australia s mineral exploration

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Australia's mineral exploration

PRIME

MINISTERS SCIENCE, ENGINEERING

AND INNOVATION COUNCIL

SEVENTH MEETING-28 JUNE 2001

AUSTRALIA'S MINERAL

EXPLORATION

Thispaperwas

prepared by an independent working group,supported by the Prime Ministers !cience,"ngineering and #nnovation $ouncil

%PM!"#$& !ecretariat and the 'ustralian (eological !urvey )rganisation %'(!)&

%www.agso.gov.au&.

This paper was prepared by an independent working group for PMSEIC. Its views are those

of the group, not necessarily those of the Coonwealth !overnent.


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CONTENT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...

AUSTRALIAS MINERALS INDUSTRY! NATIONALLY VITAL, GLO"ALLY

SIGNI#ICANT.......

+ation-ide enefits from Mining /

$ase !tudy 01 #rish 2uck gave 'ustralia 3ntold -ealth /

'ustralias First$lass, #nternational 4eputation 5

GOVERNMENT-INDUSTRY COLLA"ORATION! SUCCESS IN EXPLORATION...$

$ase !tudy *1 !alt ush $over $onceals Mineral 4iches 6

$ase !tudy 71 Mineral "xploration and "nvironmental Management 08

$ase !tudy 91 Pro:ect F'2$)+4educing Time, $ost and 2and #mpact 00

INNOVATION IN EXPLORATION! THE %EY TO #UTURE SUCCESS....11

$ase !tudy ;1 'ustralian #ngenuity -ins 2ucrative #nternational Pri


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CITED RE#ERENCES...2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 'ustralian minerals industry is 'ustralias largest export earner, contributing @97.> billion to'ustralias economy in the year 0666*888. #n the same year, 'ustralia was among the top three

producers of ten of the most valued minerals in the world, including gold, diamond, billion in mineral and energy exports to 'ustralias economy in 0666*888, accounting for 99.6E of 'ustralias total merchandise exports or 79.>E of total goodsand services,0

C contributed @0.6 billion %as a conservative estimate& in hightechnology exports in miningservices in 0666*888, which is more than 'ustralias current wine industry exports,0

C was among the top three producers of ten of the worlds most valued minerals in 0666 %seeTable 0&,*,7

C dwarfed all other sectors in terms of value added per workerfor example, it was more thanfour times the national average to national income or gross product in 066;6/ 9, and




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C accounted for 06E of the value of 'ustralias fixed assets and natural capital in 066>.;

1999 #1 Producer #2 Producer #3 Producer

auxiteAustralia (uinea ra


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Australian Industry Exports1980 - 2000

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

1980

/81

1981

/82

1982

/83

1983

/84

1984

/85

1985

/86

1986

/87

1987

/88

1988

/89

1989

/90

1990

/91

1991

/92

1992

/93

1993

/94

1994

/95

1995

/96

199

Fiscal year

million

#5*) 1! A*+&(&/ I/*+6 E73+ 180-2000.

#n *888, 'ustralia attracted more than 05E of the worlds total budgeted exploration expenditure%see Figure *a&. This was more than any other country, giving 'ustralia the highest explorationexpenditure allocated per sAuare kilometre %see Figure *b&.5 #t is no coincidence, therefore, that'ustralias national wealth increases at times of increased mineral exploration and mining.#5*) 2! P39)4) 5(3&( )7(3&3/ )7)/*) :3 ;) 6)& 2000 /3&(+) 6 (&/

&)& +?*&) @(3)).




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#5*) 2&! D+*3/ 3: B3( )7(3&3/ *5)+ / US= 6 )7(3&3/

43&/)+.

0

10

20

30

!0

"0

#0

Australia $anada A%rica




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5

Exploration &ud'ets 2000

Australia

17% (404!8 "#$$#'

A%rica

13% (293!1 "#$$#'

$anada15% (348 "#$$#'

()A

10% (234!5 "#$$#'

*est o% +orld

8% (196!7 "#$$#'

Paci%ic, )E Asia

9% (199!2 "#$$#'




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Nation-Wide Benefits from Mining

The minerals industry has contributed enormously to building the national infrastructure.Mining operations were the impetus for building towns and road and port facilities throughout'ustralia, and have opened up outback areas that otherwise would have remained isolated andunproductive. "ntire towns in regional and rural 'ustralia developed around mines and many,such as roken Bill, Mt #sa and Galgoorlie, are recognised as Auintessential 'ustralian towns%see $ase !tudy 0&. $ities such as +ewcastle, -ollongong and -hyalla have prosperedindirectly from mining.

