Uncovering new mineral provinces and new mineral systems towards mineral discoveries in South Australia

Transcription

1 Uncovering new mineral provinces and new mineral systems towards mineral discoveries in South Australia Dr Steve Hill Director Geological Survey of South Australia PACE FRONTIERS

2 Welcome to South Australia Australia s Economic Resources

3 UNCOVERING a major challenge The minerals search space across 80% of South Australia Moon Plain, Stuart Shelf, SA (Photo S.Hill)

4 From impediment comes opportunity Mt Cu-eq A Discovery Gap to be filled South Australia USA 51 Chile Peru Source: MinEx Consulting March 2012

5 Collaboration is key! PACE (Program of ACcelerated Exploration) Industry collaboration Best researchers and associated geoscience and technology (e.g. Universities, CSIRO, DET CRC, Service Providers) National partnerships (e.g. Australia Minerals, Geoscience Australia, NSWGS, NT) International partnerships (e.g. Sernageomin (Chile), Saskatchewan GS, China GS, China National Nuclear Corporation)

6 3 scales of early opportunities for YOU.. Mineral exploration is largely a scale reduction exercise: 1. Discovering new Mineral Provinces 2. Discovering new Mineral Systems 3. Discovering new Mineral Deposits We will now look at these in reverse order, starting with Mineral Deposits

7 1. Discovering new Mineral Deposits in South Australia: Olympic Domain Mineral Province OLYMPIC DOMAIN CURNAMONA PROVINCE Highly Prospective IOCG Mineral Province (Copper, Uranium, Gold, Iron ) Emerging links with Curnamona Province to the east Adelaide Blue: Gawler Range Volcanics Red: 1590 Ma (Hiltaba) granites

8 Getting good at finding Mineral System Targets e.g.ne Olympic Domain Mineral Province Gravity esp. when combined with reprocessed magnetic data ~$2M PACE funded 34,541 new gravity stations at 1x1 km and 2x2 km spacing Included in Dept of Defence s Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA) Modelling IOCG Prospectivity Subsequent industry infill stations and exploration drilling

9 Olympic Domain IOCG Mineral Systems details (GSSA / DET CRC) Lithogeochemistry >100 DHs HyLogger scanned 100s of DHs (including recent OD!) 1000s of petrophysical measurements Data integrated into 3D models Published GSSA / DET CRC workflow for mapping IOCG mineral system alteration

10 Mineral System Map for enlarged target / vectoring Increase the size of the target Predict where you are within the mineral system IOCG deposits - large alteration systems 10

11 2. Discovering new Mineral Systems in South Australia Uno Province (southern GRV margins northern Eyre Peninsula) 1590 Ma IOCG and associated crustal section into other mineral systems? TRANSFORMATIONAL, WORLD-FIRST Mineral System Drilling collaboration with DET CRC and Industry New Technology pull through Innovative mapping undercover approach Real time data delivery

12 A 1590 Ma crustal section for South Australia?

13 Lab-at-Rig TM Autonomous Sonde Coiled Tubing Drill Rig

14 Mineral Systems Drilling Program Gawler Range Volcanics cover Southern GRV margins Kingston Resources Minotaur Exploration Paris Menninnie Dam Uno PORT AUGUSTA WUDINNA KIMBA WHYALLA Drilling commences May 2015 From $2 M PACE fund into > $5 M program! Iron Duke PORT LINCOLN

15 3. Discovering a new Mineral Province in South Australia South Australia s far west What is beneath the Nullarbor Plain? Photo: Steve Hill

16 Finding a new mineral province in Western Gawler Craton / Coompana (TMI backdrop) Deep crustal seismic line (GA, AusScope GSWA, GSSA) SA s largest airborne magnetics / radiometrics survey 249,000 km survey data Tender awarded to GPX Surveyss Regional Magnetotellurics 50 km AusLAMP grid Regional Plant Biogeochemistry Colin Dunn & Helen Waldron Coompana Fowler Domain Gawler Ranges

17 Sirius Nova Bollinger, Western Australia Transition Metals / Impala Platinum Sunday Lake, Ontario

18 Sneak Peak Eucla biogeochemistry RB released and MESA J article coming soon! Trans Australia Railway

19 More to come, stay tuned. $32 M State Drill Core Library - Tonsley

20 Thank-you Further discussion at the booth Website (including SARIG) SAREIC (South Australian Resources Exploration and Investment Conference) April 13-15, Adelaide Convention Centre

21 Disclaimer The information contained in this presentation has been compiled by the Department of State Development and originates from a variety of sources. Although all reasonable care has been taken in the preparation and compilation of the information, it has been provided in good faith for general information only and does not purport to be professional advice. No warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness, correctness, accuracy, reliability or currency of the materials. The Department of State Development and the Crown in the right of the State of South Australia does not accept responsibility for and will not be held liable to any recipient of the information for any loss or damage however caused (including negligence) which may be directly or indirectly suffered as a consequence of use of these materials. The Department of State Development reserves the right to update, amend or supplement the information from time to time at its discretion.