Yilgarn

Yilgarn is a region in Western Australia named after the Yilgarn Craton, a large and ancient core of continental crust that underlies much of the area. The craton formed during the Archean eon and contains rocks more than 2.5 billion years old, making it one of the oldest parts of the Earth's crust. The Yilgarn Craton includes subdivisions such as the Yilgarn Block and associated greenstone belts, which host substantial mineral systems and have supported long-standing mining activity.

Geographically, the Yilgarn region occupies a central to eastern portion of Western Australia within the broader Western Australian Shield. The landscape is dominated by arid to semi-arid climate zones, with terrain that features granite outcrops, extensive laterite, and greenstone belt structures. The geology and mineral potential of the area have drawn mining development over many decades.

Economically, mining is a principal activity in the Yilgarn region, particularly gold from the greenstone belts in and around the craton. Other mineral exploration has occurred for iron ore, nickel, and related resources, contributing to regional development and employment alongside pastoral and agricultural activities in surrounding areas.

Administrative usage of the name Yilgarn includes the Shire of Yilgarn, a local government area in Western Australia named after the region. The term is widely used in geological, mining, and geographic contexts to refer to the craton-centered region of the state.