The New South Wales Government’S Discovery 2000 – Geophysical Surveys and Their Effect on Exploration

During the first two years of the New South Wales Government’s six-year ‘Discovery 2000’ Exploration Initiative budget, approximately $9 million was spent on the acquisition and processing of over 850 000 line kilometres of airborne magnetic and radiometric data, and 14 000 gravity stations. Both mineral- and petroleum-prospective areas were targeted, covering an area of over 200 000 square kilometres — equivalent to 26% of the State.

The minerals industry has been provided with new high resolution geophysical datasets which constitute a world-class product. Airborne surveys have been read at low-altitudes at close interline spacings. The airborne data have been released in combination with a greatly improved density of gravity stations over all areas and limited seismic reflection data over sedimentary basins. The resultant high resolution data have assisted, and will continue to assist, selection of new exploration project areas. Already there is a significant increase in the level of new exploration.