New maps will help resource explorers and landholders

Exploration companies and landholders will benefit from aerial surveys recently completed in the Thomson and Galilee areas of southern and central Queensland.

Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said data from the surveys would provide new information about mineral and energy resources and assist in local land and vegetation management.

“The Geological Survey of Queensland recently completed three aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys in the Thomson and Galilee Basin areas,” Mr Cripps said.

“They collected more than 460,000 line kilometres of data covering an area of more than 165,000 square kilometres.

“This survey data will provide a useful resource tool for the exploration sector and help landholders improve the land and vegetation management activities.

“For explorers, the data will help identify potential new mineral and energy resources that will stimulate further exploration investment in Queensland’s greenfield and frontier terrains.

“For example, surveys of the Thomson geological belt in south western Queensland examined areas considered prospective for several types of mineral resources, including copper and gold deposits. 

“The Galilee survey will also be a valuable guide to future energy resource exploration, including the search for new coal, coal seam gas and geothermal resources.”

Mr Cripps said the surveys would also help landholders better manage their properties.

“These maps will be a useful resource for soil mapping, vegetation management and better land use stewardship,” he said. 

Mr Cripps said the three surveys were conducted through the Queensland Government’s $18 million Greenfields 2020 Program.

“This initiative is designed to boost the mining sector and jobs by revitalising exploration in more mature provinces and stimulating new exploration in under-explored areas,” he said. 

“Completion of the Thomson and Galilee surveys means that approximately 95 per cent of Queensland has now been fully surveyed using high quality magnetic and radiometric technology.”

Data from the Thomson Survey, the Thomson Extension Survey and the Galilee Survey is now available from the GSQ Sales Centre at level 10, 119 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, or can be ordered at sales@dnrm.qld.gov.au. The data is also available at www.geoscience.gov.au/gadds 

[ENDS] 15 November

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Paul Sutherland 0428 868 237