!ignificant benefits flow to other ma:or 'ustralian industriessuch as transport, construction andmanufacturingbecause of the minerals industry. The early days of the =ictorian gold rushencouraged $obb and $o and 'ustralias first railway %established in 0>;9& to expand beyondMelbourne to service the allarat goldfields and the new rural populations of =ictoria. Todaytrains up to *./ kilometres in length, transport iron ore daily, across the Pilbara region in -estern'ustralia to ports for export.;

#n 0666*888, total payments to government from mining were @9.5; billion, consisting of @7.;*billion in taxes and royalties and @0.*7 billion in transport levies.>

Mining spawned some of 'ustralias ma:or companies %such as BP and -M$& and led directlyto new industries such as ore smelting and refining and steel making. #n addition, industries thatsupply mining companies have developed, and now earn export dollars in their own right %eg.mining and engineering contractor, Benry -alker "ltin&. The flowon effects from mining toother sectors of the 'ustralian economy include goods and services expenditure in excess of @0;

billion %0666&.;

C&+) S*6 1! I+; (*4@ 5&) A*+&(& */3( B)&(;

#n Hune 0>67 three #rishmen1 Paddy Bannan, Tom Flanagan and Dan !hea were travelling from$oolgardie to a prospect at Mount Ioulle, when one horse threw a shoe and they had to makecamp on the slopes of Mount $harlotte. 2ike every good prospector, Bannan kept his eyesdown and fossicked around the campsite. 's luck would have it, he picked up lumps of goldand triggered the richest gold rush in 'ustralian history at what became known as Galgoorlie.ut the real treasures were not on the slopes covered by Bannan. They were far below in therich lodes known as the (olden MileJthe richest sAuare mile of gold ore in the world.

For 'ustralia, Galgoorlie was a golden milestoneK the greatest since allarat and endigo.2ike the =ictorian discoveries, it changed the course of 'ustralian history. -ithin 08 years the

population of -estern 'ustralia Auadrupled %from less than 98 888 people&, and a waterpipeline was constructed from Mundaring -eir near Perth to Galgoorlie in one of the greatfeats of 'ustralian engineering. The continuing productivity of the goldfields made possiblethe transcontinental railway that linked 'ustralia from coast to coast.

"arly prospectors moved on. They were replaced by miners who designed or improved thebest of the worlds mining machinery to extract gold from the rich underground deposits. (oldfrom Galgoorlie helped sustain the nations fortunes through ma:or depressions in the 0>68s

and 0678s. )ver the past century, -estern 'ustralia has produced more than 58E of'ustralias gold, with more than 97 million ounces coming from the (olden MileJthe richestsingle goldfield in 'ustralian history.




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6

Australias First-Class, International Reputation

#nternationally, 'ustralias reputation in the minerals industry is unsurpassed. Many 'ustraliantechnological and scientific innovations have contributed directly to better exploration, mining,environmental and land practices.6 )ne such innovationJa collaborative effort by the miningindustry, communities and governmentJis 'ustralias est Practice "nvironmental Managementin Mining program. Through a series of booklets written by experts in their field, it promotes anintegrated approach to managing environmental issues through all phases of mineral production,operation and eventual closure?rehabilitation. This program is recognised worldwide as a

benchmark.

The world"s first #$ustralia"s %est Practice Environental Manageent in Mining

progra&' the best e(aple of cooperation between the private sector and governent

I have ever seen.

Mr )obert !oodland,

President, International $ssociation on Ipact $ssessent, *orld %ank, +-+

Public reporting on environmental and social issues is now widespread under a $ode for"nvironmental Management developed by the 'ustralian minerals industry. #t commits theindustry to

C sustainable development and integrated environmental management,C the application of riskmanagement techniAues,C setting environmental targets, rehabilitation and decommissioning, and

C reporting to governments and the community.00

GOVRNMN!-IN"#$!R% CO&&ABORA!ION' $#CC$$ IN

()&ORA!ION

/ines fored probably the ost efficient industry in $ustralia, by international

standards, but a big section of the public and any politicians cae to think that the

da00ling procession of ineral discoveries had depended ore on luck than on effort

and ingenuity.

