ESS-Bilbao Initiative Workshop. Overview of Multi-MW Accelerator Projects
Integrated geoscience projects through the CORE initiative · CORE initiative – Regional...
Transcript of Integrated geoscience projects through the CORE initiative · CORE initiative – Regional...
Integrated geoscience projects through the CORE initiative
Dorothy Close
CORE initiative 2014-2018
A 4 year (2014-18) $23.8M investment in growing the exploration sector
• 4 year program to assess shale gas and oil resources ($2.0M pa) • Major new geoscience programs to lower exploration risk ($3.95M pa) • Programs to attract investment into NT resources projects • Co-funding of industry greenfields drilling and geophysics • Strategic collaborative research partnerships
Creating Opportunities for Resource Exploration
Focus for NTGS Regional Geoscience: 2014-2018 4 key areas: Arnhem Province, greater
McArthur Basin, Arunta Region, Amadeus Basin Targeted approach • Where required: improve regional
scale resolution of geophysics; upgrade geological maps (100k & 250k) with modern approach to framework studies; construct 3D models to understand architecture; undertake resource (minerals; Cu ± base metals & petroleum; unconventional shale gas) data collection and assessment
greater McArthur Basin
McArthur Basin
Birrindudu Basin
Tomkinson Province
Arunta Region
Amadeus Basin
Arnhem Province
Strategic approach – early intensive data collection CORE initiative: the first 20 months • regional gravity (26 672 gravity
stations = 286 550 km2); • aeromagnetic & radiometric data
(200 409 line kms = 70 393 km2); • rock property data (10 919
measurements from 6231 samples from 124 drill holes);
• hyperspectral (105 drill holes HyLogged = 27 000m);
• geochemistry (626 whole rock geochemical analyses);
• geochronology (47 U-Pb zircon); • source rock analysis (7935 analyses
from 4501 samples from 115 drill holes);
Strategic approach – ongoing information release
• Data open filed and available as soon as possible
• Ongoing release of information and concepts
• Analysis and interpretation of existing data
• Next phase = integration and interpretation of new data
Arnhem Province Approach • understand geological history
and framework through 1:100k mapping of outcropping basement terrain
• Redefined stratigraphy, identified distinctive suites of granites, timing of metamorphism -> relationship to Pine Creek Orogen
greater McArthur Basin Approach • Understand basin/s
architecture, evolution, scale, palaeogeography, hydrocarbon potential (esp unconventional shale gas) and Cu base metal mineral systems analysis
• Acquire geophysical data at modern regional scale, construct 3D model, characterise and correlate stratigraphy across outcropping basins & provinces; systematic source rock analysis of all shale units; characterise Cu prospects
Arunta Region Approach • Continue to unravel the geological framework and
evolution of the Region, focusing on the eastern exposure
• Identify depositional, magmatic, metamorphic and structural events
• Providing context to Cu ± base metal mineral systems analysis
• initial focus on characterising Jervois deposit, Bonya Hills and then other Cu related deposits in the Aileron Province
Jervois mineral field
Amadeus Basin Approach • Understand basin architecture,
evolution and palaeogeography and resource potential
• Focus on the Neoproterozoic stratigraphy (currently the target for petroleum exploration), characterise, redefine and remap distribution
• CSIRO COBRA project: construct 3D model from potential field data; integrate geochemistry, sedimentology, isotopic analysis, ASTER to undertake resource assessment of the basin
CSIRO COBRA project
Henbury 250k outcrop
Reference area, NE Amadeus
Strategic approach: Collaborative partnerships • Augments existing expertise and knowledge within
NTGS with specialist skill sets • Maximises and accelerates use of new data and
integration of regional research and assessment
Strategic approach: Collaborative partnerships Geoscience Australia • ongoing provision of SHRIMP U-Pb geochronology • ongoing provision of contract management of
geophysical acquisition • Unconventional petroleum resource assessment of
the McArthur Basin
Strategic approach: Collaborative partnerships CSIRO Amadeus Basin - COBRA project greater McArthur Basin Integrated basin architecture and mineral systems project • AEM project – Batten Fault
Zone • Deformation fluid flow
modelling • Embedded researchers: 2 x
Postdoctoral positions located within NTGS
Strategic approach: Collaborative partnerships Universities CODES: Cu deposits in McArthur Basin Uni of Adelaide ARC Linkage Grant: greater McArthur Basin
• Designed to compliment existing NTGS projects
• Depositional ages, regional stratigraphic correlation and provenance: U-Pb apatite, monazite, rutile and titanite and Ar-Ar from detrital muscovites from siliciclasitic units/ Re-Os from pyrites and organic rich shales
• Palaeogeography and depositional environment: Ca Mg, Sr and Cr isotope analysis on carbonates
• Thermal history: apatite and titanite fission track
Collaborative partnerships: Industry Look for opportunities for new techniques/data to improve knowledge. Data/information open file asap • Geophysical acquisition:
infill in NTGS regional geophysical surveys
• Geochronology: Cameco • 60 km seismic acquisition –
Tennant Region: Emmerson/Evolution
• HyLogger: Cameco
Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations Round 9
• $750 000 pa during CORE • Co funding of greenfields
drilling/geophysics and innovative techniques
• 50% of direct costs to max of $100 000 per project
• Call for applications open now; closing April 21st 2016
• Guidelines & application forms on webpage
www.minerals.nt.gov.au/collaborations
CORE initiative – Regional Geoscience • 4 year initiative: 2014-2018 • ~ $4 million pa on regional
geoscience projects • Integrated problem solving
approach • Early intensive acquisition of
new data • Ongoing release of data and
information • Building on existing and
establishing new collaborative research partnerships