A leg up for junior explorers

Four junior mineral explorers will share in $160,000 in research funding to help them uncover new mineral resources in under-explored parts of the state.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said four companies would each receive $40,000 for their research projects to open up more exploration in Queensland.

"We want to give junior explorers a leg up because today’s exploration could lead to tomorrow’s jobs and that’s good for local economies,” Mr Wilson said.

“This is about looking beyond the horizon so that the boom times continue to roll,” he said.

Gold Aura Limited will use its grant to investigate the relationship between two of the state’s most highly prospective areas for gold and copper, lead and zinc – the Georgetown and North West mineral provinces – at the point where they converge near Croydon.

They will study different methods of age dating and investigate fluids in rock to better understand their mineral make up.

MM Mining Pty Ltd’s grant will help develop new exploration mapping technology to better target minerals under sedimentary cover.

Drummond Gold Limited’s project aims to give explorers a better understanding of the nature of granite found in minerals in the Drummond Basin in Central Queensland.

Earth Ray Exploration Pty Ltd is exploring the extensive sediment and soil cover in an area around Eulo, west of Cunnamulla.

Their grant will be used to develop a specialised computer modelling technique. All available geological information will be able to be looked at in 3D on computer.

“The good news for other explorers is that the results of all four projects will be available for their use in about two years,” Mr Wilson said.

The closing date for the next round of industry grants is 13 March 2009.

For more information, visit www.dme.qld.gov.au

Media inquiries: Minister’s office 3225 1819