Groundwater shines a light on hidden mineralisation

Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program undertook an extensive groundwater survey across the Tennant Creek and the McArthur Basin region to better understand where potential resources may be buried.

During the 2017 dry season, 118 groundwater samples were collected to locate new mineral areas for further investigation and establish environmental baselines. Examining chemical elements in groundwater is an effective way to identify mineral and energy resources buried deep under cover. As groundwater moves through the earth and interacts with bedrock and aquifers, various chemical elements can be dissolved into the water, providing clues about what is hidden beneath the surface.

Early results show that there may be new mineral targets such as copper over the survey region. Further research is underway to analyse the data in more detail and map areas where the groundwater is high in various base metals. The new data also provide environmental information that can be used to assess the impacts of any future development in the area.

Data releases

For more information and to download the data visit the Geoscience Australia website. More detailed information about the mineral potential, environmental information and groundwater flow systems will be released in mid-2020. The groundwater sampling survey was undertaken with support from the Northern Territory Geological Survey.

Planned fieldwork

Fieldwork for sampling additional groundwater bores is planned in June (western Barkly Tableland) and August-September (central and eastern Barkly Tableland). A further 80 or so pastoral and community bores will be sampled in those regions, which will provide valuable scientific, prospectivity, water quality and baseline information.

Contact Details

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Free Call 1800 091 964 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am to 5:00pm AEST)

Email: EFTF@ga.gov.au

Website: www.ga.gov.au/eftf