Mount Jackson (Western Australia) facts for kids
Mount Jackson is a hill located in the outback of Western Australia. It's found about 67 kilometers (42 miles) northwest of Koolyanobbing and 110 kilometers (68 miles) northeast of Southern Cross. This area is part of the Shire of Yilgarn.
About Mount Jackson
Mount Jackson is a significant landmark in Western Australia. It stands about 617 meters (2,024 feet) tall. This hill is known for its history of discovery and, more recently, for its mining activities.
Discovery and Early Days
The hill was first discovered and named by Augustus Gregory on August 17, 1846. He was on an expedition exploring east and north of the Swan River. Many years later, in January 1894, prospectors James Speakman and William Hall found gold at Mount Jackson. This discovery brought early attention to the area.
Mining for Iron Ore
Today, Mount Jackson is an active mining site. Since around 2003, companies have been mining for iron ore here. As of 2008, Cliffs Asia Pacific Iron Ore Pty Ltd, a part of Cliffs Natural Resources, operates the mine. The mining area covers about 605 hectares (1,495 acres).
The Mount Jackson mine is part of a larger project called the Koolyanobbing Iron Ore Project. This project also includes mines at Koolyanobbing and Windarling, which is about 25 kilometers (16 miles) further north.
How Ore is Moved
Once the iron ore is dug out of the ground, it needs to be transported. The ore from Mount Jackson is loaded onto large trucks. These trucks carry the ore along a special haul road to Koolyanobbing. From there, the ore is put onto trains. The trains then take the iron ore all the way to the port at Esperance. From Esperance, the ore is shipped overseas to other countries.
The mine at Mount Jackson is expected to operate for about 10 years. During this time, miners plan to remove around 33 million tonnes of iron ore from two large pits.
