The C.S.I.R.O Division of Industrial Chemistry, Melbourne, expressed interest in the possibility that some of the duricrustal material in the north of South Australia might compare favorably with the South African "silcrete" which has successfully been used in the manufacture of high quality refractory bricks. After consultation with the Mines Department material was found near Allandale Homestead, fifteen miles from Oodnadatta which was tested and found promising. Samples of four grades 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D were forwarded to this Department. Sample 3D (apparently equivalent to 2D) was rated as particularly good, 3A and 3B as useful and 3C of doubtful value. The Broken Hill Proprietary Company was approached by the Department and agreed to make trial bricks from a two hundred weight sample and evaluate their suitability. It has been stated that about 20,000 tons of silica furnace bricks are used annually in Australia. It was decided to procure a two hundredweight sample for this purpose and to make a rough assessment of the deposit. A geological survey of the Algebuckina 1-Mile Military Sheet (to be published) had disclosed a siliceous capping in the Mount Harvey area which, being only about four miles from Mount Dutton Railway siding was considered a promising area for possible exploitation. Field investigations and sampling of this and the Allandale deposit were carried out during the period 2nd to the 4th June 1954.