Pippingarra Quarry

Pippingarra Quarry operates within the Marble Bar district, East Pilbara, Western Australia — one of the most geologically ancient and thermally extreme terrains on Earth. The site sits on Archean pegmatite intrusions within the Pilbara Craton. Elevation is moderate but terrain is characterised by hard-rock outcrops, ironstone ridges, and pervasive red-dirt fine particulates. Dust suppression systems, high-grade air filtration units, and abrasion-resistant wear liners are non-negotiable operational requirements for all mobile and fixed plant deployed here.

Mining concession M45/258 is held by North West Quarries Pty Ltd (NWQ), with Industrial Minerals Ltd (ASX: IND) holding an exclusive option to acquire 80% of mineral rights, forming a formal 80/20 Joint Venture upon exercise. NWQ manages granite extraction for construction aggregates; IND targets high-purity quartz and lithium mineralisation. The dual-commodity model creates parallel procurement cycles:

• Aggregate crushing and screening supply chain (NWQ-led)
• Pegmatite beneficiation and mineral separation (IND-led)
• Shared site infrastructure and access road maintenance
• Local mechanical workshop support from Port Hedland is critical to minimise costly unplanned downtime

The pegmatite orebody demands a technically rigorous processing circuit. Key engineering requirements include:

• Primary crushing circuit: jaw and cone crushers rated for hard Archean pegmatite (UCS typically 150–220 MPa)
• Dense media separation (DMS) or flotation plant for lithium mineral concentration
• High-purity quartz processing: acid leaching and attrition scrubbing stages
• Reagent handling systems with strict physico-chemical control (pH, temperature, particle size distribution)
• Wear-resistant liners and ceramic-coated cyclones mandatory given high-silica abrasivity

Proximity to Port Hedland (~50 km) provides logistical advantage for heavy equipment mobilisation and product export.

Operating within the East Pilbara requires strict adherence to Aboriginal Heritage Act 2021 (WA) obligations. Heritage surveys and Section 18 consent processes are mandatory prior to any ground disturbance expansion. B2B procurement strategies should prioritise:

• Engagement with Nyamal and Kariyarra Traditional Owner groups for heritage clearance and cultural monitoring
• Preferred supplier agreements with Aboriginal-owned businesses (aligned with WA's Aboriginal Procurement Policy)
• Dust and water management plans compliant with DWER environmental conditions
• Rehabilitation bonding and progressive land restoration commitments under Mining Act 1978 (WA)