!eoffrey %lainey,

1istorian, +2+2

"xploration is the lifeblood of mining. The industry would be unsustainable were it not for thenew deposits discovered through exploration. !uccessful exploration involves skill, innovation,commitment and perseverance. #t also involves great risk with the potential for creating greatwealth.

*MC #*estern Mining Corporation& attributes its growth entirely to successful

e(ploration which, in turn, is attributed to the successful application of geological

science.

)oy *oodal

3orer 4irector of E(ploration, *MC, +52+6




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"xploration investment reAuires a perception of prospectivity and an investment climate that isstable and financially competitiveJfeatures that 'ustralia has traditionally demonstrated. #t alsoreAuires a huge research and development effort on geoscientific concepts, and explorationmethods and technologies. 'ustralias proud record of mineral exploration success is due in nosmall part to the particularly strong collaborative research and development effort betweenindustry and government %see Figure 7&. The impact of this collaboration is highlighted by past

successes %see $ase !tudy *&. Privatesector risk taken within a knowledge frameworksupported by government is now commonly cited as Lworlds best practiceJa practice othercountries that have not realised their mineral potential are attempting to emulate.

I)*+,- S+.+/G/,"/+

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.eoscience*esearc/

01e2elopment

Exploration

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#5*) ! T;) A*+&(&/ M/)&(+ I/*+6 F 3/) 3: ;) 3+ )::4)/ &/ +*44)++:*( / ;) B3(

C&+) S*6 2! S&( *+; 43) 43/4)&(+ /)&( 4;)+

#n 065; -estern Mining $orporation %-M$& drilled an area of salt bush and native pines *88

kilometres north of 'delaide because company geologists noted an anomaly on '(!)smagnetic and gravity survey maps that fitted an exploration model they were testing. #t wasrisky because the company was drilling where there was no surface evidence for minerals. ut-M$s borehole intersected a giant lode some 788 metres below the surface. 't this depth,copper, uranium, gold and silver orebodies had formed a mineralised


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C&+) S*6 ! M/)&( E7(3&3/ &/ E/3/)/&( &/&5))/ - TEMPEST

$!#4) and -orld (eoscience $orporation %now Fugro 2td& through the $ooperative 4esearch$entre developed the recently completed airborne system, known as T"MP"!T, for 'ustralianMineral "xploration Technologies %$4$ 'M"T&. #t represents the culmination of more thansix years collaborative research and development by private and public sector scientists and

engineers. #t was developed for worldwide exploration for minerals such as gold, diamonds,nickel, copper, lead and


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07

C&+) S*6 ! P39)4 #ALCON F R)*4/5 T), C3+ &/ L&/ I&4

F'2$)+ is a recently developed mineral exploration tool that minimises environmentalimpacts usually associated with mineral exploration activities. For the first time, F'2$)+ has

enabled BP to perform highresolution gravity gradiometer surveys from the air. The radicalnew airborne exploration system is based on technology designed for use in the 3! +avysTrident submarines and developed by 2ockheedMartin. #n 'ustralia and +orth 'merica, BPhas two fully operational airborne gravity gradiometer %'((& systems in use.

Pro:ect F'2$)+ was the result of a strategic vision of a small group of BP 4esearch andMinerals Discovery employees in the early 0668s. Following a worldwide search for suitablegravity technologies, BP initiated a feasibility study into the most appropriate technology in0667. The manufacture of two operational systems commenced in 066; and the first airbornegravity mapping system entered operational service in late 0666.

