The Geological Survey of Victoria’s (GSV) latest findings reveal that mineral exploration is at record levels in Victoria, and gives insight into underexplored mineral resources across the state.
During 2021-22, statewide mineral exploration expenditure totalled over AU$220 million, which is a 20 per cent rise on the previous record financial year of 2020-21.
GSV has identified for the first time an extended fault system that could indicate the presence of minerals in areas that have not seen successful exploration to date. What is known as a mineralisation pathway may run from close to the surface to as far down as 35-40 kilometres.
The Southern Lachlan Crustal Transect initiative points to the mineralisation pathways reaching the surface in the vicinity of the historic goldfields Woods Point-Walhalla area, meaning faults buried under younger rock cover away from the historic goldfields could present new opportunities. GSV aims to give industry sufficient confidence to start testing these ideas.
Speaking at the Victoria Gold Mining & Exploration Forum 2023, GSV’s Senior Geologist, Ross Cayley, outlined opportunities for further successful minerals exploration across the Melbourne geological zone.
