MESA Journal 77 Issue 2 – 2015 Minister’S Message
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mesaSouth Australia journal Identification of strategic mineral resource areas Portia gold deposit: discovery to production New Minerals website New geology • Origin of sedimentary cover adjacent to the Hillside Cu–Au deposit • Definition and age of the Sprigg Diamictite Member • Mount Painter and WINTINNA geological maps MESA Journal 77 Issue 2 – 2015 Minister’s message Tax reform that ensures South Australia is Two major capital projects continue to the best state in which to do business is a make progress – Nyrstar’s $563 million major theme of the 2015–16 State Budget. redevelopment of its Port Pirie smelter and It is a Budget that also proudly continues the Cavpower’s new $25 million Component state government’s unrivalled support of the Rebuild Centre at Gepps Cross. These projects mineral resources and energy sector and clearly demonstrate confidence in the future of the state’s minerals industry. More than complements our competitive royalty regime, $60 million in contracts have been awarded renowned precompetitive data and world’s best to South Australian companies for the Port regulation. Our tax reform package removes Pirie redevelopment covering a diverse stamp duty – an impediment to exploration range of supplies and services ranging from and investment – to further encourage miners manufacturing and construction to professional to transact, explore, invest and create jobs. and technical services. Cavpower’s new centre Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP We have created incentives for direct foreign will expand its rebuilding, repairs, maintenance Minister for Mineral Resources investment as well as allowing junior explorers and diagnostic services, and provide spare and Energy to focus on finding the next major discovery parts for heavy vehicles and machinery used rather than worry about tax imposts on primarily in mining and resources. transactions. A dedicated investment attraction Finally, I along with my ministerial colleague agency and fund is being established in South Stephen Mulligan, Minister for Transport and Australia to promote the attractiveness of this Infrastructure, were invited to speak in July state’s low-tax regime as well as our pro- at the 2015 South Australian Construction business policies such as this year’s substantial Materials Industry Dinner. This event provided reductions in Workers Compensation premiums. an excellent opportunity to release a report on the Identification of strategic mineral resource In recognition of the importance of securing and areas in South Australia. This is essential managing South Australia’s water resources – planning work for the future of South Australia a key component in resource exploration and that will make a positive contribution to the development projects – the Budget allocated environment, the broader economy and our $8 million over four years to fund the continued communities. By identifying strategic resources operation of South Australia’s renowned areas in South Australia, the Resource Area Goyder Institute of Water Research. The Budget Management and Planning project can help also continues the government’s commitment to minimise conflicts from incompatible to growing our regions including an upgrade of developments and preserve appropriate the Port Wakefield to Pine Point water supply. separation distances between quarry operations and residential areas, which in turn will reduce future supply and pricing problems. Deputy Chief Executive’s message It is pleasing to see that the government’s and at developing the new technologies efforts to provide explorers with a regulatory required for ongoing, cost-effective, successful framework that gives them the confidence to go mineral exploration beneath barren cover. out to find the next major discoveries are being Significantly, it is a world-first collaboration of validated. A prime example is the passing of mineral explorers, drillers, government and the Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera research institutes – the Geological Survey of Prohibited Area) Bill 2014 legislation 12 months South Australia, Deep Exploration Technologies ago which opened the door to explorers wanting to target the considerable mineral Cooperative Research Centre (DET CRC), resources in the Woomera Prohibited Area mineral explorers Minotaur Exploration and (WPA). Despite the challenges the industry is Kingston Resources, and drilling company Boart facing due to the downturn in global commodity Longyear. Dr Paul Heithersay prices, 59 exploration licences covering 18 460 2 Deputy Chief Executive, km have been granted within the WPA. This In closing, I would like to commend Mineral Resources and Energy Group is a great example of Defence and mining Resources