An earlier reconnaissance survey indicated that monazite is the only likely source of thorium in Australia and further, that the beach sands on the eastern coast for approximately 170 miles on either side of the Queensland-New South Wales border contain by far the largest reserves of monazite. For this reason a special investigation of these sands was conducted. An inspection was made during September, 1944, of the beach sand deposits and of the various plants engaged in the production of concentrates from the sands. Samples were taken, where necessary, to supplement the known information about the composition of the sands and of the different mill products, mainly with a view to ascertaining the distribution and disposal of monazite in the concentrates. The production procedures, disposal practices, and total production of monazite are discussed in this report. An accompanying locality map is included.

During August, 1944, a mineral specimen received at this Branch from Mr. C.R. Wright of Alice Springs was tentatively identified as altered allanite, and on testing with the Geiger-Muller apparatus was found to be radio-active. In October, 1944, the site of the discovery was visited by the writer and further specimens were collected. A portion of these specimens, which are also radio-active, was forwarded to the Division of Industrial Chemistry, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Melbourne, where the sample forwarded was identified by R. Grenfell Thomas as triplite. Triplite is essentially a fluo-phosphate of manganese and iron. Later a further small parcel of specimens was received and it is now realised that the specimens so far examined contain more than one mineral, but apparently no allanite. This report comprises detailed descriptions of the deposit and the triplite.

At the request of Mr. G. Lindesay Clark, Deputy Controller of Minerals Production, estimates have been made of the grade of ore likely to be delivered to the mill during the next two years under conditions of half-scale production. The methods of estimating tonnage and grade, as well as the resultant estimates, are discussed in this report.

The Pannikin Mine is situated on the south side of the Hart's Range about 7 miles southeast of Mount Riddock and about 9 or 10 miles a little south of east from Schaber's homestead. The Elbow deposit is about 1 1/2 miles south-southwest from the Pannikin. The two deposits, and another smaller one in the same locality, were visited on 22nd October, 1944. The accompanying plan of the Pannikin was made with compass and tape. The report comprises notes on the two mica deposits. Accompanying sketch plans of the Pannikin and Elbow deposits are included.

Four core samples were submitted by New Occidental Gold Mines N.L. on 4th December, 1944. The descriptions of the samples that follow are based on a brief megascopic examination of the cores by H.B. Owen, Geologist of the Mineral Resources Survey. The results of tests for magnetic orientation and susceptibility are described.

Western Australia is the only State from which vermiculite is produced. Occurrences are known in some of the other states and in the Northern Territory, but the information is not sufficiently detailed to enable their importance to be assessed. Vermiculite occurrence by State and Territory, and processing capabilities, are detailed in this report.

A collection of cores was sent by the Zinc Corporation for the purpose of magnetic orientation of bedding planes. The collection consists of seven pieces mostly of short length. The results of the magnetic tests, and recommendations for future testing, are discussed in this report.

The presence of quartz crystals in one of the dumps of an old gold mine, known as Black Charlie's mine, in the Strathbogie Ranges led to the re-opening of part of the workings in the search for crystal suitable for piezo-electrical applications. To date the search has met with success, and has resulted in the recovery of crystals from the old workings and the discovery of a second crystal deposit nearby. The mine, now named the Crystal King mine, was visited by the writer on 9th December, 1944, and again on 22nd January, 1945. The general geology, economic geology, and production capabilities of the deposits are discussed in this report.

Note that this record includes Record 1945/014 by the same author. The Arcadia bore is situated in the parish of Arcadia, county of Westgrove, 85 miles north of Roma and 40 miles north-north-east of Injune. Drilling operations extended from 1936 to 1939 and were carried out by Drillers Limited. The bore was drilled in a large dome structure developed in Triassic and Permian sediments. The Arcadia bore is the second deep bore in Queensland from which a comprehensive series of samples has been examined for their microfaunal content. This examination was carried out on 1,256 samples consisting of drill cuttings taken over every five feet and of cores taken at numerous depths below 4,112 feet. The findings from the examination of these samples are described in this report.

This report describes magnetic investigations made at East Arm, for the purpose of determining whether a certain area would be suitable as a site for an aircraft compass swinging base. A similar survey was made on an adjoining area in December, 1944 (Report No. 1945/1) where magnetic conditions were found to be satisfactory but for other reasons the general design was altered and the site of the proposed swinging base was moved from that area. On 9th June, 1945, a request for investigation of the new site was submitted. The instruments used and the methods employed were similar to those used in the December survey and the report on that survey should be consulted for details of the same. The results of the survey are discussed here. Two accompanying plans are included.