New mapping program to boost exploration investment

A new program of geological mapping in the Tibooburra Milparinka region in the far northwest of NSW will begin early next month, the Deputy Director-General of the Department of Primary Industries – Minerals, Alan Coutts announced today.

“The principal aim of this new mapping is to boost exploration by providing new geoscientific information for these underexplored parts of the region,” said Mr Coutts.

“This work is part of the Government’s Exploration NSW initiative, which is in its fifth year and involves $30 million funding over 7 years, aimed at advancing mineral exploration opportunities.

“Under the Exploration NSW program a team of five geologists will undertake geological mapping in the Tibooburra region over the next 18 months,” said Mr Coutts.

The team will use recently acquired Exploration NSW airborne geophysical data to immensely improve our geological and natural resources understanding of this region.

Assistant Director of DPI’s Geological Survey, Lindsay Gilligan, says the new mapping team will provide fresh insights on how the rocks were formed and on the timing of gold mineralisation in the Tibooburra Milparinka area.

“Over the past 12 months there has been considerable interest by explorers in the far north west of the State. The new mapping will lead to a better understanding of the geology and its mineral potential to attract further exploration investment to this region,” Mr Gilligan said.

“Some of the rocks in this region are considered to be the northern extension of those which host major mineral deposits in western Victoria and Tasmania,” he said.

In addition, this area also hosts a poorly understood package of rocks, which extend into NSW from SW Queensland.

“In the late 1890’s and early 1900’s coarse gold was found at the surface, which was responsible for gold rushes at the time. The region is a highly prospective mineral area, which has a history of gold production and the potential to host other deposits such as nickel and possibly zinc and copper,” said Mr Gilligan.

Results from recent Exploration NSW airborne geophysical data have also increased the potential for diamond exploration. Exploration in this region has been hampered by poor outcrop and the variable thickness of cover resulting in a reduced understanding of the geology.

“Good quality geophysical data in the 1990s revealed the geology of the area is quite complex and requires detailed on ground mapping by a team of highly skilled and experienced geoscientists,” said Mr Gilligan.