New survey data to boost exploration

Data from two new geophysical surveys will help stimulate mineral and energy...

  Data from two new geophysical surveys will help stimulate mineral and energy exploration activity across Queensland and ultimately lead to more jobs in the industry, according to Queensland Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson.The Department of Mines and Energy has conducted a Croydon airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over an area of 35,000sqkm near Normanton in North West Queensland.Mr Wilson said the survey was within the North West Queensland Mineral Province, which was well known for its current mining operations and promise of undiscovered mineral potential."The new data will assist mineral and energy explorers with better targeting of prospects that could lead to potential new mines and gas fields," Mr Wilson said.Mr Wilson said the other survey data released was the Cooper Basin South gravity survey, covering an area of 146,000sqkm surrounding Jackson in South West Queensland."This survey was designed predominantly to encourage energy-related exploration within the Cooper Basin, which is renowned for its petroleum and gas resources and is considered to have a high potential for the delivery of geothermal energy resources," Mr Wilson said.The Cooper Basin South survey is the first gravity survey to be released under the Queensland Department of Mines and Energy’s new Smart Mining – Future Prosperity program."Explorers can use data from these surveys with other information such as seismic data, geological maps, and drill hole information to better target prospective mineral and energy areas," Mr Wilson said.