• Areas in Which the Earth Sciences Play a Key Role • the Earth Sciences

This presentation is focussed on:

• Areas in which the earth sciences play a key role Inquiry into greenfields mineral exploration and project development • The earth sciences capacity we have in Victoria in Victoria • The different functions of government, universities and the broader industry Janet Hergt Head of Earth Sciences • How stakeholders could work together more effectively to enhance exploration (and other) investment in Victoria

The underlying geology is central Why do universities have any role to play?

Whether looking for gold, mineral sands, base • ‘Greenfields’ research metals, diamonds, oil & gas, coal, or areas – Our research is not restricted to Victoria, nor as directed in its scope. We can therefore bring new insights, technologies and prospective for geothermal energy… ideas, often from left field to complement, not duplicate, the We need to go from this… research of government and industry. to this… • Education of future Earth Scientists – Melbourne & Monash are both MTEC partner universities (2 of the 8 institutions nationwide supported by the MCA) – Our graduates have strong broadly-based Earth Sciences expertise, helping to address pressing skills shortages …and indeed well beyond a broad – Their employment means the direct uptake of new ideas into the interpretation of the surface geology. workforce

• Community engagement Neither Industry nor Universities – In some cases, academics are viewed with less suspicion than those thought to have a vested interest (e.g., engagement in can undertake this work, geothermal energy) Geoscience Victoria is essential

A strong history of cross-organisational …and collaboration with Industry geoscience collaboration

GA, NTGS, GSNSW, Adelaide, ANU, Curtin, JCU, Melbourne, Monash, UTas, UWA GSWA Victoria has substantial geoscience research Where to direct our research resources? capacity in its universities

• Geosciences in Australia, punches well above its • Like Industry, universities weight have the entire world consider when choosing • The recent ERA exercise where to direct their precious confirms research at resources Melbourne and Monash is both broadly-based and at • Much has been made of the or above world standard value of pre-competitive data made available to Industry by • The ERA doesn’t capture GSV but universities also rely pockets of excellent work upon these sources of up-to- also being conducted in date information Victoria’s smaller institutions

The virtuous circle of knowledge generation Our subdued profile: a problem of diffusion

• State Government: does

g g mod e e elling not need to undertake all o o l Victoria does not lack many o p g h y l ica y of this work in isolation log s eo i g ing c pp s ideas of the pieces required to a y new m tr is m h re he establish a formidable c u • Universities: can build r t oc a c e e u g s tr nology e f geochro r s o n on State Government geoscience cooperative but: a o fr e ti r a in tu r l o u b research and develop c a •The resources to put them ll e o y nvir c new technologies and og onm ol en together are lacking tr imp tal pe act research projects within ex c celle oor g nt •Some pieces are missing dina eolog and outside the mandate tion? ists •We are in the process of hydr petr ogeo • Other partners: Industry losing others ophysics logy and other agencies (e.g., CSIRO) also have a great deal to contribute

Many ideas documented in 2006…