The Coompana Project is a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA), which aims to provide new precompetitive geological, geophysical and geochemical data in the under-explored Coompana Province in South Australia. The pre-drilling geophysics program was undertaken to assist the drilling process by reducing the uncertainty associated with intersecting the targeted stratigraphy. Firstly, the magnetotellurics (MT) technique was tested at six sites where previous drill holes were located to benchmark the application of MT method with respect to estimating cover thickness in the region. Comparison with drill-hole details indicates that the method is capable of identifying major stratigraphic structures and providing cover thickness estimates with a reasonable accuracy (within 10%). Subsequently, MT data were acquired at eight proposed drilling sites in February 2017. 1D and 2D data modelling were undertaken using different algorithms to improve confidence level. Finally, estimates of the cover thickness with specified uncertainty at proposed drilling sites are produced. This report presents MT data acquisition and processing, data inversion and preliminary interpretation of model results. Limitations and uncertainty associated with the MT technique is discussed.

As part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future Program, Broadband and Audio Magnetotelluric (MT) data were acquired at 131 stations in the East Tennant region, Northern Territory, in 2019. This survey aimed to characterise major crustal structures, to map cover thickness to assist in stratigraphic drill targeting, and to help understand mineral potential in the region. The data package was released in December 2019 (http://dx.doi.org/10.26186/5df80d8615367) and the 3D resistivity model was released in March 2020 (https://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/135011). We applied a probabilistic approach to inverting high-frequency MT data for cover thickness estimation using the 1D Rj-McMCMT code, newly developed in Geoscience Australia. The inversion employs multiple Markov chains in parallel to generate an ensemble of millions of resistivity models that adequately fit the data given the assigned noise levels. The algorithm uses trans-dimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo techniques to solve for a probabilistic resistivity-depth model. Once the ensemble of models is generated, its statistics are analysed to assess the posterior probability distribution of the resistivity at any particular depth, as well as the number of layers and the depths of the interfaces. This stochastic approach gives a thorough exploration of the model space and a more robust estimation of uncertainty than deterministic methods allow. This release package includes the results of probabilistic inversion of Audio Magnetotelluric data at the 131 stations. They can be used to estimate cover thickness for drill site planning, and to map the base of geological basins in the region. Model data files are large, but can be made available on request to clientservices@ga.gov.au.

Geoscience Australia in partnership with State and Territory Geological Surveys has applied the magnetotelluric (MT) technique to image Australia’s resistivity structure over the last decade. As part of the Mount Isa Geophysics Initiative program, MT data were collected at 138 sites along a 690 km transect in the South-Eastern Mount Isa. Geoscience Australia undertook data analysis and data inversion to create the most plausible resistivity model. 2D and 3D data modelling were undertaken using well-verified algorithms. The 2D and 3D resistivity models derived from the MT data show some consistent features that are likely to be the real subsurface geology. The near-surface conductive layer resolved by the MT models represents the Carpentaria and Eromanga sedimentary basins reasonably well, in terms of resistivity and thickness. The MT models reveal a predominant crustal-scale conductor, which is interpreted to be part of the Carpentaria Conductivity Anomaly. A number of localised zones of enhanced conductivity are also detected within the crust. These conductors correspond to known major faults identified by seismic and geological data. One of the faults, i.e. the Cork Fault, marks the tectonic boundary between the Mount Isa terrane and the Thomson Orogen. The geometries of these conductive bodies suggest that the enhanced conductivity may be caused by deformation or mineralisation associated with faulting. Some of these faults linking into the middle and lower crust are considered as the primary factors in the partitioning of mineralisation in the region. Results from the magnetotelluric data provide new insights into the understanding of the complex crustal structure where little geological history is known.

Magnetotelluric (MT) measures the natural variations of the Earth' magnetic and electrical (telluric) fields. The Audio-Magnetotelluric method (AMT) samples signal frequencies in the range of 20k Hz down to ~1Hz and provides data pertaining to the upper few kilometres of the Earth' crust. Broadband MT (BBMT) measures frequencies ranging from ~400 Hz down to periods of ~5000 s, providing measures of the conductivity of the crust. AMT and BBMT data were acquired at 138 stations with an interval of 2.5-5.0 km along a 690 km transect extending from Four Ways to Longreach in the South-eastern Mount Isa region. Full-waveform time series data were acquired and processed into frequency-domain transfer functions. Remote reference was applied to eliminate uncorrelated noise. After quality assurance, processed data were exported to industry-standard EDI files containing site info, impedance tensor, apparent resistivity, phase and vertical transfer function.

