Potential copper “hot-spots” in an area on the Queensland-NT border are revealed in new data released by the federal government on Thursday.
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Senator Matt Canavan said these locations were contained in the latest Northern Australian Geochemical Survey (NAGS) data.
“These NAGS data will underpin mineral, agriculture, and environmental resource management between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa,” Senator Canavan said.
“Tennant Creek and Mount Isa are the pre-eminent mineral resource hubs for the Northern Territory and Queensland. The region between them is a vast prospective exploration frontier that has been largely unexplored.”
Senator Canavan said surface soil samples were collected at 776 sites and analysed for metal content and the data revealed new potential for elements such as copper, zinc and nickel.
“Potential ‘hot spots’ with elevated levels of copper have been discovered,” he said. “Copper is one of the world’s most valuable and sought-after commodities, used in building and construction, but also in devices that benefit our everyday lives, such as electric car batteries, solar panels and mobile phones.”
Senator Canavan said the result built on the great work already being done in this region, including the recent release of new seismic data and solid geology maps from the South Nicholson Basin, which showed the basin is three times larger than previously thought, and also the release of regional gravity data, all of which improve our knowledge of the area’s potential energy, mineral and groundwater resources.
“Taken together, this is very exciting news for the Australian minerals sector.” he said.
He said the new geochemical data provided target areas where deposits might exist below the surface.
“These new data are vital to stimulating more exploration activity across Northern Australia, and these first ‘clues’ as to where resources might be located help to ensure responsible development of the north,” he said.
“The data are also valuable for agricultural management and environmental monitoring. For example, farmers can use the data and maps to assess soil fertility and inform sustainable crop production and cattle grazing management over areas such as the Barkly Tableland region of the Northern Territory and Queensland.”
Minister Canavan said, while the data reveal great potential, it was too soon to speculate on the exact nature or extent of the resources in the region.
“Additional data from this region, including from an airborne electromagnetic survey, will be released later this year, followed by a targeted stratigraphic drilling program in late 2019, to increase understanding of the area’s resource potential.”
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
