Authors / CoAuthors
Jennings, A. | Senior, A. | Guerin, K. | Main, P. | Walsh, J.
Abstract
High-purity quartz (HPQ) is the only naturally occurring and economically viable source for the production of silicon. Silicon is a critical mineral, and a key component in modern technologies such as semiconductors and photovoltaic cells. Critical minerals support the move towards a greater reliance on electrification, renewable energy sources and economic security. The global transition to net zero carbon emissions means there is a growing need for new discoveries of HPQ to supply the silicon production chain. HPQ deposits are identified in a multitude of geological settings, including pegmatites, hydrothermal veins, sedimentary accumulations and quartzite; however, deposits of sufficient volume and quality are rare. Quartz is abundant throughout Australia, but the exploration and discovery of HPQ occurrences are notably under-reported, making assessment of the HPQ potential in Australia extremely difficult. This paper presents a much-needed summary of the state of the HPQ industry, exploration and deposit styles in Australia. KEY POINTS: 1. High-purity quartz (HPQ) is a key material for the manufacture of photovoltaic cells, semiconductors and other high-technology applications. 2. HPQ can be recovered from a variety of different source rocks in a range of geological settings. 3. Currently, the HPQ industry in Australia is under-utilised for high-technology applications, and historical exploration and mining records are under-reported and opaque. 4. This review presents an outline of the characteristics, processing requirements and end uses of HPQ, and a summary of the operations, deposits, exploration targets and known occurrences of HPQ in Australia. <b>Citation:</b> Jennings, A., Senior, A., Guerin, K., Main, P., & Walsh, J. (2024). A review of high-purity quartz for silicon production in Australia. <i>Australian Journal of Earth Sciences</i>, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/08120099.2024.2362296
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document
eCat Id
148594
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Keywords
- ( Project )
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- critical minerals
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- silicon
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- high purity quartz
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- Mineral deposit
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- mineral systems
- theme.ANZRC Fields of Research.rdf
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- Resource geoscience
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- photovoltaics
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- semiconductor
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- renewable energy
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- net zero
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- Published_External
Publication Date
2024-08-20T05:08:26
Creation Date
2023-06-28T12:00:00
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Purpose
This paper was produced for publication in the Critical Minerals Special Edition of AJES. The purpose of the paper is to identify quartz deposit types in Australia and internationally that can be exploited for the purpose of producing silicon.
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asNeeded
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geoscientificInformation
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Australian Journal of Earth Sciences
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<div>This paper is a review and interpretation of publicly available reports, datasets and geology to establish an understanding of potential high purity quartz sources, deposit types and mineral systems for silicon production in Australia. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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[-44.00, -9.00, 112.00, 154.00]
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