Geophysics in Australian mineral exploration

Abstract I review a variety of recent case histories illustrating the application of geophysics in mineral exploration in Australia. Geophysics is now an integral part of most programs. Examples are given of contributions by geophysics to all stages of mineral exploration, from regional area selection through to mine planning and development.Specific case histories summarized are as follows:(a) Olympic Dam copper-uranium-gold deposit, discovered using a conceptual genetic model and regional geophysical data;(b) Ellendale diamondiferous kimberlites, illustrating the use of low level, detailed airborne magnetics;(c) Ranger uranium orebodies, discovered by detailed airborne radiometric surveys;(d) geologic mapping near Mary Kathleen with color displays of airborne radiometric data,(e) mapping of lignite in basement depressions of the Bremer Basin, near Esperance, with INPUT;(f) White Leads, a lead-zinc sulfide deposit discovered with induced polarization (IP) and TEM, near Broken Hill;(g) Hellyer, a lead-zinc-silver-gold deposit discovered with UTEM;(h) application of geophysical logging near Kanmantoo;(i) Cowla Peak, a subbituminous steaming coal deposit mapped with ground TEM; and(j) Cook Colliery, where high-resolution seismic reflection methods have successfully increased the workable reserves.