2025 Q1 technical highlightS

 

This episode features the following technical highlights:

  • ‘Hobby’ fluid automation technology from the team at Curtin University
  • In situ Lu-Hf and Re-Os geochronology for mineral exploration from the team at UofA; and
  • Completion of the Northern Gawler NDI Campaign in collaboration with the Geological Survey of South Australia and DIG CT.

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IN SITU LU-HF AND RE-OS GEOCHRONOLOGY FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION

Contact our Project Leader: Stijn Glorie (UofA)

The Program 3 research team has developed an analytical workflow to obtain robust radiometric dates on a range of minerals that are commonly associated with mineral deposits (apatite, REE-phosphate, carbonate, fluorite, molybdenite, epidote, garnet). These minerals can now very quickly, directly be dated from thin section or rock block, in cogenetic context with ore minerals.

This new ability to constrain the timing of crystallization of these hydrothermal minerals advances understanding of the timing of fluid systems which transported and/or concentrated ore minerals.

Defining a robust temporal framework for ore genesis and remobilization is crucial for mineral exploration. Mineralisation occurs in distinct events throughout geological history and different minerals form in different tectonic scenarios. The new analytical capabilities give the explorer a robust toolbox to rapidly define geological time in their exploration areas.

A significant advancement in mass-spectrometer technology has enabled interference-free detection of same-mass parent-daughter isotopes pairs, opening up new opportunities for radiometric geochronology. The radiogenic daughter products of Hf and Os react with gasses inside the mass-spectrometer to form molecules with a higher mass, while the parent isotopes of Lu and Re don`t react. This chemical separation within the mass-spectrometer allows direct measurement of Lu-Hf and Re-Os isotope ratios at orders of magnitude faster rates compared to conventional isotope-dilution methods. We demonstrated the method on phosphates, carbonates and molybdenite within IOCG systems in the Olympic Province (South Australia) and discovered a new Cu system in the northern Gawler Craton. We also dated late fluorite and dolomite veins that transport Cu from the IOCG-rich basement to the Stuart Shelf cover sequences. Latest developments include (1) dating (ultra)mafic rocks with apatite and basalts via epidote coronas on amygdales, (2) dating organic-rich shales and young molybdenite deposits, (3) dating banded-iron formations using authigenic apatite, and (4) using detrital apatite and garnet geochronology as vectoring tools towards mineralisation.

The new analytical capabilities give explorers access to geological time constraints within days from collecting samples, allowing faster decision making, reducing exploration search space and obtaining new vectors to mineralisation. This will result in increased exploration expenditure and discoveries in Australia.

 

NORTHERN GAWLER NDI CAMPAIGN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Contact our Program Leader: Anthony Budd (Geoscience Australia)

The Northern Gawler NDI is a geoscientific drilling program that partners government and researchers to undertake a scientific drilling program to improve geological knowledge in the northern Gawler Craton area of South Australia.

One of the aims of MinEx CRC is to attract exploration and discovery into areas which have not yet been explored. 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, confirm modelled depth of basement cover and provide new information as a regional greenfields ‘mapping with a drill rig’ program in northern South Australia.

The Northern Gawler project area encompasses a crucial zone that could aide in understanding the structural architecture of the northern Gawler Craton.

The drilling program has been planned to explore terrane correlation and interrogate how the bits of the northern Gawler Craton fit together (Nawa Domain, Mabel Creek Ridge, and Peake and Denison Inliers).

The geological information gained from this program will assist GSSA and MinEx researchers to correlate northern Australia (Aileron/Arunta, Mt Isa) and other parts of South Australia (Peake and Denison, Gawler Craton) to the northern Gawler Craton.

The program is providing answers about the different basement rocks and metamorphic history. Preliminary field data will be provided in the Northern Gawler NDI Dashboard.

The Northern Gawler NDI aims to help inform the South Australian Discovery Mapping project in Northern Gawler Craton, and develop mineral potential in the area through detailed logging and sampling of NDI material for many potential commodities (including Cu-Au (IOCG, ISCG), REE, BHT base metals and build on existing models (e.g. “younger” Cu systems).

