PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The A$225-million Exploring for the Future programme is expected to provide an unprecedented snapshot of the mineral, energy and groundwater potential of south-eastern Australia, Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said.

Geoscience Australia recently conducted a large airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey across parts of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia under the programme.

“The survey mapped geology to a depth of 300 m beneath the Earth’s surface by measuring its capacity to conduct electricity - similar to running a metal detector across a beach,” Pitt said.

“This data will give an indication of whether groundwater, minerals or energy resources are present across more than 600 000 km² of south-eastern Australia, from Peterborough to Wilcannia, and from Tibooburra to Warrnambool.”

This is the first major dataset to be released from the Exploring for the Future programme’s work in southern Australia. From 2016 to 2020, the programme mapped more than three-million square kilometres of northern Australia.

“Geoscience Australia will now analyse results of the survey but industry, with the expertise to interpret the published data, can start using it now to find new opportunities for exploration,” Pitt said.

“The Exploring for the Future programme is putting rich and valuable data in the hands of industry to help them plan their future exploration programmes and make investment decisions.

“The programme is collecting geological data across southern Australia to uncover exciting new mineral deposits to supply Australia’s future critical mineral resources needs, as well as find new sources of groundwater to support agricultural and pastoral communities.

“AEM surveys have played a critical role in building a picture of the resource potential of northern Australia. 

“Three years ago, the East Tennant to Mt Isa region was open ground. Today there are more than 30 companies investigating the area, with over 160 000 km² of new tenements staked out.

“The delivery of these datasets is a key step on the road to creating long-term jobs in our resources industry."