Projects - NSW Resources and Geoscience

MinEx CRC – National Drilling Initiative

The MinEx Cooperative Research Centre (MinEx CRC) is the world's largest mineral exploration collaboration, bringing together industry, government, research organisations and universities to further our understanding of geology, mineral deposits and groundwater resources in areas where rocks are not exposed. GSNSW is a major participant in the National Drilling Initiative (NDI) program, committing $16 million over 10 years, from 2019 to 2028.

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Stockton Offshore Sand Exploration Project

In June 2020, the NSW Government committed an initial $1 million to help tackle beach erosion at Stockton Beach in Newcastle.

This project is designed to identify potential areas in Stockton Bight that can be used to obtain sand for beach nourishment. Survey activities are planned to occur between January and April 2021.

Geotrails

Geotrails are app-based self-guided tours that take users on a journey that is focused on geology, where each geotrail tells a different story. In 2020 the Newcastle and Warrumbungle geotrials were launched. Several other geotrails are in development across NSW.

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'Sunset clause' data release

This project will progressively make previously confidential historical mineral exploration data publicly available from June 2021. From 2021 a confidentiality period of 5 years applies. Data validation will continue in a series of stages from 2021 to 2025.

Rare Earth Resource Potential ARC Linkage Project

The GSNSW is one of 11 partner organisations in a new ARC linkage project established to examine the potential for new styles of rare earth element mineralisation in Australia.

The emphasis in NSW will be on REE mineralisation associated with alkaline volcanism in the eastern half of the state and the potential for REE-phosphate bearing systems in the Curnamona Province.

NSW Seamless Geology Project

This project provides a statewide compilation of best available mapping data in an internally consistent format.

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3D mapping of NSW

This project aims to generate 3D models of lithological and structural aspects of basin and orogenic provinces at scales ranging from broad to site-specific. The models have applications in land-use management, civil engineering, water resource management, waste management, mineral and energy resource exploration and research.

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New Frontiers Cooperative Drilling grants program round 3

The program provides grants to successful applicants for exploration drilling programs (Group 1, 2, 6 and 10 minerals only) that demonstrate strong prospectivity, sound financial planning and a proven technical base.

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East Riverina Mapping Project

This project will provide up-to-date data to aid mineral exploration and to inform regional land-use decisions. Products will include 1:100 000 (or better) geological mapping that will be incorporated into statewide digital geoscience datasets, annual technical and specialist reports, mineral prospectivity assessments and 3D models.

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AusLAMP Project

The Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) aims to establish baseline deep crustal conductivity between 11 km and 100 km depth across Australia.

Go to AusLAMP Project

Government Geotechnical Report Database Project (GGRD)

The GGRD is a collaborative multi-year project that aims to collate, store and provide access to NSW government geotechnical reports and data.

Go to Government Geotechnical Report Database Project (GGRD)

Coal Resource Identification Program

Resource assessments are being undertaken to develop a greater understanding of the state’s geology and coal resource potential. This is set out in the NSW Government’s June 2020 Strategic Statement on Coal Exploration and Mining in NSW.

This information is used to inform various decision-making processes within government, including the recommendation of potential exploration areas to release under the Strategic Release Framework for Coal and Petroleum Exploration. Resource assessments typically include activities such as drilling, coal quality analysis, geological mapping, surveying, and resource modelling.