North West Queensland Mineral Province

Stimulating exploration in the North West Queensland Mineral Province

North-west Queensland is globally recognised as a strong and competitive mineral producing region with high-quality copper, silver, lead, zinc, gold and phosphate deposits.

The long-term future of Queensland's buoyant minerals industry is dependent upon new mineral discoveries and improved infrastructure to extend the lives of mines in the area. Many of the mines in north-west Queensland are at a mature stage of the mining cycle and several operations in the region may be mined out during the period 2015-20.

North West Queensland Mineral Province

The North West Queensland Mineral Province (NWQMP), centred on the Mount Isa-Cloncurry region, boasts a significant portion of the world's known lead and zinc resources as well as large resources of silver, copper and gold.

The Mount Isa/George Fisher mining and metallurgical complex has been in operation almost 80 years, and is the mainstay of the region's base metal production.

Other mines in the area include:

• Century mine, operated by Zinifex Limited and located 250 km north-north-west of Mount Isa, is the second largest producing zinc mine in the world
• Cannington underground mine, operated by BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd and located 180 km southwest of Julia Creek, is one of the world's largest producing silver and lead mines.

Considered world-class in terms of its base metal production and new mineral projects, the province has high potential for new discoveries.

Despite being highly prospective, many areas within the province remain relatively under-explored. However, new geophysical data is identifying new exploration targets, including petroleum and geothermal targets, in potential host rocks under sedimentary cover.

• North West Queensland Mineral Province - Map (PDF, 693 kB)*

Production

In 2006-07, mineral production for the NWQMP region was valued at A$6.66 billion, largely of base metals from about 14 significant mines.

What is the Queensland Government doing?

Queensland Mines and Energy continues to actively promote the NWQMP as a desirable exploration destination for both mineral and energy resources.

The Queensland Government has two dedicated exploration programs, (Smart Exploration and Smart Mining - Future Prosperity), totalling A$49 million, which focus on attracting increased investment to frontier and under-explored parts of Queensland such as the NWQMP.

Queensland Mines and Energy is successfully administering these programs and ensuring the future prosperity of the state by supporting the exploration industry and positioning Queensland as a premier mineral exploration destination.

New geophysical and geological data

Geophysical data acquisition across the Mount Isa-Cloncurry region under the A$20 million, four-year Smart Exploration program which commenced in July 2005 has now been completed.

New geophysical data from gravity and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys has been acquired in the areas to the west, south and east of Mount Isa.

A further three airborne geophysical surveys, extended data coverage north-east of Mount Isa and in the Croydon and Westmoreland areas.

The new data are designed to stimulate further exploration interest in the province. Particularly when combined with new seismic data, geological mapping and drillhole information, as these equip explorers to identify exploration targets while lowering their financial and exploration risk.

Exploration opportunities

A key strategy involves the temporary creation of Restricted Areas over geophysical anomalies identified on untenured land. The geophysical data have been acquired under the Smart Exploration program.

Restricted Areas are being progressively repealed enabling applications for exploration permits for minerals to be made.

As at August 2009:

• 36 Restricted Areas have been created over geophysical anomalies that may indicate rocks capable of hosting mineralisation
• 9 Restricted Areas have been repealed, 4 each on 17 June 2007,30 March 2008, and RA 321 in three stages from 15 February to 14 June 2009.

New energy sources - petroleum and geothermal

The Queensland Government recognises that the availability of competitively priced energy is important in the NWQMP reaching its full potential.

Queensland Mines and Energy is working with the Department of Infrastructure and Planning to facilitate private investment which includes exploration to find additional sources of energy in the NWQMP through petroleum and geothermal calls for tenders.

• current petroleum calls for tenders includes 15 areas in the Galilee Basin between Longreach-Winton-Hughenden.  The Galilee Basin region is prospective for petroleum and coal seam gas and may provide a source of competitive priced energy for the NWQMP.

Grants to industry

As at 1 August 2009, 37 drilling projects in the NWQMP have been pledged grants totalling $3.558 million under the Smart Mining - Future Prosperity program.

Further information

Queensland Mines and Energy
Department of Employment
Economic Development and Innovation
PO Box 15216, City East Qld 4002
Phone: + 61 7 3237 1414
Email Exploration Strategies
Exploration opportunities website

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