Helena and Aurora Range

The Helena and Aurora Range lies in the northern Yilgarn region of Western Australia, in the north western corner of a vast tract of temperate woodlands known as the Great Western Woodlands.

The range is called a Banded Iron Formation (BIF) and consists mainly of iron-rich chert. The geology of the range is about 2.6 million years old.

It is one of a number of such ranges that lie in and around the Great Western Woodlands. These low, scattered ranges emerge from mostly flat, wooded landscape and are ecologically and culturally highly significant.

The Helena and Aurora Range is home to many rare, endemic and threatened species:
• 5 endemic flora species
• 2 declared rare flora species
• 14 priority species
• 3 threatened fauna species
• 10 BIF dependent flora species
• 1 Priority-One ecological community

Despite repeated recommendations over several decades from scientists, government agencies and conservation organisations for full protection of the Helena and Aurora Range, the area has been vested by the Western Australian Government only as a “Conservation Park”. This lesser category of reserve allows mining as a future land use.

Unfortunately Banded Iron Formations in and around the Great Western Woodlands are being systematically targeted by the mining industry for iron ore mining. Several ranges, including the once beautiful Windarling Range, are already in the process of being destroyed by mining companies. Many more, including the Helena and Aurora Range, are in the industry’s firing line.