Eastern Queensland Mapping Projects

North Queensland Gold and Base Metals Study

A major study of the North Queensland Gold and Base Metals province is being undertaken with the aim of :-

• Updating geological mapping in the region following the capture of high-resolution geophysical data and continued company exploration
• Compiling a seamless solid geology coverage
• Updating the attributes of geological units
• Including the most up to date mineral occurrence data
• Developing mineralisation models and identifying new exploration models for the area

Outputs to date are two GIS packages with updated geological and solid geology maps for the Georgetown and Charters Towers regions together with mineral occurrence data. New printed maps for the Georgetown region have also been produced.

New mapping in the Georgetown Inlier has resulted in subdivision of the Einasleigh Metamorphics and better resolution of their structure. The stratigraphy in the eastern Georgetown Inlier has undergone some revision. While the link between the Balcooma Metamorphics and the Cambrian to Ordovician Seventy Mile Range Group south of Charters Towers has been established, the older Oasis Metamorphics and Halls Reward Metamorphics are considered to be equivalent to the Cape River Metamorphics in the Charters Towers region. This correlation is now believed to also extend to the Early Palaeozoic Charters Towers Metamorphics and parts of the Running River Metamorphics.

Past gold production has been mainly from the Etheridge goldfield in the Georgetown region and the Cape River, Charters Towers and Ravenswood fields in the Charters Towers region. While mineralisation models in the Cape River field are poorly understood, a correlation of the host rocks with the eastern Georgetown Inlier expands the exploration potential of the latter region.

The third stage of the North Queensland Gold and Base Metals study aims to extend the digital GIS coverage north from the already released Georgetown/Charters Towers GIS into the Hodgkinson Province as far north as Princess Charlotte Bay. Revisions of the geology in this area include several newly delineated intrusive units and subdivision of the Hodgkinson Basin into a number of lithostructural units, based mainly on their radiometric signatures. A magnetic interpretative layer will be included in the Hodgkinson coverage outlining geological features in outcropping areas as well as in areas covered by the Laura Basin. Geophysical images and updated mineral occurrence data will be included in the package. In addition, a predictive numerical fluid flow modelling analysis of the fault-related slate-belt gold deposits of the central and eastern Hodgkinson Province is intended to be included in the package accompanied by a 3D geological model of the province.

For more information contact:

Ian Withnall (Georgetown)
Telephone +61 7 3362 9363

or
Laurie Hutton (Charters Towers)
Telephone: +61 7 3362 9347

or
Paul Donchak (Hodgkinson)
Telephone: + 61 7 3362 9339

Central Queensland Project

The Central Queensland project, covering the coastal region from Mackay to Mundubbera, is close to completion. Final reports are being compiled and edited and will be published over the next few months.

The project consisted of two parts, the first (Yarrol) centred on Mount Morgan, and the second (South Connors-Aubum-Gogango) covering the area to the north and south. Geological mapping, mineral occurrence mapping, and some assessment of potential mineral resources were carried out. Twenty-seven hard copy geological maps at a scale of 1: 100 000 were generated by the project. Data from the investigation were captured into a departmental information system, and manipulated within a project GIS environment.

Data and interpretations are included in the Central Queensland GIS, which integrates previous and newly acquired geoscientific information, and updated mineral prospectivity models linking geological characteristics with potential for mineralisation.

 For more information contact:

Cec Murray
Telephone: +61 7 3362 9353

Mount Rawdon Project

The Mount Rawdon corridor in central south-east Queensland contains Devonian to Carboniferous age rocks of the New England Orogen, Permian rocks of the Gympie Province and Mesozoic sediments and volcanics including the Aranbanga Volcanic Group in the Esk Trough.

The corridor contains one of Queensland's significant operating gold mines, the Mount Rawdon gold mine producing approximately 90 000 oz per year. The mine is hosted by the Late Triassic Aranbanga Volcanic Group, which coincides with the main gold mineralising event of the region.

The Department is  applying information from a recent geophysical survey to assist with updated geological mapping to be completed in 2009.

For more information contact:

Friedrich von Gnielinski
Telephone: +61 7 3362 9362

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South-East Queensland Project

The Geological Survey of Queensland is contributing geological and mineral deposit mapping to the Warwick-Tweed Heads (1:250 000 Sheet areas) Project, being undertaken in cooperation with the Geological Survey of New South Wales.

This was essentially completed during 2002, apart from final compilation of mineral occurrence data in the Allora 1:100 000 Sheet area.

A map and report will be issued in the near future.

Further geological and mineral occurrence mapping and compilation is being carried out in the Texas and Inglewood 1:100 000 Sheet areas.

For further information contact:

Paul Donchak
Telephone: + 61 7 3362 9339

or

Geological Survey of Queensland
Block A 80 Meiers Road Indooroopilly Qld 4068

or the geological information hotline
(07) 3006 4666 (9.00am to 4.00pm EST on working days)

or email the Geological Information Hotline

Last Updated 18 December 2008