Stay Up to Date
Subscribe to our quarterly updates for all the latest MinEx CRC news
What is the National Drilling initiative (NDI)?
The National Drilling Initiative (NDI) manages and delivers drilling programs in multiple case study areas proposed by MinEx CRC’s partner geological survey organisations. The NDI vision is to drill multiple holes in a region to map the regional geology and architecture and define the potential for mineral systems in 3D.
In addition to conventional drilling methods, the NDI is utilising new low-cost Coiled Tubing (CT) drilling technology and associated sensing developed by MinEx CRC. This technology minimises the environmental footprint and maximises the number of drill holes and the volume of data collected.
The National Drilling Initiative is not an exploration program itself, rather it seeks to provide new evidence about the existence of mineralising systems for exploration companies to then come in and take up the search and lower the risk for companies to explore previously poorly understood areas.
NDI CAMPAIGN 8: COBAR
General Information:
The purpose of the Cobar NDI Project is to undertake a scientific drilling program to improve geological knowledge in the Cobar Basin area of NSW. This work is part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program which will improve understanding of the mineral, energy and groundwater potential of the region. MinEx CRC, with the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW), seeks to obtain Physical Samples (diamond drill core) and downhole Data (wireline geophysical data) from a series of stratigraphic Boreholes between 1000 and 2000 m deep into the Siluro-Devonian rocks of the Cobar Basin region.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE COBAR CAMPAIGN?
WHERE IS THE COBAR PROJECT AREA?
The NSW Government is conducting deep drilling in the Cobar region, to investigate rocks at depth and develop a better understanding of the local geology. With up to 5 drillholes planned to reach maximum depths of 2,000 metres.
The stratigraphic holes to be drilled will be selected from the sites chosen based on a range of factors including geological constraints on mineral potential from new and existing geoscience information, the potential for new insight to be gained, accessibility, environmental impact and liaison with the landholder.
WHEN WILL THE DRILLING CAMPAIGN TAKE PLACE?
The project is due to commence in mid-2026. The drilling is expected to take approximately 2–3 months to complete, weather permitting.
WHAT DOES THE COBAR PROJECT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
The results will be used by the NSW Government, researchers and industry to expand their knowledge of the geology and assist the mining and exploration industry in the search for critical mineral resources in the region.
This work is part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program which will improve understanding of the region’s mineral, energy and groundwater potential.
CONTACT
Drilling Program:
Data Release:
Media:
Any general enquiries can be directed to admin@minexcrc.com.au
DATA RELEASE
Data from the drilling program will be made available to industry and the public in 2026.
MEDIA
MinEx vNews
2019 Q3 vNews feature: Lake Cargelligo Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) Survey
NDI CAMPAIGN 7: NORTHERN GAWLER CRATON
General Information:
The purpose of the Northern Gawler Craton NDI Project is to undertake a scientific drilling program to improve geological knowledge in this area of South Australia. This work will contribute to an existing precompetitive geoscience program which seeks to improves our understanding of the mineral, energy, and groundwater potential of the region.
The MinEx CRC Northern Gawler National Drilling Initiative concluded in 2025, with seven drillholes completed from three regions north of Coober Pedy, South Australia. Drilling targeted basement geology concealed by the overlying Eromanga and Arckaringa basins. Due to the extensive cover in the northern Gawler Craton, geophysical data were heavily relied upon for selecting drilling targets, which was undertaken in conjunction with detailed solid geology mapping to help inform interpretation and targeting. Seven holes were drilled using the DIG CT RoXplorer coil tube (CT) drilling technology, retrieving a minimum of 3 m core tails from basement rocks.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE NORTHERN GAWLER CRATON CAMPAIGN?
MinEx CRC is conducting the drilling program in collaboration with the Geological Survey of South Australia as part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program.
WHERE IS THE NORTHERN GAWLER CRATON PROJECT AREA?
A region of 14,545 km2 located predominantly over the Billa Kalina, Coober Pedy, Murloocoppie and Warrina map sheets was gazetted under Section 15 of the Mining Act 1971 on 23 November 2023. To put this in perspective, this is an area larger than the state of Connecticut in the United States of America.