BP 4esearch managed the development and construction of the airborne gravity gradiometerand the development of data processing and interpretation software. This new toolsignificantly reduces the time and cost of identifying mineral resource targets and improves theefficiency of exploration programs, providing a significant competitive edge. The benefits ofF'2$)+ for mineral exploration are provided by

C access to new terrains,C faster target identification,C better target screening, andC new regional perspective

From an environmental perspective, F'2$)+ reduces the need for ground surveys, whichmay involve constructing access tracks, and drilling or digging trenches to extract rocksamples.' deployment program developed by BP Minerals Discovery is being implemented toevaluate brownfield %expansion of an existing facility or site& and greenfield %development ofnew operations from the ground up& opportunities. Bowever, the benefits of F'2$)+ may bemore widely extended in the future, with potential applications in the discovery of oil and gas.

INNOVA!ION IN ()&ORA!A!ION' !* +% !O F#!#R

$#CC$$

'n important spin off of 'ustralian mineral exploration research and development has been thegrowth of exports of exploration and mining services. Through the development of remotesensing exploration technologies like T"MP"!T and F'2$)+, and, before them, variousspaceborne and other airborne platforms, 'ustralia has been at the forefront of imaging, 7Dmodelling and interactive geology software development. These developments have extended tomine planning and production and today 'ustralia supplies between /8E and 58E of all themining software used worldwide.

)ne of the leading 'ustralian companies in 7Dmodelling and interactive geology is -estern'ustralian based Fractal (raphics. #ts innovations are applied internationally and it is nowrecognised as a world leader %see $ase !tudy ;&




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09

To maximise 'ustralias influence in the global mining services industry, more than 088companies have formed 'ustminea collective dedicated to the promotion of 'ustralia as asource of innovative technologies, eAuipment, products and services for the mining industrythroughout the world. 'ustmine had combined exports exceeding @0.; billion in 0666*888.**

To improve competitiveness, 'ustralia needs to continue investing in innovation in exploration

by developing

C new dataacAuisition tools that allow geoscientists to probe further under the "arths surface,C better analytical methods to interpret both existing and new geoscience data, andC new exploration models that overcome the predictive weaknesses of current models.

-ith the strength and support of governmentindustry collaboration, 'ustralia is well positionedto enter a new stage of successful exploration.

C&+) S*6 ! A*+&(&/ /5)/*6 B/+ (*4&) /)/&3/&( )

"arly in *880, (old$orp offered 3!@;88 888 pri


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$!CN!#R% C*A&&NG' MAIN!AINING !* "G

niversity, 6+?

The global demand for minerals will continue to increase. 'ustralia is well situated to encouragethe ongoing growth of the minerals industryJprovided it remains a competitive location forresearch, exploration, discoveries and mining development.05

'ustralia is a leading mineral resource nation. #t has the worlds largest economic demonstratedresources of lead, mineral sands, nickel, silver, tantalum, uranium and


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mineral exploration are much greater. "xperience shows that private exploration increases whennew government maps and data sets are released.06

Re0ommendation

That 'ustralia continues to provide highAuality, precompetitive geoscience data to encourageexploration investment. This reAuires that the continent be mapped with new technologies, suchas F'2$)+, so scientists can Lsee further into the "arth to locate new regions with potential orlarge mineral deposits. !uch techniAues will be faster, nonor less invasive, and more efficientthan previous mapping efforts. Precompetitive data compiled by '(!) and the state?territorygeological surveys will ensure that 'ustralia remains competitive in the global minerals industry.

Maintaining t.e Intelle0tual dge

$ustralia"s inerals education syste, in its current for, is fragile / due to an acute

shortage of talented acadeic staff, under7resourcing of inerals departents, low

industry intake of new graduates%ack fro the %rink' )eshaping Minerals Tertiary Education

Minerals Council of $ustralia, +56

#n 069/ the $ommonwealth (overnment established the 'ustralian (eological !urvey)rganisation %formerly the ureau of Mineral 4esources, (eology and (eophysics& to assist inthe national development of resource industries. #t was recognised that a comprehensiveunderstanding of 'ustralias geological framework was essential if there was to be a meaningfulassessment of 'ustralias mineral potential. #n con:unction with the state and territory surveys, aseries of geological and geophysical maps were developed as a basis for future exploration andassessment. This contribution has had a ma:or impact on the development of the 'ustralianminerals industry.0;

Today, $!#4), '(!), !tate?Territory surveys, $ooperative 4esearch $entres and universitiesare 'ustralias main agencies for minerals research and development and innovative explorationtechnology. (eology, geophysics, geochemistry, information technology and engineering aresome of the disciplines now reAuired to identify and delineate 'ustralias mineral resources.'lthough 'ustralia is at the forefront of mining software and minesite technology, there arema:or challenges and opportunities in areas of exploration technology and geoscience concepts.

