Mineral research projectsResearch Projects | Updated 2 months ago DeGrussa calcite ball WA Museum Currently, Dr Downes and colleagues are researching the colourful secondary minerals of the DeGrussa copper mine in central Western Australia. These minerals formed during the weathering of the sulfide orebody after it was exposed to oxygen-rich groundwaters and the atmosphere near the Earth’s surface during the Cenozoic era. Another research project is investigating the mineralogy and petrogenesis of the Cummins Range carbonatite from the Kimberley region. These igneous rocks host a significant resource of rare-earth elements that are in great demand for applications in modern technologies such as LED screens, electric motors, medical imaging and nuclear reactors. The mineral collections have a fascinating history dating back to the late 19th century and a further line of enquiry is uncovering the stories and people behind the collections.