Benefits
The Exploring for the Future program has changed the way we understand the Earth beneath northern Australia, and has been instrumental to delivering on the key purpose of the Australian National Resources Statement. The evidence gathered through the program has already translated into real impacts that build towards a smarter, more connected future. The findings have been able to significantly reduce the technical risk of exploration in underexplored areas and will ensure projects can plan for minimum impact on the environment and maximum return on investment.
This work is driving new infrastructure, creating jobs, and building local economies to ensure the prosperity of future generations of Australians. The enhanced understanding of our resources also supports calls for infrastructure investment, including new ports and roads, which will open more of inland Australia.
The program was an investment in Australia's long-term prosperity. The full economic and social benefits will be realised across months, years and decades. Since 2016, we have seen benefits like new exploration and better-informed resource management, including:
The program delivered more than 1,000 datasets, publications and reports, and is helping to build Australia's resources wealth and secure the future of our resources and agricultural sectors - vital to supporting our communities and Australia's transition to net zero by 2050.
Geoscience Australia continues to build on program findings to provide consistent national coverage and generate positive outcomes with long-term impacts.
Read our case studies that showcase our work, community stories, and benefits and impacts of the Exploring for the Future program.
Providing both new data and findings to government, industry and communities have already led to improvements and investment in these regions.
Renewed investment in the region between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa represents the first of many investments in 'greenfield' areas that have not been previously explored. The area has seen a significant increase in the number of minerals exploration tenements since 2018, with approximately 31 companies in the region have acknowledged the contribution of Exploring for the Future data, covering an area of around 167,000 km2 as of June 2024.
Additionally, oil and gas company Santos Limited has invested up to $95 million to explore tenements in the South Nicholson region northwest of Mount Isa. The investment is a result of providing the information needed to better understand the region's potential for energy exploration.
In 2018, large multinational resources company Anglo American PLC returned to mineral exploration in Australia after a 12-year hiatus, taking up exploration tenements south of Mount Isa based on new data and scientific knowledge.
Learn more about new exploration tenements.
Groundwater assessment work is already leading to better outcomes for remote communities in the region between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. New data is being used to plan new and sustainable water sources for those communities and is pointing to the prospect of new water sources for agriculture and horticulture in the regions.
Our targeted investigation and analysis of groundwater potential conducted across the Upper Burdekin region, west of Townsville, is assisting the Queensland Government with better resource management in the region. Combining new groundwater and surface water data has led to a greater understanding of the connected groundwater and surface water systems, which will also lead to more informed decisions on future developments.
"Thanks to Geoscience Australia led groundwater research in the Townsville region, we will be modifying the Burdekin Catchment Water Plan to utilise groundwater systems in addition to surface water. This will lead to better resource management and more informed decisions on future developments." Graham Herbert, Manager - Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
We have completed 21 collaborative activities that have mapped the geology of northern Australia, covering over 3 million km2 — 39% of Australia's landmass and delivering more than 250 datasets and reports.
We used world leading scientific skills and technical capability to capture and analyse a huge amount of data, leading to an unprecedented understanding of the Earth beneath northern Australia.
Unlocking Australia's mineral, energy, and groundwater resource potential is essential to drive economic growth, job creation, and ongoing infrastructure and community development.
"Mineral exploration in Australia is becoming harder with undiscovered mineral deposits almost certainly undercover. The market struggles to fund large-scale regional programs that open new exploration frontiers. Initiatives such as Exploring for the Future help address these challenges and are essential to encourage 'greenfields' exploration in new terranes."
Stuart Rechner, Chairman of Strategic Energy Resources Ltd
Projects like this were significant considerations in Anglo American's decision to return to mineral exploration in Australia.
Discovery Manager for Australia at Anglo American
According to a 2023 Deloitte Access Economics report, government geoscience data and analysis supported $76b of added value to the economy in 2021-22, or 3.5% of GDP. Learn more about how the program has realised impact
Better evidence-based decision-making between landholders, traditional owners, public, government and industry.
Growing economic prosperity and social well-being through resource development, investment in resource exploration, new job creation and responsible agricultural planning.
Improved intergenerational water security and community resilience.