Division’s contribution to the working together to harness opportunity, to government’s Northern Economic Plan (NEP) to create jobs and unlock resources. reinvigorate Adelaide’s northern suburbs. An online information system is being developed I am thrilled that drilling has commenced for stakeholders utilising SARIG technology to for the inaugural PACE Frontiers Mineral Systems Drilling Program. This new and deliver NEP Project location maps on a NEP innovative program is designed to improve website. The maps will enable users to spatially our understanding of the geology of the highly locate projects and provide a customised view prospective eastern Gawler Craton Olympic and some general information relating to the Copper–Gold Province (northern Eyre Peninsula) project. 2 MESA Journal 77 Issue 2 – 2015 Contents 48 20 67 News 71 Events 75 Mineral tenement activity 2 Minister’s message 83 Petroleum and geothermal tenement activity 2 Deputy Chief Executive’s message 89 People 5 Identification of strategic mineral resource areas 91 Field guide to understanding the geological in South Australia landscape of Arkaroola 7 New requirements for the submission of exploration PEPRs and compliance reports 8 Novel solutions take Portia gold deposit from Features discovery to production 12 Industry news New geology 16 New Minerals website – delivering resource information and data to industry and the 27 Origin of Eocene sedimentary cover adjacent community to the Hillside Cu–Au deposit: detrital zircon provenance of Quartoo Sand Member – 18 National Virtual Core Library: South Australian Joel Vergunst, Anthony J Reid and Steven M Hill additions 37 New Mount Painter region 1:100 000 geological 20 Halloysite mineral nanotubes – geology, map – Stephen B Hore and Wayne M Cowley properties and applied research 42 Definition and age of the enigmatic Sprigg 26 Roger Goldsworthy AO – supporting Diamictite Member, northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia’s resources sector South Australia – Stephen B Hore, Anthony J Reid and Steven M Hill 62 Five-year company mineral exploration information release 55 WINTINNA 1:250 000 geological map (1st edition) and explanatory notes – 67 Faults, flows and fumaroles: a journey through Malcolm J Sheard the geology of New Zealand Inquiries Subscriptions Back issues in good faith for general information which may be directly or indirectly Cover MESA Journal Manager, Subscription to South Australia’s Previous articles can be searched only and does not purport to be suffered as a consequence of use of Paralana Hot Springs, Arkaroola. Resources and Energy Group, quarterly earth resources journal is for and downloaded via SARIG or a professional advice. No warranty, these materials. DSD reserves the right Work by the Geological Survey in this Department of State Development free. You can receive a hard copy and/ complete set of MESA Journals with express or implied, is given as to the to update, amend or supplement the area has resulted in the release of a GPO Box 320, Adelaide SA 5001 or email notification of availability on a full text search capability can be completeness, correctness, accuracy, information from time to time at its geological field guide to Arkaroola 101 Grenfell Street, Adelaide SA the DSD website. Subscribe online. ordered via SARIG. reliability or currency of the materials. discretion. and a new edition Mount Painter Phone: +61 8 8463 3000 © Government of South Australia DSD and the Crown in the right of Warning map – see articles on pp. 26 and [email protected] Contributions 37–41. Photograph by Steve Hore. Disclaimer the state of South Australia do not Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Contributions are invited provided they accept responsibility for and will not (Photo 414457) 204627 Although all reasonable care has are warned that this publication are relevant to South Australia and be held liable to any recipient of the been taken in the preparation and may contain images and names of Printed on FSC certified paper using relate to the geosciences or mineral information for any loss or damage ISSN 1326-3544 compilation of the information in the deceased persons. soy-based inks. and energy resources. Technical however caused (including negligence) articles are peer reviewed. MESA Journal, it has been provided MESA Journal 77 Issue 2 – 2015 3 Inspiring creativity The brilliant colours of this large piece of seam opal from Mintabie is inspiration for the creativity of textile designer Julie White. Corporate Sponsor Exhibition at the South Australian Museum 25 September 2015 – 14 February 2016 www.samuseum.sa.gov.au Strategic resource areas Identification of strategic mineral resource areas in South Australia Alisha Green Resource Land Access Strategy, Department of State Development The Identification of The SRA report delivers