These must be broached if 'ustralia is to achieve world leadership and remain internationallycompetitive in these fields.

Re0ommendation

That 'ustralias research efforts be structured to provide better resourced and integrated minerals4 N D centres, so that they can provide the next generation of exploration techniAues needed tostrengthen and support the 'ustralian minerals industry. 's well, as outlined by the Minerals$ouncil of 'ustralias +ational Tertiary "ducation Taskforce report, further select mineralresearch schools be established so 'ustralia can compete with the 3!', 3G and "uropean eliteschools in these disciplines.




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C.anging $o0ial Values and 1pe0tations

-ith the spread of globalisation and the need for sustainable development, communitiesincreasingly are identifying social and environmental issues that need to be addressed. For thisreason, mining companies are attaching greater importance to their environmental and socialresponsibilities before committing to new developments.

Ma:or mining companies throughout the world have committed themselves to the (lobal Mining#nitiative %(M#& to provide leadership in the areas of economic, social and environmental

performance. They see this as fundamental to the future of the minerals industry. They realisethat by contributing to sustainable development and performance, they can build communitytrust and promote a better understanding of the positive role of the mining and minerals industryin society.*0

There is also an increased emphasis on the minimisation of waste in mining and mineralprocessing. Through lifecycle assessment, there is the potential to distinguish materials,processes and possibly resource producers that are environmentally superior. Minimisinggreenhouse emissions and an increased emphasis on recycling are also growing in importance.

The 'ustralian minerals industry has to address issues related to land rights and land access,endangered species, and the social impacts of exploration and mining. The development of newexploration methods and technologies is particularly relevant to the issues of land access andland use for exploration. 4emote sensing techniAues such as the airborne F'2$)+ andT"MP"!T systems reAuire minimal, if any, immediate land access. Direct access to land is onlyreAuired for areas identified for intensive exploration and, ultimately, mining if discoveries proveeconomic. Future economic mineral deposits in 'ustralia are likely to be at depth, reAuiring

underground mining with relatively limited impacts on the surface environment and ecosystems.

Re0ommendation 2

That land access, a ma:or concern to the exploration industry in 'ustralia, is addressed by acollaborative effort between government and industry. #nnovation in both explorationtechnology and mining practices continuously addresses environmental, heritage and indigenousissues. Therefore, a positive approach to landaccess issues involving industry and localcommunities needs to be encouraged by government.

Opportunities for Australia

The 'ustralian minerals industry operates in a global marketplace. This extends from thecommodities produced, the technical services used and the research conducted in support of thesector, through to the educational facilities provided for the sector and the skilled professionals

produced in those establishments. 'ustralia is currently a ma:or player in the global industry andhas the opportunity to play an even larger role.

The future market for mineral commodities will be immense as developing nations movetowards a higher material standard of living. This drive will create opportunities not only forminerals, but also for the discovery, delineation and development of new ore deposits. 'ustralia

has the breadth of resource production and a good foundation for expanding its high technology,research and education services to the point where it could become the world leader in thissector. ut to capitalise on current strengths, 'ustralia needs to foster hightechnology




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exploration and the governmentindustry collaboration that made it a significant player in globalterms.

(lobal market changes influence economic outlook, which in turn drives exploration investment.The economic contribution of exploration is freAuently overlooked. Iet the discovery of aneconomically viable mineral deposit provides the industrys largest valueadded component.

"xperience has shown that :unior exploration and service companies are an essential element inthe high riskhigh reward area of mineral exploration investment. Furthermore, the location ofthe exploration headAuarters of ma:or mining companies is important in determining where theydirect their investment in research and development, and their choice of service companies.

Re0ommendation 3

That Federal government provides an environment, which facilitates exploration investment by:unior companies and encourages larger companies to base their global investment explorationoperations in 'ustralia.




