The Queensland Government is facilitating a trial of new technology to enable mining companies maximise their chances of exploration success in the resource rich Northwest Minerals Province.
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Queensland’s Chief Government Geologist Tony Knight said a six month trial starting this month would give local explorers access to the latest hyperspectral scanning technology and all its applications.
“Companies who participate in the trial will have a unique opportunity to put this cutting-edge exploration technology through its paces and evaluate its performance,” Mr Knight said.
“In a globally competitive commodities market, faster and more precise data is a key consideration for business leaders seeking to make informed investment decisions on exploration targets and guide them in making calculated risks for resource projects.”
Mr Knight said Australian firm Corescan was bringing its expertise and portable hyperspectral core-logging equipment to Mount Isa for Queensland explorers to test.
“This technology will provide invaluable support for the resources sector by providing a more precise and detailed analysis of the mineral content of rock samples,” he said.
Corescan Managing Director, Neil Goodey said Corescan’s in-house scientific engineering group had developed and manufactured the technology.
“Hyperspectral imaging is a very specialised area with only a handful of groups globally having the optical expertise to design and build spectrometers,” Mr Goodey said.
“A key advantage of this technology is that stored historic core can be re-analysed and value added to deliver new geological knowledge to a project from a company’s existing investment in drilling.”
Mr Knight said Glencore would roadtest the technology with their first scanning project commencing in early April.
“In addition to providing faster and more precise data, accessing the technology locally from Mount Isa, in close proximity to their operations, will save Glencore on the cost of transporting core samples for analysis,” he said.
“The Department of Natural Resources and Mines’ Geological Survey of Queensland scoped the trial in response to requests for increased geoscience support for the Northwest Minerals Province.”
Mr Knight said industry consultation through the Northwest Minerals Province Taskforce in 2016 identified a need to examine advanced exploration technologies to improve the acquisition and use of data from core samples.
“Corescan technical support will operate from DNRM’s John Campbell Miles Core Storage facility in Mount Isa and run trials on an agreed fee for service basis,” he said.
“The initiative highlights the practical actions DNRM is willing to take to support the resources sector in the region and I encourage exploration companies to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.”
Further information about the Corescan trial can be found at www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/invest/mining/exploration-incentives/technology-trial
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
