Charters Towers survey data will to help mineral explorers

Mineral explorers have access to new geophysical information for the Charters Towers area with the release of new survey data, Mines Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Mr Wilson said the latest data from the Charters Towers Gravity Survey would help target gold and base metal exploration in this historic area.

“The survey covered an area of approximately 130,000 square kilometres surrounding Charters Towers and extending north towards Ingham and Georgetown, south-west to Hughenden and south-east towards Moranbah,” Mr Wilson said.

“The Charters Towers region is a significant gold province with great potential for new discoveries to become the mineral resources of tomorrow.”

Mr Wilson said the new gravity data would help to reduce the cost, risk and uncertainty involved in exploration by helping explorers to narrow down their search to areas that are considered more prospective.

“Encouraging further exploration in this area will undoubtedly lead to more mines and more jobs for the region, which is good for the local economies and further development of communities in those areas.

“Explorers can use data from these surveys with other geophysical information, geological maps and drill hole information to better target prospective mineral exploration areas.”

This latest survey data has been acquired under the $39 million geoscience data acquisition phases of the Queensland Government’s $49 million Smart Exploration and Smart Mining – Future Prosperity programs running from 2005 to 2010. Both programs are aimed at increasing exploration activity in the state.

All geophysical survey data acquired for Queensland is released online at Geoscience Australia www.geoscience.gov.au/gadds as it becomes available or on DVD from the Department of Mines and Energy by emailing sales@dme.qld.gov.au.

Note: PDF map of the survey area is available.

Media Inquiries: Caroline Kaurila 3224 7332