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06

CONC$ION$

$ustralia is well positioned to continue to prosper, provided it reains a copetitivelocation for #e(ploration& investent and developent.

arry $usack, Managing Director4io Tinto, *880*9

'ustralia was the topranking country in the world for exploration budgets in *888. ut in thesame year, exploration in 'ustralia showed the largest decline of any country or region. 5

+evertheless, 'ustralia is considered to be highly prospective for new ma:or mineral discoveries.#t has a history of stable government and a history of uniAue collaboration between governmentand industry in mineral exploration.

's the world enters a new era of exploration, where targets are concealed beneath the surface,there is a need for new understanding, new technologies and highly trained specialists todiscover the mineral deposits that the world reAuires. The concepts, technologies and peopleinvolved will need to make ma:or contributions to the management of mans impact on thenatural environment.

There are challenges for 'ustralia if it wishes to build on its existing strengths in the explorationindustry and become the global leader in that sector. Bowever, with a competitive businessenvironment, government support for a new phase of regional surveys to stimulate private sectorinvestment, and continuing efforts to develop worldclass research and tertiary educationestablishments, 'ustralia can become the global centre for mineral exploration industry within

this decade.




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A))N"I(

Appendi1 A' Australian Mineral 1ploration Resear0. and

"e4elopment' W.os W.o

Australian #ni4ersities

!chools and Departments of "arth !ciences throughout 'ustralian universities are researchingvarious processes and applications of geoscience. ecause research provides the basis forunderstanding and locating mineral deposits, both industry and government have investedheavily in 'ustralian academic institutes. 's a result of this investment many centres ofgeoscience involving universities, industry and $ooperative 4esearch $entres have developed.They specialise in fields such as the study of ore deposits, geodynamics and geochemicalevolution. !ome of these collaborative centres of academic excellence and research are

C CODES%$entre for )re Deposit and "xploration !tudies, 3niversity of Tasmania&.#ndustrygovernment participation includes1 '4$, 'M#4', BPilliton, M#M, -M$,(oldfields "xploration, +ewcrest, Bomestake, 'nglo'merican, -estern Metals andPasminco.

C EGRU%"conomic (eology 4esearch 3nit, Hames $ook 3niversity&. (overnment#ndustryparticipation includes1 the $4$ for Predictive Mineral Discovery, Oueensland 2andDepartment, Oueensland Department of 4esources and #ndustries, "!!) 'ustralia, M#M,BPilliton, "Auigold, Pasminco, 4io Tinto and -M$!

C GEMOC%(eochemical "volution and Metallogeny of $ontinents, MacAuarie 3niversity&.#ndustrygovernment participation includes1 '(!), $!#4) Division of "xploration andMining, -M$, BPilliton, (eoDiscovery, 4io Tinto, Gennecott $anada, Pasminco,Phelps Dodge, '+3, 3niversity of +ew "ngland, Oueensland 3niversity of Technology,3niversity of +ewcastle, 3niversity of +ew !outh -ales, Bewlett Packard, +ew -ave4esearch, 'M#4'.

C CGM%$entre for (lobal Metallogeny, 3niversity of -estern 'ustralia&. (overnment#ndustry participation includes1 '4$, 'M#4', Mining and "nergy 4esearch #nstitute of




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-estern 'ustralia %M"4#-'&, Department of $ommerce and Trade -estern 'ustralian(overnment: 'nglo(old, BPilliton, Datamine 'ustralia, "arth 4esource Mapping,(oldfields "xploration, Bomestake, 2ion)re 'ustralia, Maptek, +ormandy, Perilya, PlacerDome, !ons of (walia, and-M$.

#t is estimated that the total university 4 N D expenditure %including both government and

industry contributions& relating to mineral exploration in 0666*888 was @78 million.

Australian Geologi0al $ur4e/ Organisation 5AG$O6

'(!) is 'ustralias national geoscience research and information organisation. #t is aprescribed agency within the Department of #ndustry, !cience and 4esources portfolio. Throughthe application of firstclass geoscientific research, '(!) provides information %fromcontinental to regional scale& that benefits 'ustralias onshore and offshore explorationinvestment opportunities, improves resource management, and contributes to community safety.

y adapting and applying modern technology, '(!) provides precompetitive data and analysis

of 'ustralias geology and resources. The geoscientific data gathered and enhanced by '(!) ismaintained in national databases. This information provides insights into 'ustralias geologicalframework and is used to promote 'ustralias attractiveness globally to exploration companies.'(!)s appropriation for 0666*888 was @/*.0m, of which @05.0m was spent on mineralsrelated work.

