Project activity Curnamona Geochemistry
Supporting new opportunities for mineral exploration in the Curnamona Province.
The Curnamona Province is a highly prospective mineral region that underlies the SA-NSW border. It hosts the world-class Broken Hill lead-zinc-silver-gold mine, which has operated continually since 1885. The Curnamona Province covers about 60,000 km2 of which more than half the rocks are covered by geologically younger sedimentary basins and regolith.
A geological province is a term used by geologists to describe a large area that encompasses a natural geological feature where the rocks have a common geological history, such as a sedimentary basin, a fold belt or a mountain range.
The Curnamona Geochemistry study is taking a comprehensive review of the region’s geochemistry in support of mineral exploration.
Working with our collaborators from the MinEx CRC, CSIRO, the Geological Survey of New South Wales and the Geological Survey of South Australia, the study is defining regional geochemical baselines to characterise key geological and aquifer units. These baselines will be used to investigate more sensitive and robust approaches for detecting geochemical anomalies, which may be associated with a mineral deposit, and will enable a more detailed understanding of the groundwater and geology of the region.
Map of the Curnamona Geochemistry study area
Objectives
The Curnamona Geochemistry study aims to:
- provide an integrated understanding of the groundwater and geology of the region
- evaluate regional geochemical baselines by characterising background concentrations of elements for key geological and aquifer units
- identify new opportunities for mineral exploration.
What are we doing?
During the study we are compiling existing geochemical data and collecting new samples to better understand the unique geology and geochemical processes in the region.
Our activities include taking samples from rocks obtained during drilling, and sampling groundwater bores.
Before collecting the new data we will seek consent from landholders/owners and engage with communities in accordance with state and federal legislation. While collecting data, we will not enter private property without permission and notification, and we will share any information that we collect with landholders and communities.
The findings will provide new information about the mineral systems in the region and support renewed industry exploration for new resources, such as copper, zinc and rare earth elements, to support Australia's transition to net zero emissions.
Outputs
Collaboration
Important to know
All data produced by Geoscience Australia, including the data from this study, will be made publicly available after quality assurance has been performed at the Exploring for the Future Data Discovery Portal.
All Geoscience Australia staff and contractors comply with Geoscience Australia’s COVID-19 protocols, available upon request.
Contact us
- General enquiries: 1800 800 173, clientservices@ga.gov.au
Related information
Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian
The Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian project is delivering new data and knowledge to assess mineral and groundwater potential and support water management across western New South Wales and Victoria, eastern South Australia and northwest Tasmania.
East Tennant National Drilling Initiative
The Tennant Creek to Mount Isa region hosts known mineral deposits in exposed Proterozoic rocks, most notably iron oxide copper-gold mineral systems in the Tennant Creek area, and basin-hosted base metals (zinc, lead) and uranium in the McArthur Basin.
South Nicholson Basin
The South Nicholson Basin region has the potential to host major petroleum and base metal mineral resources.