricultural lime amendment source for broadacre farming across the Wheatbelt. The remote nature of the South West M.F. district creates acute dependency on local mechanical workshops for mobile plant servicing. Unplanned downtime on loading or screening equipment directly disrupts seasonal delivery windows — making on-call B2B maintenance contracts a critical procurement priority for site continuity.

• Primary commodity: Limesand (agricultural grade calcium carbonate)
• End market: Broadacre soil pH correction, Wheatbelt WA
• Key operational risk: Seasonal demand peaks with limited local vendor redundancy
• Operator: Westdeen Holdings (project proponent)

Limesand extraction at Jurien Bay employs shallow open-cut methodology with front-end loaders and scrapers operating across low-bench faces. Given the friable, unconsolidated nature of calcareous sand, conveyor belt systems are the preferred material transfer solution — minimising segregation and dust generation between the extraction face, screening plant, and stockpile zones. Proper conveyor tensioning and belt tracking maintenance is non-negotiable in sandy, abrasive environments where idler and pulley wear rates are significantly accelerated.

• Extraction method: Open-cut, low-bench, no blasting required
• Material handling: Belt conveyors + trommel/vibrating screen classification
• Key wear components: Idlers, pulleys, belt splices (high replacement frequency)
• Dust suppression: Critical given coastal wind exposure and product fineness

The tailings and overburden management profile at Jurien Bay is relatively low-complexity given the non-toxic, inert nature of calcareous limesand. However, Western Australian DMP regulations mandate structured progressive rehabilitation — including topsoil segregation, native seed reintroduction, and post-extraction landform recontouring. Aglime of Australia's supply chain positioning reinforces a circular ESG narrative: the extracted material directly improves agricultural soil health, reducing synthetic fertiliser dependency and supporting carbon sequestration in Wheatbelt farmland.

• Tailings classification: Inert calcareous sand — low environmental hazard
• Rehabilitation obligation: Progressive, per DMIRS Mining Proposal conditions
• ESG value proposition: Soil acidification remediation → reduced agrochemical inputs
• Regulatory framework: Mining Act 1978 (WA), Mine Rehabilitation Fund (MRF) levy applicable