Talc

  • Talc is a versatile soft, white mineral, used in making paint, plastics, paper, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
  • Mount Fitton, about 130 km northeast of Leigh Creek, has the largest and highest grade of all the South Australian talc deposits.
  • The road through the talc mine gradually deteriorates to a track and comes out at the homestead of Mt Fitton which was a prosperous sheep property in the 1920s, now part of Mt Freeling Station http://www.mtfreeling.com.au/

Mt Fitton

  • The Adnyamathanha shared their knowledge of the talc deposits near Mt Fitton with Europeans.
    • Their stories tell how the talc was formed, and their regret at how sharing the information led to mining.
  • Talc from this mine is pure and fine enough to use for cosmetics.
  • Talc has been mined continuously near Mt Fitton since 1945.
    • Joe Ford sought opinions from Gordon Greenwood and geologist Reg Sprigg about the value of the deposit. They were members of the first syndicate to open and work the mine.
    • It has changed hands several times.
    • In 2012 it is owned by Sibelco, one of the world’s largest industrial mineral companies.
    • Previous owners include Unimin Australia, Normandy Industrial Minerals and Steetley Industries Ltd.

Talc Alf

  • Cornelius Alferink, better known as Talc Alf used to load Mt Fitton talc onto trucks for transport to Adelaide for milling.
  • He selects special pieces, carves them into shapes and sells them from his outdoor gallery near Lyndhurst.

Resources for Talc