Geoscience Australia has identified new exploration opportunities for critical minerals, copper and gold beneath a largely under-explored region spanning South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
The findings come from the Delamerian project, the first deep-dive study delivered under the Australian Government’s 35-year Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative.
The project has confirmed a 1000km continental-scale arc system buried beneath the region’s sedimentary cover, providing new insights into the geology and potential for mineralisation at depth.
The study has also strengthened understanding of groundwater resources supporting communities, industry and the environment, providing an improved evidence base for water planning and resource management.
Geoscience Australia chief of minerals, energy and groundwater division Dr Andrew Heap said the project demonstrated the value of long-term investment in precompetitive geoscience.
“This work gives us a clearer picture of the complex geological region that lies beneath the surface, and delivers the trusted data and insights needed to support future mineral exploration, groundwater planning and national priorities such as the transition to net zero,” Heap said.
The Delamerian project combined drilling, seismic surveys, geochemical analysis and groundwater investigations to build a more detailed picture of the subsurface. It included more than 5km of drilling, millions of geochemical data points and tens of thousands of kilometres of aerial and ground surveys.
“In the Delamerian region, groundwater commonly occurs in the sedimentary cover closer to the surface, while prospective geology for critical minerals, copper and gold lies much deeper,” Heap said.
“Investigating both, as part of the one study, has given us a more complete picture of the subsurface.”
The project was completed in collaboration with organisations including the Geological Survey of New South Wales, Geological Survey of South Australia, Geological Survey of Victoria and MinEx CRC.
Geoscience Australia said the findings would support national priorities including the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030, which aims to transform Australia into a globally significant producer and processor of raw and processed critical minerals by 2030.
The Delamerian study is also intended to inform future deep-dive projects, including work underway in the Georgetown-Julia Creek and Birrindudu regions.