A new software tool developed by CSIRO is set to transform mineral exploration in Australia by helping geologists uncover hidden resources faster and more efficiently.
LandScape+ is a web-based platform that allows users to interpret geochemical data in the context of local landforms.
It’s particularly useful for exploring beneath Australia’s regolith – the thick layer of soil, sand, and broken-down rock that covers much of the continent and obscures signs of valuable minerals like gold, lithium and copper.
“Exploring through the regolith is notoriously difficult and interpreting geochemical results is time-consuming and often requires specialist knowledge,” CSIRO senior research scientist Dr Anicia Henne said. “We developed LandScape+ to simplify this process.”
Using remotely sensed data and machine learning, LandScape+ generates landform maps at a 30-metre resolution, allowing geologists to identify anomalies in soil samples quickly and effectively.
This removes the need for costly and time-intensive on-ground observations, especially in remote or underexplored greenfield areas.
Key features include a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex data interpretation, and igh-resolution mapping (30 metre resolution) covering expansive areas in mere hours
Henne said the tool empowers exploration teams by making it easier to plan follow-up programs and assess tenements ranging from 25 km² to 2,000 km² in size.
“This gives exploration geologists the opportunity to rapidly interpret soil sampling results in context and create maps, especially in underexplored greenfield sites,” Henne said.
Key features include a user-friendly interface, high-resolution mapping, and fast processing speeds that make complex data accessible within hours.
LandScape+ is part of CSIRO’s eXploration Toolkit (XT), a suite of digital tools designed to help the resources sector uncover Australia’s next generation of mineral deposits.
Licences are now available for explorers seeking to integrate LandScape+ into their exploration workflows.