WHEN WILL THE DRILLING CAMPAIGN TAKE PLACE?
Drilling for this Campaign has now concluded. Drilling took place in October 2024
For further information on the NDI Campaign, please see the Geological Survey of South Australia website.
WHAT DOES THE NORTHERN GAWLER CRATON PROJECT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
The purpose of the Northern Gawler Craton NDI Project is to undertake a scientific drilling program to improve geological knowledge in the Northern Gawler Craton area of South Australia. Downhole drilling data can be used to map the geology and structure of the Earth. The data will be used to learn more about how the South Australian Craton evolved throughout geological time.
The program will contribute to new data to map potential groundwater resources and understanding the potential for new mineral reserves.
The knowledge learned from our program will be made available to all stakeholders, and data will be accessible using our South Australian Resource Information Gateway (SARIG) online data portal: https://map.sarig.sa.gov.au/
This work is part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program which will improve understanding of the region’s mineral, energy and groundwater potential.
DATA RELEASE
Fresh results from our Northern Gawler NDI collaboration have recently been released, including palynology sampling to refine stratigraphy, carbon and nitrogen isotope studies supporting paleoenvironmental reconstructions, and SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating that highlights key basement ages.
These findings feed directly into the newly launched 1st Edition SA Geology digital map and explanatory notes, which are available below:
https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/geological-survey/gssa-projects/ndi/northern-gawler-ndi
CONTACT
Drilling Program:
Data Release:
Media:
Any general enquiries can be directed to admin@minexcrc.com.au
MEDIA
MinEx News:
December 2025
‘Northern Gawler NDI Workshop: From Drilling to Discovery’
‘Forthcoming Exploration Release Areas (ERA) – Northern Gawler’
October 2025
‘New Data Released from the Northern Gawler NDI’
October 2024
‘SA NDI Campaign Launches in the Northern Gawler Craton in Collaboration with GSSA and DigCT’
Articles:
March 2026
Precompetitive Review: ‘Northern Gawler emerges as region with potential for Tier 1 sediment-hosted metal discovery’
July 2025
Precompetitive Review: ‘NDI samples get the full treatment in bid to answer big questions on Northern Gawler’
MinEx vNews
2025 Q1 vNews feature: Northern Gawler NDI Campaign in Collaboration with the Geological Survey of South Australia
NDI CAMPAIGN 6: MOONERA
General Information:
The Eucla NDI campaign aims to improve knowledge of the geology in the Eucla region near the Eyre Highway and to test coiled tubing (CT) drilling technology in areas with thick sedimentary cover. The campaign drilled four holes near the Moonera homestead, targeting geophysical anomalies in the Madura Province. This work filled in gaps in earlier drilling by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA), most of which was done about 100 kilometres north of the Trans-Australian Railway in 2013–14.
The drillholes intersected the sediments of the Eucla Basin to evaluate how best to reach the buried Madura Province below. These areas are known to be challenging for drilling, so testing the CT drilling method here provided valuable insights into how well it works for similar regions. The holes will also collect rock samples and downhole data to better understand the region’s geology and resource potential.
This project is part of a larger program designed to build up knowledge about Western Australia’s geology and encourage resource exploration. Research will now be undertaken on the unique samples of the Eucla Basin retrieved through the application of CT drillings.
MEDIA
MinEx vNews
2024 Q2 vNews feature: Moonera National Drilling Initiative in Collaboration with The Geological Survey of WA & DigCT
NDI CAMPAIGN 5: NIFTY
General Information:
Drilling conducted by MinEx CRC in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) has now concluded.
Drilling was conducted at and around the Nifty Copper Mine on behalf of the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) on ground held by Cyprium Metals. This drilling was designed as part of a MinEx CRC Research Project 7.1: Understanding a Mineral System Inside Out. Holes were sited in order to characterise physical, isotopic and chemical gradients from background to altered to mineralised through the cover in order to understand distal to proximal footprints to mineralising systems.
Knowledge gained from the drilling and subsequent research will improve the understanding of the geological framework of the Paterson region and thereby the mineral, energy and groundwater potential of the region. This will be widely of benefit to other explorers in the Paterson region. We are grateful to Cyprium for the opportunity to access the State Agreement area.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN CAMPAIGN: NIFTY?
