Targeting future mineral discoveries under cover using a mineral systems approach

Abstract

Predictive mapping of mineral systems represents an important tool for assessing the potential for undiscovered mineral resources in Australia. Recently, assessments for a range of uranium mineralisation styles have been performed across three regional studies in Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. These investigations have been undertaken using a mineral systems framework which considers key system components including sources, fluid-flow drivers and pathways, and depositional mechanisms. The method which has been used places a strong emphasis on identifying important processes leading to ore formation, which are then translated into mappable geological proxies using a range of input datasets and derivatives. At relatively shallow depths, these may be mapped using geochemical and observational geological data. However, deeper-buried terranes, such as those dominating most of the Australian continent, require the use geophysical data to generate proxies for targeting the desired processes. Importantly, and unlike other available techniques, the method employed does not rely on the locations of known mineralisation to generate maps of mineral potential. This allows assessment of mineral potential in greenfield regions of Australia, including those beneath significant volumes of cover. Results from the regional studies completed to date successfully reproduce the locations of known mineralisation and highlight potential in areas not currently recognised as mineralised. Such mineral system analyses provide predictive models which may be the focus for follow-up investigation, including drilling.