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ALUNITE DEPOSITS IN AUSTRALIA

There are at present three known deposits of alunite in Australia - two being in South Australia, one at Carrickalinga Head (on St. Vincent Gulf, about 40 miles south of Adelaide), and the other near Warnertown, 17 miles from Port Pirie.

The third, which has been described as the biggest deposit of alunite in the world and from which shipments have been made to England for many years, is found at Bullahdelah, New South Wales, about 60 miles north of Newcastle.

1917, THE NEED FOR POTASH

As potash for fertilization is perhaps at present the most pressing of our requirements, it may be pointed out that the results of experiments carried out by the Bureau of Soils, Washington, U. S. A., show that roasted alunite was on the average more effective than either high grade potassium sulphate or chloride. The increase of crops resulting from the addition of raw alunite was 14%. The roasted alunite gave 40%, and potassium sulphate and chloride about 38% and 31% respectively.

The best results were secured with from 50 to 100 lbs. per acre. These facts indicate that we have at our disposal a fertiliser for the supply of the much needed potash salts.

ADVANTAGES OF BULAHDELAH DEPOSITS

The Bullahdelah deposits are in a most favourable position to furnish a product of this position, and can be treated at low cost. The plant required would not involve a large outlay of capital, and the process is simple.

The problem is not so much a chemical or mechanical as an economic one. Australia should be easily able to supply potash salts without delay from her deposits of the mineral alunite.