- MinEx CRC
- Geological Survey of Western Australia
- DigCT
MinEx CRC is conducting the drilling program in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia as part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program.
WHERE IS THE PROJECT AREA
The Project Area is centred on the Nifty copper mine in the Paterson region of northwest Western Australia, within the Yeneena Basin of the Paterson Orogen. The site lies in a remote desert environment along the western margin of the Great Sandy Desert, approximately 350 km southeast of Port Hedland and about 30 km southwest of the Telfer copper–gold deposit. The Nifty deposit is located near the eastern margin of the Archean Pilbara Craton, within a region recognised for hosting large sediment‑hosted and intrusion‑related copper systems.
Drilling associated with this project extends well beyond the immediate mine footprint, with holes positioned along and across strike of the Nifty deposit and up to 20 km from the mine. In total, 3,129 m were drilled across nine holes at Nifty, supplemented by re‑logging and sampling of legacy materials. This broader spatial coverage supports regional‑scale geological interpretation and improves understanding of mineral prospectivity across the wider Paterson region rather than focusing solely on the existing mine area.
WHEN WILL DRILLING TAKE PLACE
Drilling has now concluded. For futher information on the Nifty NDI Campaign, please see the Geological Survey of Western Australia website.
WHAT DOES THE NIFTY PROJECT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
The Nifty campaign aims to improve understanding of multistage sediment‑hosted copper mineralisation in the Yeneena Basin by integrating new drilling data with detailed mineralogical, geochemical, isotopic and petrophysical studies. By sampling the orebody, surrounding host rocks and more distal parts of the basin, the project seeks to identify distinct mineralising phases, alteration styles and metal distribution patterns, and to understand how these evolved through time within the broader basin architecture.
A key focus is to constrain fluid sources, mineralising events and tectonic controls on copper deposition. Analysis of drill samples is used to link mineralisation to basin development, deformation and thermal events within the Paterson Orogen, helping refine tectonometamorphic and mineral system models for the Yeneena Basin and clarify the processes responsible for copper mobilisation and concentration.
The campaign also aims to improve understanding of basement geology beneath cover and to assess regional mineral prospectivity beyond the immediate mine area. By delivering consistent, camp‑scale datasets as part of a pre‑competitive program, the project supports new exploration concepts and ongoing research, reduces geological uncertainty, and enables more informed exploration across underexplored parts of the Paterson region.
CONTACT
Drilling Program:
Data Release:
Media:
Any general enquiries can be directed to admin@minexcrc.com.au
DATA RELEASE
Coming soon
MEDIA
MinEx News:
October 2024
‘WA NDI Campaign in Collaboration with GSWA and DigCT Now Complete’
August 2023
‘Drilling Program in Collaboration With GSWA Kicks Off in the Paterson Region’
Articles:
March 2025
Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration: ‘Drilling initiative set to unlock more of WA’s mineral wealth’
August 2023
Australian Mining: ‘Geoscience to unlock WA’s mineral potential’
NDI CAMPAIGN 4: DELAMERIAN MARGINS
General Information:
Drilling conducted by MinEx CRC and the Geoscience Australia has now concluded.
The purpose of the Delamerian Margins NSW National Drilling Initiative (NDI) project was to undertake a pre-competitive geoscience research program and answer fundamental science questions to promote future mineral exploration and discovery in the Delamerian arc area of western New South Wales.
The new data will be considered with existing datasets derived from the Geoscience Australia (GA) Stavely Project, the MinEx CRC-Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) Delamerian NDI, geological survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) mapping and industry legacy data as part of the Exploring for the Future (EFTF) Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian (DCD) project.
The combined data will provide a broader overview of the tectonostratigraphic evolution and mineral potential of the Cambrian Delamerian arc rocks, and younger intrusive rocks.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN CAMPAIGN: DELAMERIAN MARGINS?
- MinEx CRC
- Geoscience Australia
MinEx CRC is conducting the drilling program in collaboration with the Geoscience Australia as part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program.
