Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. This project aims to develop and test models to evaluate past tectonic processes and configurations in South-east Australia, using both new and existing geological, geophysical and isotopic data. Over the past 550 million years, plate tectonic processes have formed metal-rich mineral deposits in South-east Australia. The project will identify areas of ....Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. This project aims to develop and test models to evaluate past tectonic processes and configurations in South-east Australia, using both new and existing geological, geophysical and isotopic data. Over the past 550 million years, plate tectonic processes have formed metal-rich mineral deposits in South-east Australia. The project will identify areas of high potential for economically valuable ore deposits, enabling more efficient prioritisation of mineral exploration efforts. This is expected to increase the probability of significant ore deposit discoveries leading to national economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Pyrite: a deep-time capsule of ocean chemistry and atmosphere oxidation. Surprisingly little is known about trace element trends in past oceans, even though these data are vital for interpreting the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, evolutionary pathways of marine life and cycles of major mineral deposits. Using laser-based analysis of sedimentary pyrite in deep marine rocks, this project aims to produce, for the first time, temporal variation curves for 25 trace elements in seawater over the ....Pyrite: a deep-time capsule of ocean chemistry and atmosphere oxidation. Surprisingly little is known about trace element trends in past oceans, even though these data are vital for interpreting the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere, evolutionary pathways of marine life and cycles of major mineral deposits. Using laser-based analysis of sedimentary pyrite in deep marine rocks, this project aims to produce, for the first time, temporal variation curves for 25 trace elements in seawater over the last 3.5 billion years. Preliminary research has validated the technique and demonstrated major changes in certain trace elements over geologically short periods. Outcomes will assist the minerals industry in the discovery of new deposits of zinc, copper, gold and iron ore in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100047
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
Events through time: eruptions, extinctions, impacts, ore-bodies and orogenies - upgrading the national argon geochronology network. Nine universities and the CSIRO will replace aged and obsolete equipment with new mass spectrometers which will be strategically placed at opposite ends of our continent to improve access for Australian researchers to these instruments for which there is high demand. These instruments will allow more exact dating of events such as eruptions, impacts, climate change ....Events through time: eruptions, extinctions, impacts, ore-bodies and orogenies - upgrading the national argon geochronology network. Nine universities and the CSIRO will replace aged and obsolete equipment with new mass spectrometers which will be strategically placed at opposite ends of our continent to improve access for Australian researchers to these instruments for which there is high demand. These instruments will allow more exact dating of events such as eruptions, impacts, climate change, biological extinctions, mineral deposits and mountain building.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101190
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,259.00
Summary
The role of hydrostatic pressure in modulating submarine silicic eruptions. Exploration on the modern seafloor reveals the deposits of deep (greater than 1 000 metres) silicic explosive eruptions, yet theory predicts that explosivity at these depths is largely suppressed. In 2012 the largest and deepest silicic submarine explosive eruption ever recorded took place at depths up to 1 600 metres, also challenging this theory. This project leverages a United States of America research expedition to ....The role of hydrostatic pressure in modulating submarine silicic eruptions. Exploration on the modern seafloor reveals the deposits of deep (greater than 1 000 metres) silicic explosive eruptions, yet theory predicts that explosivity at these depths is largely suppressed. In 2012 the largest and deepest silicic submarine explosive eruption ever recorded took place at depths up to 1 600 metres, also challenging this theory. This project leverages a United States of America research expedition to the eruption site. This project aims to constrain the physical and chemical factors that control explosivity using cutting-edge technologies. Australia's ancient submarine volcanoes host highly economic ore deposits. This project aims to enhance the ability to interpret ancient volcanic settings, thereby improving the potential for new ore deposit discoveries.Read moreRead less
Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration ....Exploration targeting from next-generation volcanic facies reconstruction. The project aims to develop new innovative image analysis techniques to reconstruct the architecture of the volcanic host at four highly prospective hydrothermal-magmatic ore deposits, and investigate the properties of rocks that favour high-grade ore mineralisation. Expected outcomes of this project include next-generation automated techniques for volcanic facies analysis, and predictions of where hydrothermal alteration is most prospective for mineralisation. Both outcomes are relevant to the discovery of volcanic-hosted mineralisation globally. This project will provide significant benefit to the Australian mining industry by diversifying ore exploration strategies in the Australian crust, and will train the next generation of explorers.Read moreRead less
Beneath Bass Strait: linking Tasmania and mainland Australia using a novel seismic experiment. A new low-cost approach based on background seismic energy and earthquake recordings will be used to construct three-dimensional maps of the deep structure beneath Bass Strait. Understanding the broad scale geology of southeast Australia is of national importance because the area is host to an abundance of petroleum, geothermal and mineral resources.