 

‘HOBBY’ FLUID AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY

Contact our Project Leader: Masood Mostofi (Curtin University)

Curtin University’s innovative Hobby Fluid Automation system is entering the final stages of preparation for field deployment. The mechanical structure is now complete, core components installed, and sensor and control systems integrated, the project is now progressing into laboratory commissioning.

The Hobby system is designed to fully automate the preparation and management of drilling fluids, showcasing how data-driven optimisation can significantly enhance the efficiency and performance of traditional drilling operations.

Engineered to simplify and streamline the drilling process, Hobby combines full automation with advanced analytics to enable intelligent decision-making and process optimisation.

Key features include an onboard tank for transporting and reusing drilling fluids between boreholes and a solid separation unit capable of removing both coarse and fine particles. The system leverages Curtin’s proprietary Universal Drilling Fluid (UDF), with algorithms dynamically adjusting UDF concentrations based on pre-drill plans and real-time data.

With lab commissioning underway, researchers are eagerly preparing for field trials scheduled to begin in 2025.


2024 Q2 General News

  • 2024 AIMR Report Released by the Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources

    2024 AIMR Report Released by the Hon Madeleine King MP, Minister for Resources

    This report draws on more than 40 years of data to reveal trends in reserve estimates, resource estimates and mine production over both short and long periods of time. It provides useful indicators of potential resource life and future supply capability.

  • 2025 MinEx CRC Mid-year Science Review

    2025 MinEx CRC Mid-year Science Review

    The MinEx CRC Mid-year Science Review will be held on 12 June 2025 at the Crowne Plaza, 27 Frome St, Adelaide SA.

  • 2024 Australian Critical Minerals Map Released by Geoscience Australia

    2024 Australian Critical Minerals Map Released by Geoscience Australia

    The 2024 edition of the Australian Critical Minerals Map displays the location, operating status, and mineral commodity type of the nation’s mines and deposits associated with Australia’s Critical Minerals List.

  • Postgraduate Completion: Kwong Lee Su (Curtin University)

    Postgraduate Completion: Kwong Lee Su (Curtin University)

    Congratulations to Kwong Lee Su who has formally qualified for his Masters thesis titled: ‘Methods to detect inadequate bit cleaning in diamond drilling’.

  • MinEx CRC Researchers Awarded $450,000 in Seed-Start Grant Funding to Further Develop Geothermal CT Drilling

    MinEx CRC Researchers Awarded $450,000 in Seed-Start Grant Funding to Further Develop Geothermal CT Drilling

    Congratulations to Soren Soe and the MinEx CRC Project 2 team, recently awarded $450,000 in Seed-Start Grant funding from the Malinauskas Labor Government for their new tech start-up CoilRig.

  • MinEx CRC Welcomes Continued Support for Industry-led Collaborative Research in 2025 Budget

    MinEx CRC Welcomes Continued Support for Industry-led Collaborative Research in 2025 Budget

    The CRC Program will continue to receive funding at current levels over the forward estimates, with an allocation of $848 million.

  • Minerals Council of Australia Launch Careers Guide ‘Prospect’

    Minerals Council of Australia Launch Careers Guide ‘Prospect’

    Unveiled in Perth by MCA Chief Executive Officer Tania Constable, Prospect , a comprehensive new careers guide designed to connect students with exciting opportunities in Australia’s thriving mining sector.

  • Sam Bizhani (UofA) Awarded First Place in the Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Award

    Sam Bizhani (UofA) Awarded First Place in the Frank Arnott – Next Generation Explorers Award

    Congratulations to Sam Bizhani (UofA) and the ‘Magnetic Misfits’ team for their first-place win in the 2025 Next Generation Explorers Award at PDAC 2025 last month.

  • Project 2 Researchers Visit Wassara Underground Operations in Sweeden

    Project 2 Researchers Visit Wassara Underground Operations in Sweeden

    Project 2 (CT Drilling) MinEx CRC researchers recently travelled to Gallivare, northern Sweden, to observe over two days of underground demonstrations with major sponsor LKAB Wassara.




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