WHERE IS THE PROJECT AREA
The Delamerian Margins Project is located in western New South Wales from south of Broken Hill to north of Wentworth, covering two primary regions: Loch Lilly–Kars (LLK) region – targeted for Phanerozoic basement drilling up to ~500 m deep and Wentworth–Mildura–Pooncarie (WMP) region – targeted for deeper basement drilling up to ~800 m.
These regions are part of the Cambrian Delamerian arc, an underexplored area of basement rocks largely covered by younger sediments. The project area is considered a greenfields region, providing new constraints on the geological setting, tectonostratigraphic evolution, and mineral potential of the western portion of the Delamerian Orogen.
WHEN WILL DRILLING TAKE PLACE
Drilling has now concluded. The Delamerian Margins campaign ran from March to June 2023. For further information on the NSW Delamerian Margins NDI Campaign, please see Darling–Curnamona–Delamerian | EFTF.
DRILLING CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW
MinEx CRC, representing its Industry Participants GA and GSNSW, seeks to obtain samples from a series of boreholes up to ~500 m deep into the Phanerozoic basement rocks in the Loch Lilly-Kars (LLK) region, and up to ~800 m deep in the Wentworth-Mildura-Pooncarie (WMP) region of western NSW. Borehole samples will include Coiled Tubing (CT) drilling rig chips, diamond drill core and reverse circulation or mud rotary chips, as well as a suite of borehole wireline geophysical data and evolved gas samples. Selected boreholes may also be repurposed as geothermal monitoring bores by AuScope, subject to landholder permission.
Boreholes will be drilled across the Project area in order to target specific basement rock packages. Samples from these boreholes will be analysed in order to assess covered tectonostratigraphy and develop interpretations of mineral systems models by obtaining new geological, geochemical, petrophysical and geochronological data in the identified data gaps.
In support of the NDI project, MinEx CRC has acquired title to parcels of land in NSW under Exploration Licences (EL) EL9457, EL9458 and EL9459.
WHAT DOES THE DELAMERIAN MARGINS PROJECT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
Physical Samples and Data acquired during stratigraphic drilling in the Project will be analysed as part of MinEx CRC Program 3 (National Drilling Initiative) in order to develop models and interpretations of under-cover mineral systems by obtaining new geological, geochemical, petrophysical and geochronological data in areas with identified data gaps.
The Project and MinEx CRC Program 3 seek to provide Physical Samples and pre-competitive Data that improves the understanding of the geology of the western NSW portion of the Delamerian Orogen.
The outcomes of the Project will support better-informed planning decisions by government and exploration decisions by industry, and support better outcomes for the region, New South Wales, South Australia and Australia.
CONTACT
Drilling Program:
Data Release:
- Anthony Budd – Geoscience Australian NDI Program Leader
- Ian Roach – Geoscience Australia Program 3 Researcher
Media:
DATA RELEASE
Borehole completion reports and HyLogger datasets from the Delamerian Margins NDI Campaign are now available to download below.
Borehole name: NDILLK01
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.09094, -32.568075
Drill depth: 174.3 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867065?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK02
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500
Collar location: 141.0905457, -32.6242497
Drill depth: 63 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867067?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK03
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.00119, -32.825529
Drill depth: 177.14 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867079?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK04
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.00121, -32.82756
Drill depth: 183.24 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867078?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK05
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.36899, -32.577679
Drill depth: 191.1 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867069?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK06
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.3855, -32.57974
Drill depth: 138.5 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867070?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK07
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.38124, -32.517491
Drill depth: 173 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867081?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK08
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.37051, -32.508862
Drill depth: 175.57 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867071?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK09
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.047067, -33.08748
Drill depth: 272.15 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867072?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK10
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT500/Diamond
Collar location: 141.12662, -33.134266
Drill depth: 404.05 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867074?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK11
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.09153, -32.554047
Drill depth: 369.9 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867064?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK12
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.09158, -32.591466
Drill depth: 237.8 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867066?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK13
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.10427, -32.66034
Drill depth: 255.7 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867068?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDILLK14
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.07887, -33.138942
Drill depth: 435.0 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867075?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDIWMP01
Drilling method: RoXplorer® CT1000
Collar location: 141.9983983, -33.7638968
Drill depth: 700.0 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/869994?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDIWMP02
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.62446, -33.49948
Drill depth: 646.3 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867077?persona=minexcrc
Borehole name: NDIWMP03
Drilling method: MR/Diamond
Collar location: 141.42508, -33.768776
Drill depth: 554.7 m
Borehole completion report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/867080?persona=minexcrc
MEDIA
Articles:
November 2023
Geoscience Australia: ‘New scientific drilling results suggest potential major mineral prospectivity in western NSW regions’
Energy Innovation: ‘Breakthrough Mineral Prospecting in Western NSW Unveils Promising Energy Resources’
June 2023
Geoscience Australia: ‘National Drilling Initiative Delamerian Margins campaign’
April 2021:
Geoscience Australia: ‘Ground-breaking scientific drilling begins in western NSW’
MinEx vNews
2023 Q1 vNews feature: Delamerian Margins NSW National Drilling Initiative Campaign Commences in Collaboration with Geoscience Australia and the NSW Geological Survey
NDI CAMPAIGN 3: DELAMERIAN OROGEN
General Information:
Drilling conducted by MinEx CRC and the Geological Survey of South Australia has now concluded.
