Geology and exploration

Zinc

A zinc fragment. It is dark grey in colour with golden specks.

In Victoria, there is zinc mineralisation in most gold–sulphide and lead–silver deposits. Sphalerite (ZnS) is the main ore of zinc and is usually associated with galena and chalcopyrite.

Zinc mineralisation occurs in much the same way as lead, that is, as lenses within limestone, vein deposits associated with granitoids, and as volcanic-hosted massive sulphide mineralisation.

Two major volcanic-hosted massive sulphide zinc deposits are located near Limestone Creek in eastern Victoria and contain sphalerite with chalcopyrite and minor amounts of galena.

The Wilga deposit was mined primarily for copper and silver and also produced 16,894 tonnes of zinc from 956,980 tonnes of ore.

The nearby Currawong deposit is yet to be exploited and is relatively zinc-rich.

View the full list of metals.

Further information

Copper, lead, zinc and barium deposits of Victoria - Geological Survey of Victoria Bulletin 61

Minerals of Victoria - Geological Survey of Victoria Report 92

Geological history of Victoria

Victoria's Minerals, Petroleum and Extractives Industries – Annual Statistical Reports

Maps

To create your own maps online and in real time, plan exploration activities by viewing land status, or download GIS data to add to your own maps, visit GeoVic.

Map of Victoria showing primary zinc occurrences in the state's west but mostly in the state's east. There a quite a few secondary zinc occurrences to the north west of Melbourne and also to the east and north east of the state.

Page last updated: 12 Jan 2023