Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Sol ....Carbon and Hydrogen in Melts and Fluids in Planetary Interiors. The Australian community will benefit by the ownership of widely used high impact research in published earth science. This research defines the melting behaviour of silicate-rich materials (terrestrial planets, rocky-moons, meteorites) within the solar system. The research will be required for interpretation of Martian samples and will help to ensure that Australian laboratories participate in 21st Century investigations of the Solar System by virtue of their leading roles in understanding volcanism and melting behaviour at high pressures and under variable oxidation states. The research will address a national priority in sustainability of earth resources i.e. knowledge underpinning formation of Australian mineral resources.Read moreRead less
Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broa ....Experimental constraints on Platinum-Group Element geochemistry: developing lithogeochemical exploration tools for nickel-sulfides in mafic and ultramafic systems. Nickel contributes approximately $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that is coming from sulfide deposits, which are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Discovery rates have been declining for two decades, as the 'easy' targets have been found, despite a broad increase in nickel exploration expenditure to current levels of around $50 million per year. There is a pressing need for new data sets and techniques to allow industry to target new discoveries based on limited drill sampling of potential host rocks. This project forms part of a broader program to harness the igneous geochemistry of the platinum group elements as a powerful pathfinder in nickel exploration.Read moreRead less
The Windimurra-Narndee Layered Complexes, Western Australia. Mineral resources are a major export earner for Australia. If Australia is to continue benefiting from the current minerals boom then new reserves must be continuously found as existing reserves are mined out. The Windimurra-Narndee complexes represent a relatively new exploration target for platinum, nickel, and iron ore. Identification of a new mineral field in remote West Australia would be very good for the regional (and national) ....The Windimurra-Narndee Layered Complexes, Western Australia. Mineral resources are a major export earner for Australia. If Australia is to continue benefiting from the current minerals boom then new reserves must be continuously found as existing reserves are mined out. The Windimurra-Narndee complexes represent a relatively new exploration target for platinum, nickel, and iron ore. Identification of a new mineral field in remote West Australia would be very good for the regional (and national) economy. Furthermore, advancing Australian's understanding of large intrusive systems will further raise international regard for the Australian academic community. The results of this work will help Australian mining companies better explore similar terranes.Read moreRead less