Further information on the Delamerian Orogen NDI Campaign can be found via the Geological Survey of South Australia webpage here.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN CAMPAIGN 3: DELAMERIAN OROGEN?
- MinEx CRC
- Geological Survey of South Australia
MinEx CRC is conducting the drilling program in collaboration with the Geological Survey of South Australia as part of a long-running precompetitive geoscience program.
WHERE IS THE DELAMERIAN OROGEN PROJECT AREA?
The Cambrian-Ordovician Delamerian Orogen is an arcuate orogenic belt with a strike length of approximately 15,000 km, encompassing eastern South Australia, western New South Wales, western Victoria and central and western Tasmania. It preserves the remnant of an accretionary plate margin formed along the eastern margin of the proto-Australian continent when it was part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The basement to the Murray Basin in South Australia is arguably the most poorly understood element of the Delamerian Orogen, flanked to the west by deformed Neoproterozoic-Middle Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Adelaide Fold Belt, and to the east by volcanic arcs of the Grampians Stavely Zone in Victoria, and the Koonenberry and Loch Lily-Kars belt in NSW.
While the cover succession of the Murray Basin continues to be the target of exploration for heavy mineral sands, exploration for base and precious metals within the Delamerian basement has until now been almost solely focused along the western margin of the Murray Basin. This project will provide new constraints on the geological setting, deformational history, thickness of cover and prospective mineral systems of the basement beneath the Murray Basin.
WHEN WILL THE DRILLING CAMPAIGN TAKE PLACE?
Drilling has now concluded. The Delamerian NDI campaign took place during 2021 and 2022.
For further information on the Delamerian Orogen NDI Campaign, please see the Geological Survey of South Australia website.
WHAT DOES THE DELAMERIAN OROGEN PROJECT HOPE TO ACHIEVE?
To stimulate mineral exploration beneath cover of the Murray Basin by providing industry with new data and new constraints on the geological framework and mineral prospectivity in this greenfields region
DATA RELEASE
Throughout the project resources will be released to give a greater understanding of the Delamerian basement. These are designed to provide additional support to the exploration industry. You can access the full list of data releases, publications and maps through SARIG.
Report Book 2024/00009 Delamerian National Drilling Initiative: Basement rocks to the Murray Basin, South Australia (available at RB 2024/00009 Delamerian National Drilling Initiative: Basement rocks to the Murray Basin, South Australia – Document – SARIG catalogue) summarises the key findings of the drilling and analytical campaign.
