Minerals Alert September 2006

• 1. Prime Minister announces new offshore and onshore exploration initiatives
• 2. Offshore Minerals Map released
• 3. Nickel sulphide deposits in Australia - a comprehensive synthesis
• 4. Update on geophysical data releases
• 5. Update on geophysical survey data acquisition
• 6. New geophysical surveys
• 7. About Email Alert

1. Prime Minister announces new offshore and onshore exploration initiatives

On 14 August 2006, in a statement to Parliament, the Prime Minister announced a number of new energy-related measures including "Support for Offshore and Onshore Exploration". Included in this measure was $58.9 million to be provided to Geoscience Australia for it to pioneer innovative, integrated geoscientific research to better understand the geological potential of onshore Australia for both minerals and petroleum. The research will apply the latest developments in geophysical imaging and mapping technologies, including seismic, airborne electromagnetics and radiometrics. These will assist in defining the potential for new mineral energy sources and also highlight the potential for geothermal energy from high heat-producing terrains under blankets of sedimentary cover. The seismic data will also assist in identifying potential opportunities for exploration of onshore petroleum. Initiatives in relation to offshore exploration were also announced.

For full details of the new funding for Geoscience Australia, and the Prime Minister’s speech, see Government invests in future energy security.

For further information, please email James Johnson, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9236.

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2. Offshore Minerals Map released

The first map of seabed mineral occurrences and deposits in Australian waters was released in August 2006. The Offshore Mineral Locations map sheds light on the mineral prospectivity in this exciting, but poorly known, frontier. It should serve also to ensure mineral values are considered in marine planning and decision making. The map is the result of a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia, CSIRO's Wealth from Oceans National Research Flagship and Division of Exploration and Mining, and each of the State and Northern Territory Geological Surveys.

The map can be downloaded as a PDF on Geoscience Australia's website and a 1:10 000 000 map is available from the Geoscience Australia Sales Centre on Freecall 1800 800 173 (within Australia) or +61 2 6249 9966.

For further information, please email Bill McKay, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9003.

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3. Nickel sulphide deposits in Australia - a comprehensive synthesis

The nickel industry in Australia is currently experiencing a "boom" with metal prices spiralling to record levels (at least US$34 750/tonne), low global stockpiles, and exploration expenditures and activities at all-time highs. A major review paper providing a comprehensive synthesis and up-to-date summary of the diverse settings of nickel sulphide deposits in Australia has been published online by Ore Geology Reviews. The paper "Nickel sulfide deposits in Australia: characteristics, resources, and potential", by Dean Hoatson, Subhash Jaireth, and Lynton Jaques, identifies local and regional features which distinguish fertile- from barren-magmatic (komatiitic and tholeiitic) systems. The paper's strong economic focus will also enhance its impact on both national and international audiences.

The paper will appear in Ore Geology Reviews, volume 29, Nos 3-4, October 2006, and can be viewed via ScienceDirect.

For further information, please email Dean Hoatson,or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9593.

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4. Update on geophysical data releases

Datasets from five new geophysical surveys were released in August 2006. The final datasets can be downloaded from the Geoscience Australia Geophysical Archive Data Delivery System (GADDS) facility at no charge.

Gravity surveys

Airborne geophysical surveys

For further information, please email Murray Richardson, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9229.

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5. Update on geophysical survey data acquisition

Geoscience Australia has received raw and processed data from the Paterson Central and Paterson South-East surveys, and the Bowen-Surat South and Isa West Surveys for QA/QC testing.

The status of current surveys is:

For further information, please email Murray Richardson, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9229.

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6. New geophysical surveys

Geoscience Australia will be managing a new data acquisition program in Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmania.

For further information, please email Murray Richardson, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9229.

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7. About Email Alert

For more information, please email Mike Huleatt, or phone +61 (0)2 6249 9087.

To view past editions of Geoscience Australia's Minerals Alert, visit the Minerals Alert Newsletter Archive.

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