$tate7!erritor/ Geologi0al $ur4e/s

"ach state in 'ustralia and the +orthern Territory has a geological survey that is an agencywithin the mines department. #n terms of the mineral resources sector, the main function of thedepartment is to promote, manage and support the sustainable development of the minerals

industry in the best interests of the particular state or the +orthern Territory.

The geological survey collects and disseminates geological data and information %mainlygeological, geophysical, geochemical and resource information& that will assist exploration anddevelopment activities of the mining industry. Data from the state and +orthern Territorygovernments encourages private sector exploration by reducing exploration risk and therebycontributing to a more efficient and effective exploration process.

The state?territory surveys are

C Mineral 4esources Tasmania %Department of #nfrastructure, "nergy and 4esources&

C (eological !urvey of =ictoria %Department of +atural 4esources and "nvironment&C (eological !urvey of +ew !outh -ales %Department of Mineral 4esources&C (eological !urvey of Oueensland %Department of +atural 4esources and Mines&C +orthern Territory (eological !urvey %Department of Mines and "nergy&C (eological !urvey of -estern 'ustralia %Department of Minerals and "nergy&C (eological !urvey of !outh 'ustralia %Primary #ndustries and 4esources !outh 'ustralia&

#n 0666?*888 the states?+orthern Territory collectively spent @;5.;million on mineralexploration related activities.

'(!) and the state?+orthern Territory geological surveys coordinate their research through the

+ational (eoscience 'greement, which defines the complementary roles of the $ommonwealthand the states?+orthern Territory in stimulating exploration interest and investment in 'ustralia.




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**

'(!)s contribution is to provide key specialist geoscience activities such as geophysics,regolith, geochronology, national information management standards and national data sets.

The geological, geophysical and geochemical data and information developed by '(!) and thestate?+orthern Territory geological surveys has underpinned many ma:or mineral discoveries,including

C Gambalda area, -estern 'ustraliaJseveral nickel mines,C )lympic Dam, !outh 'ustraliaJcopperuraniumgoldsilver mine,C $entury, OueenslandJ


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*7

substantial Auality and si


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*9

models and build 7D and 9D images of mineralising systems using the latest developments inairborne geophysics, seismic imaging, geoscience and isotope systematics. The core

participants are $!#4) Division of "xploration and Mining, '(!), 'M#4', the =ictorian#nstitute of "arth and Planetary !ciences, Hames $ook 3niversity %Department of "arth!ciences& and the 3niversity of -estern 'ustralia %Department of "arth !ciences&.

#n 0666*888 (overnment funding of mineralexploration funded $4$s totalled some @/.5million.

Australian Minerals Industr/ Resear0. Asso0iation 5AMIRA6

'M#4' is an industry association that manages collaborative research for its members from theglobal minerals industry. y taking a partnership approach to research and development, which'M#4' manages, its members enhance their competitive position through access to leadingedge technology.

ased in Melbourne, 'M#4' represents more than >8 companies from 'ustralia, 'sia, "urope,

+orth 'frica and !outh 'merica. #t encourages local research institutions in several countries tocollaborate in the global minerals industry.

'M#4' operates by developing and managing :ointly funded research pro:ects on a feeforservice basis on behalf of its members. #t currently manages ;> pro:ects attracting approximately@98 million of industry funding. )f this amount some @08.> million is directed annually towardsmineral exploration research.

Minerals Industr/

's well as funding mineral exploration research and development through 'M#4', individual

minerals companies may undertake significant amounts of inhouse research and development,particularly when the benefits of this effort can be captured internally to give the company acompetitive edge.

!ometimes a return on inhouse 4 N D investment is realised through the commercialisation ofdiscoveries, and one of the most significant recent examples is the F'2$)+ airborne gravitygradiometer system developed by BP %see $ase !tudy 9&.




