Geoscience Australia provides specialist advice
responding to some of Australia’s most important challenges
including understanding Australia’s vast mineral,
energy and groundwater resources.
We are undertaking new research across
northern Australia to map potential resources
buried deep below the Earth’ surface.
Australia’s vast mineral wealth is still
concealed underground
around 80 percent of our landscape is under-explored.
New geoscience information, tools and methods are
required to unlock Australia’s hidden resource wealth.
Geoscience Australia carries
out a number of geophysical surveys
to investigate where resources are hosted underground.
One technique used to identify
mineral and groundwater resources
is Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) surveys.
Thorough the Exploring for the Future program,
Geoscience Australia completed the world’s
largest AEM survey in
the Northern Territory and Queensland.
This type of survey is commonly used by industry
to aid in mineral and groundwater exploration.
An aircraft fitted with special equipment
collects data from its sensors that image several
hundred metres below the earth’s surface.
The data is analysed into a 3D environment
to better understand the geology of the survey area.
When integrated with other datasets,  it can reveal
the location of potential mineral formations
and map groundwater resources that can support
communities, industries and the environment.
The results show conductive units that could
indicate the presence of mineral deposits
such as Nickel and other commodities.
This provides explorers new insights and target areas for further investigations.
New geoscience data and knowledge 
increases confidence in exploration investment,
helping to grow Australia’s resources sector
and create more jobs for all Australians.
