Western Australia’s Premium Mineral Ores: Attapulgite Clay and Diatomaceous Earth

Hudson Resources Ltd is proud to mine and supply some of Western Australia’s highest-quality attapulgite clay (palygorskite) and freshwater diatomaceous earth (DE). These naturally occurring minerals are valued globally for their unique physical and chemical properties, and they serve as essential raw materials across agriculture, poultry, pharmaceuticals, pet care, filtration, and industrial applications.

Attapulgite Clay: A Naturally Structured Mineral

Attapulgite clay, sometimes called Fuller’s Earth or Palygorskite, is a fibrous, needle-like clay with a unique 3D crystalline structure. This architecture creates:

• Extremely high surface area: Provides exceptional adsorption capacity for water, ions, and organic compounds.

• High cation exchange capacity (CEC): Naturally binds ammonia, heavy metals, and other charged molecules without chemical modification.

• Non-swelling, friable nature: Maintains structure under pressure or moisture, keeping materials loose and aerated.

• Thermal and chemical stability: Retains properties across a wide range of temperatures and pH levels.

These properties make attapulgite clay ideal for diverse applications:

• Agricultural & Poultry Use: Moisture control and ammonia binding in poultry litter, fertilizer performance enhancers.

• Industrial: Thickening agents, absorbents, drilling mud stabilisers, and chemical carrier systems.

• Environmental & Filtration: Spill clean-up, wastewater treatment, and oil filtration.

• Pet Care & Pharmaceuticals: Odour control in litter products, controlled-release formulations.

Hudson Resources’ deposits hold 24 million tonnes of proven attapulgite clay reserves, ensuring long-term supply for Australian and international markets.

Diatomaceous Earth: Natural Silica with High Porosity

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is composed of the fossilised silica shells of microscopic freshwater algae called diatoms. The WA deposits mined by Hudson Resources are highly prized for:

• High purity, amorphous silica: Free from crystalline forms harmful in industrial or agricultural applications.

• Extremely porous structure: Billions of microscopic pores per gram provide enormous absorption and moisture-holding capacity.

• Lightweight, friable material: Easy to handle, spread, or blend with other raw materials.

• Thermal stability and chemical inertness: Can be used in high-temperature processes and in contact with sensitive biological systems.

Applications of freshwater DE include:

• Agriculture & Poultry: Absorbs moisture and reduces ammonia in litter; controls pests such as mites and lice.

• Filtration & Water Treatment: Beer, wine, juices, and pharmaceuticals.

• Industrial Abrasives & Fillers: Polishing agents, filler in paints, plastics, and cement.

• Environmental Remediation: Oil, chemical, and heavy-metal adsorption.

The Western Australian Badgingarra deposit provides DE with exceptional porosity, high surface area, and consistent particle size, making it a premium raw material for multiple industries. Proven reserves are 3.5 million tonnes, ensuring secure domestic supply.

Synergy of Attapulgite Clay and Diatomaceous Earth

When combined, these minerals provide a unique dual-function material:

• Attapulgite binds ions, odours, and moisture at a microscopic level.

• Diatomaceous earth rapidly absorbs and immobilises surface moisture and provides incidental pest control.

This combination is particularly effective in poultry litter management, helping growers maintain dry, friable litter, reduce footpad dermatitis, and suppress ammonia — all without chemical additives.

Why Hudson Resources Minerals Stand Out

• Sovereign Supply: Domestic mining ensures stable, AUD-priced supply free from import risk.

• High Quality: Rigorous processing maintains the natural structure, purity, and performance of each ore.

• Versatile Applications: From agriculture to pharmaceuticals, filtration, industrial, and environmental uses.

• Sustainable Mining Practices: Full compliance with WA environmental regulations and responsible extraction methods.

Partnering with Hudson Resources

Whether you are a manufacturer, integrator, or technical developer, Hudson Resources provides bulk minerals, consistent quality, and technical support for:

• Attapulgite clay for absorption, binding, and thickening applications.

• Diatomaceous earth for moisture control, filtration, and desiccation.

• Tailored blends for agriculture, poultry, pet care, and industrial use.