CONTACT
Drilling Program:
Data Release:
- Anthony Budd – MinEx CRC National Drilling Initiative Program Leader
- Tom Wise – GSSA Project Leader
- Caroline Tiddy – MinEx CRC Chief Scientific Officer
Media:
Any general enquiries can be directed to admin@minexcrc.com.au
MEDIA
Media Releases:
October 2022:
‘New Tech Promises Smaller Carbon Footprint in South Australian Drilling Campaign’
Articles:
December 2021:
Precompetitive Review: ‘Delamerian NDI campaign hits its mark: Fe and Cu sulphides, extensive porphyry Cu-style alteration, and a VMS play as well’
Precompetitive Review: ‘MinEx CRC’s Coiled Tube Rig ready to deliver low-cost drilling revolution after success with Delamerian NDI campaign’
September 2021:
Precompetitive Review: ‘NDI gets underway in the Delamerian as new MT highlights Cu and Au potential’
MinEx vNews
2022 Q2 vNews feature: National Drilling Initiative Delamerian Project – Sampling Workshop
2022 Q1 vNews feature: Delamerian National Drilling Initiative Project
NDI CAMPAIGN 2: SOUTH NICHOLSON
CESSATION NOTICE
The MinEx CRC tenement held in the Northern Territory for the South Nicholson NDI Campaign expired in mid-July 2021 and will not be renewed (EL32366).
Please utilise STRIKE to ascertain the Moratorium End Date under the “Mineral Titles/Exploration Licences – 30-day Moratorium” convention.
Based on the MinEx ceased tenure date, we estimate that ground will be open for application on 13/8/2021.
DATA
Sampling and Analysis List
Geoscience Australia and MinEx researchers have taken the below list of samples and for which analysis is currently underway.
Additional samples have been taken (as is evidenced in the core trays), and further information will be made available here as analyses are progressed.
Any samples taken which are not analysed will be returned to the core trays.
Download the Sampling and Analysis list here.
The Borehole Completion Report, HyLogger and Minalyze data packages for the South Nicholson Campaign are available below:
Borehole Name: NDI Carrara-1
Borehole Completion Report: NDI Carrara 1
HyLyogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91582
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDICARRARA1
In order to access the Minalyze Data Packages please create a (free) account via the link: https://minalogger.com/register/
A video tutorial on how to navigate the Minalyze cloud interface can be accessed here.
PARTNERS
CONTACT
Data Release:
- Anthony Budd – MinEx CRC National Drilling Initiative Program Leader
- Caroline Tiddy – MinEx CRC Chief Scientific Officer
Media:
MEDIA
Press Releases
December 2020
‘Drilling Helps Unearth Resource Potential of Under-Explored South Nicholson Basin’
April 2021
‘Drilling Data Reveals New Energy and Mineral Potential in the Northern Territory’
Articles:
April 2021:
NT News: ‘New wave of explorers eye the Northern Territory new data released from National Drilling program’
ABC Radio: ‘Outback NT Rural Report’
Mirage News: ‘First data released from National Drilling Initiative’s South Nicholson Campaign’
The Adelaide Advertiser: ‘New wave of explorers eye the Northern Territory – new data released from the National Drilling Program’
The Courier Mail: ‘New wave of explorers eye the Northern Territory – new data released from the National Drilling Program’
The Geelong Advertiser: ‘New wave of explorers eye the Northern Territory – new data released from the National Drilling Program’
ForeignAffairs.co.nz: ‘First data released from National Drilling Initiative’s South Nicholson campaign’
The Daily Telegraph: ‘New wave of explorers eyeing the Territory: Pitt’
The Townsville Bulletin: ‘New wave of explorers eyeing the Territory: Pitt’
The Herald Sun: ‘New wave of explorers eyeing the Territory: Pitt’
The Cairns Post: ‘New wave of explorers eyeing the Territory: Pitt’
The Mercury: ‘New wave of explorers eye the Northern Territory: Pitt’
NDI CAMPAIGN 1: EAST TENNANT
CESSATION NOTICE
MinEx CRC tenements held in the Northern Territory for the East Tennant NDI Campaign expired in mid-July 2021 and will not be renewed (EL32362, EL32363, EL32364, EL32365).
Please utilise STRIKE to ascertain the Moratorium End Date under the “Mineral Titles/Exploration Licences – 30-day Moratorium” convention.
Based on the MinEx ceased tenure date, we estimate that ground will be open for application on 13/8/2021.
DATA
Data is available via the MinEx CRC National Drilling Initiative (NDI) Portal
Borehole Completion Reports, HyloggerMinalyze data packages and a Sampling and Analysis list are available below.
