The Exploring for the Future program Showcase 2024 was held on 13-16 August 2024. Day 4 - 16th August talks included: <b>Session 1 – Deep Dives into the Delamerian</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/09knAwPnD7s?si=acdu6pQgIj7DNlnj">Scaffold to success: An overview of the Delamerian Orogen, and its crustal and lithospheric architecture</a> - Chris Lewis <a href="https://youtu.be/5GQC5f5IkWc?si=rLPqxoZFkxGAEPEf">Only time will tell: Crustal development of the Delamerian Orogen in space and time</a> - David Mole <a href="https://youtu.be/PhdIYE49eqU?si=d7acyv5rbTW_wTiO">Is it a big deal? New mineral potential insights of the Delamerian Orogen</a> - Dr Yanbo Cheng <b>Session 2 – Deep dives into Birrindudu, West Musgrave and South Nicholson–Georgina regions</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/DEbkcgqwLE8?si=sBKGaMTq_mheURib">Northwest Northern Territory Seismic Survey: Resource studies and results</a> - Paul Henson <a href="https://youtu.be/k9vwBa1fM9E?si=VOG19nBC1DAk-jGH">Tracing Ancient Rivers: A hydrogeological investigation of the West Musgrave Region</a> - Joshua Lester <a href="https://youtu.be/Du1JANovz8M?si=1XEOF87gxhSP9UF3">Water's journey: Understanding groundwater dynamics in the South Nicholson and Georgina basins, NT and QLD </a>- Dr Prachi Dixon-Jain <b>Session 3 – Groundwater systems of the Curnamona and upper Darling-Baaka River</b> <a href="https://youtu.be/nU8dpekmEHQ?si=WygIzefKNzsU4gUA">Groundwater systems of the upper Darling-Baaka floodplain: An integrated assessment</a> - Dr Sarah Buckerfield <a href="https://youtu.be/AKOhuDEPxIA?si=ebradAT6EBwHhPQ_">Potential for a Managed Aquifer Recharge Scheme in the upper Darling-Baaka floodplain: Wilcannia region</a> - Dr Kok Piang Tan <a href="https://youtu.be/epUdD8ax2FQ?si=_aMO_e_ZDZESgLOR">Aquifer alchemy: Decoding mineral clues in the Curnamona region</a> - Ivan Schroder Exploring for the Future: Final reflection – Karol Czarnota Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity – Andrew Heap View or download the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/149800">Exploring for the Future - An overview of Australia’s transformational geoscience program</a> publication. View or download the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.26186/149743">Exploring for the Future - Australia's transformational geoscience program</a> publication. You can access full session and Q&A recordings from YouTube here: 2024 Showcase Day 4 - Session 1 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nuIQsl71cY">Deep Dives into the Delamerian</a> 2024 Showcase Day 4 - Session 2 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N3dIZRAcHk">Deep dives into Birrindudu, West Musgrave and South Nicholson–Georgina regions</a> 2024 Showcase Day 4 - Session 3 - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ddvLAnUdOI">Groundwater systems of the Curnamona and upper Darling-Baaka River</a>

<div><strong>Output Type: </strong>Exploring for the Future Extended Abstract</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Short Abstract: </strong>Communities and ecosystems along the Darling-Baaka River have been impacted by critical water shortages and water quality issues including high salinity, algal blooms, and fish kills due to declining surface water flows. The river is characterised by naturally highly variable flows and is the primary water source for the region, but extraction and a meteorological drying trend associated with climate change have caused declines in discharge of 53–73% since the advent of post-settlement agriculture and industry. Understanding of the spatial extent, quality, and useability of lower salinity groundwater within the surrounding Darling Alluvium, which could provide an alternative and potentially more sustainable water source, was previously limited. Here we present the findings of an integrated study combining modelled ground and airborne geophysical data, groundwater and surface water levels, hydrochemistry, lithology, and remote sensing data to delineate groundwater systems and understand the geological and hydrological controls on their occurrence. The resolution and breadth of datasets acquired and collated permit mapping of the key factors controlling occurrence and quality of groundwater aquifers, namely basement topography and hydrostratigraphy, groundwater-surface water dynamics, and inter-aquifer connectivity. On this basis the study area can be sub-divided into regions with distinctive aquifer distribution and quality, recharge mechanisms, and pressure gradients between aquifers. We also showed that the groundwater levels in the unconfined aquifer have declined, an expected outcome of the decline in discharge in the Darling-Baaka River which forms the primary recharge mechanism for the alluvial aquifers. These outputs have direct implications for key management questions including location and quantity of potentially useable groundwater, risk of saline groundwater up-coning or discharging to the river, and likelihood of groundwater extraction impacting river flows and groundwater dependent ecosystems.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Citation: </strong>Buckerfield, S., McPherson, A., Tan, K.P., Walsh, C., Buchanan, S., Kilgour, P., Suckow, A., Raiber, M., Symington, N. & Pincus, J., 2024. Groundwater systems of the Upper Darling-Baaka River Floodplain. In: Czarnota, K. (ed.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts. Geoscience Australia, Canberra. https://doi.org/10.26186/149718</div>