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*;

CI!" RFRNC$

0 ''4". *888. 'ustralian $ommodity !tatistics *888. $anberra1 'ustralian ureau of'gricultural and 4esource "conomicsK 9, 09>.

* '(!). *888. 'ustralias identified mineral resources. $anberra1 'ustralian (eological!urvey )rganisation.

7 3nited !tates (eological !urvey. *880. Mineral commodity summaries. -ashington D$13nited !tates Department of the #nterior.

9 $entre for #nternational "conomics. 0665. =alue adding in the minerals sector. $anberra1Minerals $ouncil of 'ustralia.

; !toeckel '. 0666. Minerals1 )ur wealth Down 3nder. $anberra1 $entre for #nternational"conomicsK i, 00, 95, 7*.

/ Gunte ', Bamilton G, Dixon H and $lemens M. 066>. "stimating national wealth1Methodology and results. -ashington D$1 -orld ank, "nvironment Department,

environmental economics series paper ;5.

5 Metals "xploration (roup. *888. "xploration decline slowing down. The MiningHournalK +ov 08K 75*.

> Pricewaterhouse $oopers. *888. Minerals industry survey report. $anberra1 Minerals$ouncil of 'ustraliaK *9.

6 !oker M, pub. 066;. Tomorrows world1 The 'ustralian initiative. !ydney1 'ssociatedPublishing $orporationK 0/80>0, 0>9, 067.

08 (oodland 4. 066;. !peech given at the 0;th'nnual Meeting of the #nternational'ssociation for #mpact 'ssessment, Durban, !outh 'frica, Hun */78.




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*/

00 Minerals $ouncil of 'ustralia. 066/. $ode for "nvironmental Management. $anberra1M$'.

0* -oodall 4. 06>6. The keys to successful corporate mineral exploration. !outh 'fricanHournal of (eologyK 6*%*&109>.

07

lainey (. 0667. The rush that never ended. $arlton1 Melbourne 3niversity Press.09 -oods 'H. 06>>. 4eview of the ureau of Mineral 4esources, (eology and (eophysics1'ppendix 0Ja report to the Minister for 4esources. $anberra1 'ustralian (overnment Printing!ervice.

0; -illiams + and Buleatt M. 066/. The importance of regional geological mapping inminerals exploration. )utlook 6/1 Minerals and energyK 71;0;6.

0/ !kinner H. *888. Perspectives for mineral exploration in the *0stcentury. Geynotepresentation to the 70st#nternational (eological $ongress, 4io de Haneiro, 'ug 5.

05 2ambert #. *880. !ustainable development1 !trategic issues for 'ustralias mineralssector. 'us#MM ulletinK in press.

0> $!#4). 0666. !eeing right through 'ustralia. Media release 0666?0;6, Hul *0 %Mineral"xploration and Mining at www.csiro.gov.au&.

06 Day 4-. 066;. (eomap *88; program1 The key to unlocking Oueenslands mineralwealth. Oueensland (overnment Mining Hournal, !epK *870.

*8 +ational Tertiary "ducation Taskforce. 066>. ack from the brink1 4eshaping mineralstertiary education. $anberra1 Minerals $ouncil of 'ustralia, discussion paper.

*0 Mc+eilly 4H. *888. The (lobal Mining #nitiative1 $hanging expectationsJmeetinghuman needs and aspirations. !peech to the *888 Minerals #ndustry !eminar, Minerals $ouncilof 'ustralia, Hun 5.

** roome 'H. *880. #n1 3nearthing the Future. "xporting 'ustralian Mineral #nnovation tothe -orld. Minerals $ouncil of 'ustralian, 'nnual !eminar, $anberra, Hune *880.

*7 'lston !enator 4. *880. 'ustralian company wins international #T competition. Mediarelease, 'pr /.

*9

)utlook *880. "xport records, consolidation and competition. Media release, Feb *>%www.abareeconomics.com?conferences?ol*880?mediarel?mrQ*8.BTM&.

*; Towards *88;1 ' prospectus for research and research training in the 'ustralian "arth!ciences, 066*. '4$, $anberra, pps ; and ;6


http://www.abareeconomics.com/conferences/ol2001/mediarel/mr_20.HTM)http://www.abareeconomics.com/conferences/ol2001/mediarel/mr_20.HTM)


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