Download Iluka Chair Fact Sheet

Iluka Chair
in Vegetation Science and Biogeography
Fact Sheet
Iluka Chair
Iluka Resources has formed a partnership with The University of Western Australia to
research and restore areas of kwongan heathland near Eneabba in the Mid West of
Western Australia, at one of Iluka’s mining and processing operations.
The partnership’s primary focus is sponsorship of the Chair in Vegetation Science and
Biogeography at UWA’s School of Plant Biology. The five-year sponsorship, which took
effect on 1 March 2013, is valued at $1.3 million.
Winthrop Professor
Ladislav (Laco) Mucina
Winthrop Professor Ladislav Mucina, who has been appointed Iluka Chair, will focus
on descriptive vegetation science, ecological and evolutionary assembly in plant
communities, as well as the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in speciesrich shrub-lands around the world. No similar research is currently occurring at any
Australian university.
In addition to his research, Professor Mucina will provide new opportunities for
postgraduate research student training in various aspects of vegetation science.
Iluka’s Managing Director David Robb said the sponsorship would enable scientific
studies to be conducted independently. “This would ensure credibility and transparency
in an area of research fundamental to Iluka’s ongoing rehabilitation activities at
Eneabba and the long-term sustainability of kwongan heath,” Mr Robb said.
World-leading ecophysiologist Winthrop Professor Hans Lambers, from UWA’s School
of Plant Biology, said the improved understanding will be of national and international
significance, with likely benefits to vegetation science worldwide.”
Key areas of research & objectives
formation of protocols, guidelines, and
methodology of vegetation surveys and mapping
environmental filters important to vegetation
assembly
vegetation recovery after disturbance
achieve tangible improvements in the long-term
conservation prospects of endangered and rare
plant species
improve long-term planning for the conservation
of plant species
Professor Mucina is an internationally recognised
vegetation scientist.
His research includes vegetation surveys, mapping,
environmental management, plant community
restoration, biosystematics, biogeography,
palaeoecology, biodiversity science, and
conservation biology.
He has published extensively, is credited with the discovery of over 20
plant species, and worked in universities in Europe, Asia, Africa and
Australia.
Professor Mucina’s major scientific contributions involve the formulation
of protocols, guidelines and methodology of vegetation surveying and
mapping. He has developed the habitat system of the European Union,
classified indigenous forests of South Africa, as well as vegetation
mapping of South Africa. Since 1994, Professor Mucina has served as Vice President of the
International Association for Vegetation Science and is a founding
member and former editor of the Journal of Vegetation Science and
Applied Vegetation Science.
Perth
Kwongan Heathland
Kwongan heath vegetation is a globally significant, diverse eco-region, comprising
thousands of plant species, most found nowhere else, and including many that are rare
and endangered.
“Kwongan” is indigenous Australian (Noongar Aboriginal) for sand plain, a term now
used by botanists for the low heath vegetation found mainly on the sand plains of
Western Australia.
Apart from its characteristically low vegetation and its hard and small-leaved plants,
kwongan is unique for its:
Geraldton
Eneabba
Perth
WESTERN
AUSTRALIA
Kwongan heathlands
• biodiversity and high level of endemism;
• variety of adaptations to fire, drought, and extreme summer heat; and
• wildflower display with an enormous variety of morphology, colour, and habit.
These diverse vegetation characters are all the more interesting having evolved on
nutrient poor, usually sandy soils, in a Mediterranean-type climate.
Kwongan is a habitat for a diverse range of fauna, including kangaroos,
emus, honey possums, frogs, and many reptile and bird species.
A remarkable variety of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates add to the interest of
this ecosystem.
Eneabba
Eneabba is located in the Mid West of Western Australia, approximately 300 kilometres
north of Perth and approximately 150 kilometres south of Geraldton.
The region has historically been a significant source of mineral sands for global
markets.
Mineral sands mining at Eneabba commenced in 1975 with Iluka being the sole owner/
operator of operations in 1998.
Kwongan (native) vegetation disturbed by mining activities is approximately 2,300
hectares. Iluka has completed native vegetation rehabilitation of more than 1,500
hectares.
Open area for restoration and rehabilitation in the region is approximately 850 hectares.
A study of the indices of species diversity in Eneabba kwongan
1
shows it’s comparable to the richest of tropical rainforests.
1
Lamont et al. (1977) Nature 265, 438–441
Mineral sands
The term ‘mineral sands’ is primarily used to describe concentrations of heavy mineral
grains which occur as sand particles in sedimentary deposits. The deposits form along
rivers, beaches, dunes and the near shore marine environment.
The valuable heavy minerals of interest to Iluka include titanium dioxide bearing minerals
– rutile, ilmenite and leucoxene – and zircon. They occasionally concentrate into mineral
sand deposits because they are denser and heavier than normal sand grains which are
commonly made of quartz.
About Iluka
Iluka Resources is involved in the exploration,
project development, operations and marketing
of mineral sands. With operations in Victoria,
South Australia, Western Australia and the
United States, the company is the major producer
of zircon globally and largest producer of the
high-grade titanium dioxide products of rutile
and synthetic rutile. Products are shipped from
Iluka’s operations to customers globally.
Mineral sands end applications
The main mineral sands products of rutile, synthetic rutile (modified ilmenite), ilmenite
and zircon have a wide range of consumer, lifestyle, and industrial applications. These
include production of pigment used in paints, plastics, papers, titanium metal production,
welding electrodes, floor and wall tiles, sanitary ware, zirconium based chemicals, and
zirconia and zirconium metal.
Sustainability focus
Land management, rehabilitation and closure activities are a major focus in mine
planning and operation, and constitute a significant, ongoing part of Iluka’s core
activities.
The company employs skilled professionals including rehabilitation, land management
and environmental specialists, engineers and hydrogeologists to coordinate and
implement best practice rehabilitation of native vegetation.
The Iluka Chair in Vegetaion Science and Biogeography at UWA adds capacity to Iluka’s
sustainability goals. In addition, Iluka supports research by the Botanic Gardens &
Parks Authority (Kings Park Science Directorate) into the ecology and restoration of
known vegetation post-mining.
Iluka is continuously improving its capability to propagate species through its nationally
accredited site nursery (NIASA - Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme Australia).
Recent nursery developments are focused on propagation of difficult-to-grow species
via cuttings, and sedge propagation via division.
For further information on Iluka’s sustainability principles and performance refer to
www.iluka.com
Enquiries:
Rob Hattingh
General Manager Innovation Technology and Sustainability
Iluka Resources Limited
Email [email protected]
Phone +61 8 9360 4315 | Mobile +61 409 119 138
www.iluka.com