Real-time drilling results for explorers in South Australia
Mining & Resources
REAL-time drilling results will be available to resource prospectors for the northwest corner of South Australia.
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The far north of Eyre Peninsula has been selected as the location for a world-first trial program which delivers real-time drilling results, improving explorers’ chances of finding the next major discovery.
Opening the South Australian Exploration and Mining Conference in Adelaide today, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the new $2 million PACE Frontiers 2015 Mineral Systems Drilling program will allow explorers to make decisions “on the spot” and better target their efforts to drive exploration dollars further.
“Rather than having to wait days and weeks to see the results of sampled drill cores, the participating explorers will effectively have ‘instant’ access to live sensors and on-site analysis of geology,” Koutsantonis said.
“This will drastically speed up exploration results testing, enabling explorers to quickly adapt their drilling programs, improving their chance of success.
“With the roll-out of this technology in our own backyard, South Australian explorers will be among the best-placed in the world to rapidly assess the merits of mineral assets, and make a quantum leap in productivity gains.
“Minotaur Exploration and Kingston Resources will feature in the initiative, having submitted compelling expressions of interest to participate in the program.
“A wide range of junior explorers operating in the band across northern Eyre Peninsula will also benefit from their participation, including Investigator Resources, Musgrave Resources and Renascor Resources, who have agreed to share data and samples.”
Koutsantonis said the northern Eyre Peninsula was the perfect location to test-drive the next generation of exploration technologies.
“The northern Eyre Peninsula was selected by the Geological Survey of South Australia because it is one of Australia’s premier mineral terranes in the Gawler Craton,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing the development of this exciting mineral province brought forward by this drilling program.”
The region on northern Eyre Peninsula includes exploration tenements clustered westward of Port Augusta, and another cluster in the Northern Eyre Peninsula, more than 50km north of Wudinna.
More exploration blocks are expected to be added across northern Eyre Peninsula as the program further develops.
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