Survey spells out mineral riches of state’s North West

The Bligh Government is mapping the way for the next wave of millionaire miners with the release of new survey data, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

Results of the survey, which involved 900 kilometres of deep seismic reflection in the Mount Isa Inlier, were presented at an industry workshop in Mount Isa this week.

Mr Wilson said the data and its geological interpretation provided more detailed information on the deep structure and geology of the highly prospective North West Queensland Mineral Province.

“What we’re doing is giving explorers in the North West a leg up, because today’s exploration will lead to tomorrow’s jobs,” Mr Wilson said.

The information was collected as part of the stage 1 Mount Isa deep crustal seismic survey during late 2006. The information includes areas of highly prospective rocks which host lead, zinc, copper and gold deposits.

“Of special interest are deep fractures which may have acted as pathways for the hot fluids, which are responsible for the deposition of massive deposits such as Mount Isa, Cannington, Ernest Henry and Century base metal mines,” Mr Wilson said.

“This province is highly prospective and I’m sure there are more raw material deposits waiting to be discovered and turned into commercial mines.

“The survey data will provide avenues for research into North West Queensland for many years to come,” he said.

Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan welcomed the release of the vital survey data.

“The more information we can gather about what further resources are in this mineral-rich region, the more we can attract explorers, and more exploration will potentially lead to more mines and more jobs,” Mrs Kiernan said.

“Such a survey could lead to more mineral and energy discoveries which will underpin the continued economic growth of the North West, now and in the future.”

The research was a collaborative program involving Queensland Government scientists from the Geological Survey of Queensland and researchers from Geoscience Australia and the Predictive Mineral Discovery Cooperative Research Centre.

The Queensland Government has invested $1.25 million in the collection of the stage 1 seismic survey data in the Mount Isa region.

A similar amount was also contributed by the collaborating parties.

Media Inquiries: Minister’s Office 3224 7332.