<div>A groundwater chemistry, regolith chemistry and metadata record for legacy geochemical studies over the southern Curnamona Province done by GA and partners as part of CRC LEME from 1999 to 2005, that was never fully released. This includes comprehensive groundwater chemistry from more than 250 bores in the Broken Hill region, containing physicochemical parameters, major and trace elements, and a suite of isotopes (34S, Pb, Sr, 18O, D). Recent work on this dataset (in 2021) has added hydrostratigraphic information for these groundwater samples. Also included is a regolith geochemistry dataset collected adjacent to some of the groundwater bores which tests the geochemical response of a range of different size fractions, depths and digests.</div>

<div>This study is part of the Mineral Potential Assessment (MPA) module of Geoscience Australia's Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian (DCD) project, a deep-dive project within the Exploring for the Future Program (EFTF) 2020-2024. An objective of the DCD project is to further the understanding of the geological architecture of the Delamerian Orogen into a cohesive framework enable a regional mineral potential assessment of this under-explored and mostly under cover Orogen. The MPA module is one of eight modules under the umbrella of the DCD project. To facilitate assessment of the mineral potential of the project area, the mineral potential assessment study has 3 key scientific objectives: (1) Defining the characteristics of the mineral systems / prospects. (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;Evaluating the temporal framework of the formation of mineral systems / prospects; and (3) Understanding the regional magma fertility. This study delivers Objective 1, i.e., outlining the principle geological and metallogenic characteristics of reported mineral prospects in the project area.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Legacy drill cores best demonstrating metallogenic features of different mineral system types at key prospects across the project area were selected for viewing and sampling following review of historical exploration reports and assay results. Four sets of data are included in the appendices of this report: (1)&nbsp;&nbsp;HyLogger spectral images of 20 drill holes of 8 prospects in New South Wales. (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;143 high-resolution scan files of legacy drill core samples across the project area. (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;16 microscopic images of thin sections for 4 prospects of the Loch Lilly-Kars Belt, New South Wales. (4)&nbsp;&nbsp;53 Backscattered Electron (BSE) images and 53 Advanced Mineral Identification and Characterization System (AMICS) high-resolution mineral maps of 53 samples from 18 prospects across the whole Delamerian Margin.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Metallogenic characteristics of samples from four different mineral deposit types were studied, along deposits of uncertain affiliation (referred here as undefined systems), including (1) Porphyry-epithermal mineral systems. (2)&nbsp;&nbsp;Volcanic hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) mineral systems. (3)&nbsp;&nbsp;Orogenic gold mineral systems. (4)&nbsp;&nbsp;Mafic-ultramafic Cu-Ni-PGE mineral systems. (5)&nbsp;&nbsp;Metallogenetically undefined systems. Detailed metallogenic characteristics of the samples from 22 key prospects in Delamerian Orogen are documented in this report.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This is the first systemic study on the essential metallogenic characteristics of the mineral systems in Delamerian. The characterisations outlined in this report are foundational for understanding the regional metallogenesis and assessing the potential of multiple types of mineral systems in the Delamerian Belt, which should be useful in both academic and the mineral exploration sector.</div><div><br></div><div>The high-resolution BSE and AMICS mineral maps are available at Geoscience Australia. Please reach out to the senior author of this GA Record, Dr. Yanbo Cheng (Yanbo.cheng@ga.gov.au). </div>

The Upper Darling Floodplain AEM Survey is part of the Exploring for the Future Program. This scientific research is being carried out to obtain data that will enhance understanding of the groundwater resources of the upper Darling River region. This information will support future water resource management decision-making in the region.

<div>The Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian (DCD) project focused on the covered portion of the Delamerian orogen, situated in the south-eastern mainland states of Australia.&nbsp;The aims of the project were to develop a greater understanding of the geodynamic history of the Delamerian Orogen, characterise known magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems, and assess mineral potential for a suite of minerals including copper (Cu), gold (Au), and nickel (Ni), and critical minerals like platinum-group elements (PGEs) and rare-earth elements (REEs). </div><div>Here, we collate whole rock geochemistry data from new and legacy samples of mafic to intermediate magmatic rocks of the Loch Lilly-Kars Belt in order to determine the likely source of these magmas and constrain the prevailing tectonic setting during their emplacement. We apply multi-elemental diagrams and various elemental discrimination diagrams to characterise various groups of magmatic rocks in these belts, taking into account their geographic affinity and new geochronological data (e.g. Mole et al., 2023; Mole et al., 2024). The geochemical characteristics of these groups and the implications for the tectonic setting into which they were emplaced are discussed. Comparisons are made with potentially similar magmatic rocks of the&nbsp;Koonenberry Belt and Grampians-Stavely Zone. Results from this study have significant implications for the tectonic setting in which the Loch Lilly-Kars Belt developed, and hence also the mineral potential of the Belt. </div><div> </div>