Magnetotelluric (MT) measures the natural variations of the Earth’ magnetic and electrical (telluric) fields. In 2018, MT data including broadband and audio-magnetotelluric data were collected across the Olympic Domain in South Australia. MT data at 327 sites with spacings from ~1.5km to ~10km were collected by contractor Zonge Engineering and Research Organisation Australia, on behalf of Geological Survey of South Australia and Geoscience Australia. The survey was funded by the Geological Survey of South Australia's PaceCopper Initiative. Six extra MT stations (MASLIN1-6) were collected and funded by Investigator Resources Ltd. They were provided by Geological Survey of South Australia. This data package contains 333 processed edi files across the Olympic Domain in South Australia.

The Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) aims to collect long period magnetotelluric data on a half degree grid across the Australian continent. Data were collected in northern Australia under Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program from 2016 to 2019. This survey covers the area in south parts of Northern Territory and north western region of Queensland. The project aims to improve understanding of the lithospheric structure in northern Australia. It also provide pre-competitive data and knowledge for selecting mineral prospective areas in the under-explored and covered regions. This data package contains the preferred resistivity model and associated information for the project. The report provides details for data acquisition, data process and data inversion. The results provide new insights on the lithospheric architecture and mineral potential in the region.

Magnetotelluric survey data acquired in association with the L189 Gawler-Curnamona-Arrowie Deep Crustal Seismic Survey over the Curnamona Province. This survey was funded through the Onshore Energy Security Program. Data was acquired by Quantec Geoscience. Analysis and modelling was undertaken by Geoscience Australia . The aim of the survey was to produce a two-dimensional image of electrical conductivity structure of the crust and upper mantle over the Curnamona Province. This information is complementary to the reflection seismic and gravity data acquired along the 08GA-C1 traverse. Data are supplied as EDI files with support information.

Long-period magnetotelluric (MT) data allow geoscientists to investigate the link between mineralisation and lithospheric-scale features and processes. In particular, the highly conductive structures imaged by MT data appear to map the pathways of large-scale palaeo-fluid migration, the identification of which is an important element of several mineral system models. Given the importance of these data, governments and academia have united under the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) to collect long-period MT data across the continent on a ~55 km-spaced grid. Here, we use AusLAMP data to demonstrate the MT method as a regional-scale tool to identify and select prospective areas for mineral exploration undercover. We focus on the region between Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and east of Mount Isa in Queensland. Our results image major conductive structures up to 150 km deep in the lithosphere, such as the Carpentaria Conductivity Anomaly east of Mount Isa. This anomaly is a significant lithospheric-scale conductivity structure that shows spatial correlations with a major suture zone and known iron oxide–copper–gold deposits. Our results also identify similar features in several under-explored areas that are now considered to be prospective for mineral discovery. These observations provide a powerful means of selecting frontier regions for mineral exploration undercover.. <b>Citation:</b> Duan, J., Kyi, D., Jiang, W. and Costelloe, M., 2020. AusLAMP: imaging the Australian lithosphere for resource potential, an example from northern Australia. In: Czarnota, K., Roach, I., Abbott, S., Haynes, M., Kositcin, N., Ray, A. and Slatter, E. (eds.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 1–4.

Magnetotelluric (MT) measures the natural variations of the Earth’ magnetic and electrical (telluric) fields. MT data were collected at forty-three sites in the Coompana region in Apr 2016 and Feb 2017. The instruments used were Phoenix Geophysics equipment including MTU-5A receiver, MTC-150L coils and PE5 electrodes. Time series data were processed into frequency domain using remote reference and Robust Processing scheme. After quality assurance, processed data were exported to industry-standard EDI files. Time series data are available on request from clientservices@ga.gov.au.

As part of the Australian Government's Onshore Energy Security Program (2006-2011) Geoscience Australia in collaboration with Geological Survey of Western Australia acquired magnetotelluric (MT) data along the deep crustal seismic reflection transect across the Yilgarn Craton, Officer Basin and Musgrave Province in Central Western Australia. The aim of the MT survey is to map the electrical resistivity distribution and improve scientific understanding of the crustal and upper mantle structure in this region. This information is complementary to that obtained from deep crustal seismic reflection, seismic refraction, potential field and geological data, which together provide new knowledge of the crustal architecture and geodynamics of the region. It is important for helping to determine the potential for both mineral and energy resources. Data are supplied as EDI files with support information.