Novel isotope techniques to explore the Centralian Superbasin, Australia. This project will leverage new advances in analytical instrumentation and isotope techniques to generate improved geochronological and stratigraphic framework for the Centralian Superbasin, a vast ancient depositional system covering much of central Australia. The project aims to apply novel laser-based dating of sedimentary rocks, coupled with metal isotope proxy reconstructions of the basin’s palaeogeography, hydrologica ....Novel isotope techniques to explore the Centralian Superbasin, Australia. This project will leverage new advances in analytical instrumentation and isotope techniques to generate improved geochronological and stratigraphic framework for the Centralian Superbasin, a vast ancient depositional system covering much of central Australia. The project aims to apply novel laser-based dating of sedimentary rocks, coupled with metal isotope proxy reconstructions of the basin’s palaeogeography, hydrological connectivity and past redox conditions, which are all critical parameters to guide and de-risk future exploration of sediment-hosted resources in this frontier basin. Anticipated outcomes will benefit Australia's resources economy, while providing insights into the evolution of Earth’s surface environment in deep time.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200004
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,966,350.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. This Research Hub aims to transform the mining value chain to make significant improvements to industry practices through enhancing ore deposit discovery, mineral processing, and environmental management of ores and waste materials. The Hub will bring together a team of world-class researchers, industry partners and research facilities to develop end-user driven solutions to improv ....ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. This Research Hub aims to transform the mining value chain to make significant improvements to industry practices through enhancing ore deposit discovery, mineral processing, and environmental management of ores and waste materials. The Hub will bring together a team of world-class researchers, industry partners and research facilities to develop end-user driven solutions to improve profitability and productivity in Australia’s mining industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100145
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
The South Australian Thermochronometry Hub (SA Thermo). A thermochronometry hub: This project aims to set up a thermochronometry hub which will complement existing Australian geo- and thermochronological facilities by focussing on zircon fission track dating. This method will enable characterisation of the evolution of Australia's landscape, uncovering of its mineral deposits and constraining the formation of its petroleum reservoirs. The facility will enhance capacity to undertake thermochronol ....The South Australian Thermochronometry Hub (SA Thermo). A thermochronometry hub: This project aims to set up a thermochronometry hub which will complement existing Australian geo- and thermochronological facilities by focussing on zircon fission track dating. This method will enable characterisation of the evolution of Australia's landscape, uncovering of its mineral deposits and constraining the formation of its petroleum reservoirs. The facility will enhance capacity to undertake thermochronological research and aid in securing the economic future of Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE160100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
A state-of-the-art field emission electron microprobe for Tasmania. A state-of-the-art field emission electron microprobe for Tasmania:
This proposal aims to replace an existing 12-year old conventional electron microprobe with a state-of-the art field emission electron microprobe instrument capable of in-situ, low-level, quantitative non-destructive chemical analysis, and mapping of element distribution and texture at sub-micron resolution. This would establish new research strengths in the fi ....A state-of-the-art field emission electron microprobe for Tasmania. A state-of-the-art field emission electron microprobe for Tasmania:
This proposal aims to replace an existing 12-year old conventional electron microprobe with a state-of-the art field emission electron microprobe instrument capable of in-situ, low-level, quantitative non-destructive chemical analysis, and mapping of element distribution and texture at sub-micron resolution. This would establish new research strengths in the field of earth and materials science. In particular, it may improve efficiencies of discovery and recovery of ore deposits and develop environmentally friendly processes for waste disposal. Read moreRead less