<div>Near-surface magnetizations are ubiquitous across many areas of Australia and complicate reliable estimation of depth to deeper magnetizations. We have selected four test areas in which we use equivalent source dipoles to represent and quantify the near-surface magnetizations. We present a synthetic modelling study that demonstrates that field variations from the near-surface magnetizations substantially degrade estimation of depth to a magnetization 500 metres below the modelled sensor elevation and that these problems persist even for anomalies with significantly higher amplitudes. However, preferential attenuation of the fields from near surface magnetizations by upward continuation proved quite effective in improving estimation of depth to those magnetizations.</div> This Abstract was submitted/presented at the 2023 Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference (AEGC) 13-18 March (https://2023.aegc.com.au/)

<div>A keynote talk talk given at Uncover Curnamona 2022 by Angela O'Rourke outlining the rationale, work program and new data acquisition for Geoscience Australia's Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian Project within Exploring for the Future</div> This presentation was given to the 2022 Uncover Curnamona 2022 Conference 31 May - 2 June:<br>(https://www.gsa.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/Events/Uncover%20Curnamona%202021/UC2022_short_program_A4_web%20(003).pdf)

This report contains new whole-rock and isotope geochemical data, associated sample metadata, an assessment of the data’s quality assurance, for 742 samples collected in and around the Curnamona and Delamerian provinces, across numerous drillcore sampling campaigns through 2021-23. The data can be downloaded via the Geoscience Australia EFTF portal (https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/eftf) or in the files attached with this record (http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/148651). Geochemical sampling in the Curnamona region straddles both South Australia and New South Wales. The objective of sampling was to obtain representative coverage (both stratigraphically and spatially) to support developing regional geochemical baselines (in conjunction with existing geochemistry). Thus, this sampling included both the Curnamona Province and the overlying basins (Eromanga Basin, Lake Eyre Basin). Whole-rock geochemistry is reported for 562 samples, with a subset of 13 samples analysed for Pb and Sr isotopes, and another subset of 36 samples analysed by thin section petrography (all presented herein). Geochemical sampling in the Delamerian region has focussed on available legacy drill core in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The objective of sampling was to (systematically) constrain the geochemical character of magmatic rocks across the mainland extent of the Delamerian Orogen, as well as younger volcanics within the Delamerian Orogen and/or overlying cover. This geochemical sampling was conducted in conjunction with geochronology, mineral systems sampling and stratigraphic drilling (all components of the DCD project) to reinterpret the timing, character and fertility of the Delamerian Orogen. Whole-rock geochemistry is reported for 180 samples. Version 2.0 (published 28 November 2023) has added whole rock geochemistry for 22 new samples in the Delamerian region. The data products and report have been updated accordingly.

<div>Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program provides precompetitive information to inform decision-making by government, community and industry on the sustainable development of Australia's mineral, energy and groundwater resources. By gathering, analysing and interpreting new and existing precompetitive geoscience data and knowledge, we are building a national picture of Australia’s geology and resource potential. This leads to a strong economy, resilient society and sustainable environment for the benefit of all Australians. This includes supporting Australia’s transition to net zero emissions, strong, sustainable resources and agriculture sectors, and economic opportunities and social benefits for Australia’s regional and remote communities. The Exploring for the Future program, which commenced in 2016, is an eight year, $225m investment by the Australian Government.</div><div><br></div><div>During February and March in 2023, Geoscience Australia undertook the Curnamona Cube Extension Magnetotelluric (MT) Survey in western New South Wales and eastern South Australia. The survey complements the University of Adelaide/AuScope Curnamona Cube MT survey by extending the coverage from the Curnamona Province into the Delamerian Orogen. Geoscience Australia contracted Quantec Geoscience Ltd. and its subcontractor Australian Geophysical Services to conduct the data acquisition and processing.&nbsp;Audio and broadband MT data was acquired at 99 sites on an approximately 12.5-25&nbsp;km grid with denser sites across known geological structures and along seismic lines acquired by Geoscience Australia in 2022 (L213 Darling-Curnamona-Delamerian (DCD) 2D Seismic Survey, eCAT # 147423). Instruments were set up to record five channels (three magnetic and two electric fields) for a minimum of 24 hours with a target bandwidth of 0.0001 – 1000 s. Processed data show good quality at a majority of the survey sites, except a few sites affected by environmental and cultural noise. The acquired data will be used to derive resistivity models, and to enhance the understanding of the geodynamics and mineral potential in the Curnamona Province and Delamerian Orogen.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>This data release contains a field logistic report; processed data in EDI format containing spectra and site locations in shape file and .txt format. Time series data in ASCII format is available on request from clientservices@ga.gov.au - Quote eCAT#147904.</div><div><br></div><div>Geoscience Australia acknowledges the traditional landowners, private landholders and national park authorities within the survey region, without whose cooperation these data could not have been collected.</div><div><br></div>