Digital atlas to boost Queensland mineral exploration

The atlas brings together information from multiple sources, collected over decades, into one easy-to-use data compilation.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said data is key to exploration and exploration is key to making new discoveries which creates new opportunities in the resources industry.

“Importantly, the data has also been used to generate three-dimensional earth models, using free software,” Stewart said.

“The models make it easier for explorers to understand the geological nature of the deposits we already know about, so they can identify the most prospective areas to target for new projects, saving significant time and money.”

The atlas is the latest free resource made available as part of the Queensland Government’s five-year $23 million New Economy Minerals Initiative.

The initiative aims to develop, promote and understand the state’s new economy mineral wealth and potential through a broad corridor from Mt Isa to Townsville.

The initiative encourages new exploration, re-investigates old mines and probes the geological information government already holds to foster new discoveries, projects and jobs.

The north-east atlas follows the release of the north-west atlas just over a year ago.

Stewart said the two atlases now provided detailed free data for areas between Mount Isa and Cairns, with world-class deposits of the new economy minerals the world needed for renewable and advanced technologies.

“The government’s investment is about fostering new discoveries, new projects and, most importantly, new jobs,” he said.

Stewart said the exploration and resources industry continued to perform strongly throughout the COVID-19 global pandemic, supporting thousands of jobs

“The latest figures show exploration expenditure reached $706 million in Queensland during the 12 months to June 2021, up by 10.3 per cent compared to the 12 months before,” he said.

“The resources sector continues to support about 80,000 jobs across Queensland and represents $48 billion in exports and generates millions in dollars in royalties for all Queenslanders.

“The Palaszczuk Government has supported more than $21 billion in resource sector investment and created more than 8000 jobs.”