In order to access the Minalyze Data Packages please create a (free) account via the link: https://minalogger.com/register/
A video tutorial on how to navigate the Minalyze cloud interface can be accessed here.
Sampling and Analysis List
Geoscience Australia and MinEx researchers have taken the below list of samples and for which analysis is currently underway.
Additional samples have been taken (as is evidenced in the core trays), and further information will be made available here as analyses are progressed.
Any samples taken which are not analysed will be returned to the core trays.
Download the Sampling and Analysis list here.
Borehole name: NDIBK01
Collar location: 136.1256, -19.5719
Drill Depth: 351.8 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/648462?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91247
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK01
Borehole name: NDIBK02
Collar location: 136.0107, -19.5397
Drill depth: 347.0 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/648481?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/92283
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK02
Borehole name: NDIBK03
Collar location: 35.9464, -19.5569
Drill depth: 350.7 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/649159?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/92513
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK03
Borehole name: NDIBK04
Collar location: 136.2904, -19.5342
Drill depth: 416.3 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650764?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/92623
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK04
Borehole name: NDIBK05
Collar location: 135.7949, -19.8483
Drill depth: 293.8 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650765?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/92925
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK05
Borehole name: NDIBK06
Collar location: 135.9797, -19.1644
Drill depth: 504.7 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650787?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/92926
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK06
Borehole name: NDIBK07
Collar location: 136.3461, -19.1945
Drill depth: 274.0 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650881?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91554
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK07
Borehole name: NDIBK08
Collar location: 136.2156, -19.3298
Drill depth: 347.8 m
Link: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650882?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91255
Minalyze Data Package: https://minalogger.com/viewer/?project=NDI&hole=NDIBK08
Borehole name: NDIBK09
Collar location: 136.0323, -19.4992
Drill depth: 315.5 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650883?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91256
Borehole name: NDIBK10
Collar location: 135.8957, -19.7757
Drill depth: 765.7 m
Borehole Completion Report: https://portal.ga.gov.au/bhcr/minerals/650908?persona=minexcrc
Hylogger Data Package: https://geoscience.nt.gov.au/gemis/ntgsjspui/handle/1/91507
PARTNERS
CONTACT
Data Release:
- Anthony Budd – MinEx CRC National Drilling Initiative Program Leader
- Caroline Tiddy – MinEx CRC Chief Scientific Officer
Media:
Any general enquiries can be directed to admin@minexcrc.com.au
MEDIA
Press Releases
March 2021:
‘National Drilling Initiative Reveals Golden Opportunity for Northern Australia’
‘National drilling initiative reveals golden opportunity for northern Australia’
Articles
March 2021:
- Northern Territory News: ‘East Tennant’s mining data sparks excitement’
- Mining Weekley: ‘NDI confirms northern Aus potential’
- Precompeditive Review: ‘East Tennant drilling program delivers the goods’
- Mining Monthly: ‘Potential shown in NT drilling’
- National Resources Review: ‘Drilling data unlocks mineral potential in the NT’
- The National Tribune: ‘A new frontier for mineral exploration’
- Katherine Times: ‘New data uncovering gold and copper sets East Tennant as ‘exciting exploration frontier’
- Mirage News: ‘Australia’s world-leading precompetitive geoscience looking deep undercover’
February 2021:
- Mining Monthly: ‘A New Era’
- The National Tribune: ‘Stratigraphic drilling completed in East Tennant and South Nicholson’
- National Resources Review: ‘Drilling program collects samples in underexplored regions’
January 2021:
- The West Australian: ‘Middle Island expands holding over NT copper-gold play’
December 2020:
- Mining Monthly: ‘MinEx CRC completes first NDI campaigns’
- The West Australian: ‘Middle Island shares hike on early NT copper numbers’
- NT News: ‘World-first scientific drilling program underway in Barkly region’
MinEx vNews
2021 Q1 vNews feature: East Tennant Drilling Data Release and Core Sampling Workshop
2020 Q4 vNews feature: Completion of the First National Drilling Initiative Campaigns in the Barkly Region of the Northern Territory
2019 Q3 vNews feature: Mantle-Tapping Conductivity Zones Consistent with Lithospheric-Scale Metallogenic Systems