Exploration boost takes new direction

Western Australia’s subdued resources exploration sector is set to receive a new boost in the form of a digital map for explorers to better target mining and petroleum discoveries.

The free bedrock mapping project allows users to view the state’s geology in various datasets using constantly updated information displayed on a one-to-500,000 scale.

Department of Mines and Petroleum chief geoscientist Roger Hocking said the digital map would allow explorers that couldn’t afford to look outside their own acreage or permits to get the bigger picture.

“It’s looking at geology without blinkers, we’ve taken the dirt off,” he said.

“We’ve used landsat, drilling results, anything we can get our hands on to interpret the geology.”

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the unique innovation would help explorers access a range of data in one place.

“The maps we’re putting out today have information that hasn’t been released before in some of the greenfield areas,’’ he said.

“It’s a really good resource for the mining industry and potential investors in Western Australia.”

The government also announced today its 10th round of co-funding for drilling and prospecting projects, worth $4.7 million.

The program, in its sixth year, is aimed at stimulating the exploration sector and refunds up to 50 per cent of direct drilling costs with caps of $150,000 for a multi-hole project, $200,000 for a single deep hole and $30,000 for a prospector’s project.

In the past decade, drilling in WA greenfields mineral exploration has dropped from making up almost half of total metres drilled in 2003 to less than a quarter in 2014.

Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive Simon Bennison said the exploration investment scheme was a real help to some of the smaller operators chasing deeper discoveries that were more expensive to drill.

“Exploration is critical for revenue streams, not only for government, but also for shareholders,” Mr Bennison said.

“We’re looking forward to some discoveries being made out of this particular round.”