The footprint of a mineral system is potentially detectable at a variety of scales, from ore deposits to the Earth’s crust and lithosphere. To map these systems, Geoscience Australia has undertaken a series of integrated studies to identify key regions of mineral potential using new data from the Exploring for the Future program, together with legacy datasets. The conductivity anomaly mapped from long-period magnetotellurics (AusLAMP) data with a half-degree resolution has highlighted a structural corridor to the east of Tennant Creek, representing a potential source region for iron oxide copper–gold mineral systems. To refine the geometry of this anomaly, we used a higher-resolution magnetotellurics survey to investigate if the deep conductivity anomaly is linked to the near surface by crustal-scale fluid pathways. The 3D conductivity model revealed two prominent conductors in the resistive host, whose combined responses result in the lithospheric-scale conductivity anomaly mapped in the AusLAMP model. The resistivity contrasts coincide with major structures preliminarily interpreted from seismic reflection and potential field data. Most importantly, the conductive structures extend from the lower crust to the near surface. This observation strongly suggests that the major faults in this region are deep-penetrating structures that potentially acted as pathways for transporting metalliferous fluids to the upper crust where they could form mineral deposits. This result indicates high mineral prospectivity for iron oxide copper–gold deposits in the vicinity of these major faults. This study demonstrates that integration of geophysical data from multiscale surveys is an effective approach to scale reduction during mineral exploration in covered terranes with limited geological knowledge. <b>Citation:</b> Jiang, W., Duan, J., Schofield, A. and Clark, A., 2020. Mapping crustal structures through scale reduction magnetotelluric survey in the East Tennant region, 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. 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.

Over the last decade there has been an exponential growth in MT data acquisition over the Australian Continent through collaboration between Geoscience Australia, state and territory governments and academics. This data is resulting in a step change in our understanding of the lithosphere and basin architecture. Abstract submitted/presented at 2017 Target Conference (https://www.aig.org.au/events/target-2017/)

Geoscience Australia is the custodian of the most comprehensive publicly available Australian airborne magnetic, gamma-ray, seismic, electromagnetic and gravity data sets. The airborne geophysics data set contains approximately 34 million line kilometres of data, which, at current prices, would cost approximately $197 million to acquire. The gravity data set contains more than 1.57 million reliable onshore stations gathered during more than 1800 surveys. The collection also includes a large number of seismic surveys from Australia's offshore basins. The onshore component of this data set was previously approved for RDSI for 8 TB. This proposal extends the collection to 150TB. The data types and access methods for the Offshore and Onshore data are identical Certain holdings are additionally hosted at the NCI (see downloads)

We have developed a Bayesian inference algorithm and released open-source code for the 1D inversion of audio-frequency magnetotelluric data. The algorithm uses trans-dimensional Markov chain Monte Carlo to solve for a probabilistic resistivity-depth model. 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 trans-dimensional aspect of the inversion means that the number of layers in the resistivity model is solved for rather than being predetermined. The inversion scheme favours a parsimonious solution, and the acceptance criterion ratio is theoretically derived such that the Markov chain will eventually converge to an ensemble that is a good approximation of the posterior probability density (PPD). Once the ensemble of models is generated, its statistics are analysed to assess the PPD and to quantify model uncertainties. This approach gives a thorough exploration of model space and a more robust estimation of uncertainty than deterministic methods allow. We demonstrate the application of the method to cover thickness estimation for a number of regional drilling programs. Comparison with borehole results demonstrates that the method is capable of identifying major stratigraphic structures with resistivity contrasts. Our results have assisted with drill site targeting, and have helped to reduce the uncertainty and risk associated with intersecting targeted stratigraphic units in covered terrains. Interpretation of the audio-frequency magnetotelluric data has also improved our understanding of the distribution and geometries of sedimentary basins undercover. From an exploration perspective, mapping sedimentary basins and covered near-surface geological features supports the effective search for mineral deposits in greenfield areas. <b>Citation: </b> Wenping Jiang, Ross C. Brodie, Jingming Duan, Ian Roach, Neil Symington, Anandaroop Ray, James Goodwin, Probabilistic inversion of audio-frequency magnetotelluric data and application to cover thickness estimation for mineral exploration in Australia, <i>Journal of Applied Geophysics</i>, Volume 208, 2023, 104869, ISSN 0926-9851, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2022.104869.

<p>The East Tennant Magnetotelluric (MT) Survey is funded under Geoscience Australia’s (GA) Exploring for the Future program. The survey is aimed to assist in regional stratigraphic drilling program to understand basement architecture and mineral potential in the east of Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. The survey covers an area of approximate 90 km x 100 km. Geoscience Australia contracted Zonge Engineering and Research Organisation (Australia) to undertake the survey from 22nd July to 19th Aug 2019. Broadband Magnetotelluric and Audio Magnetotelluric data were acquired at 131 stations with site spacing of ~2 km to ~15 km. <p>This data package includes MT data originally processed by the contractor and edited MT data by GA for modelling purpose. All the data were industry-standard EDI files. <p>Time series data are available on request from clientservices@ga.gov.au

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, which is an important element of several mineral systems. New data were collected as part of the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) under Geoscience Australia Exploring for the Future (EFTF) program in northern Australian. We use this dataset to demonstrate that the MT method is a valuable tool for mapping lithospheric-scale features and for selecting prospective areas for mineral exploration. Our results image a number of major conductive structures at depths up to ~200 km or deeper in the survey region, for example, the Carpentaria Conductivity Anomaly in east of Mount Isa; and the Tanami Conductive Anomaly along the Willowra Suture Zone. These significant anomalies are lithospheric- scale highly conductive structures, and show spatial correlations with major suture zones and known mineral deposits. These results provide important first-order information for lithospheric architecture and possible large footprint of mineral systems. Large-scale crustal/mantle conductivity anomalies mapping fluid pathways associated with major sutures/faults may have implications for mineral potential. These results provide evidence that some mineralisation occurs at the gradient of or over highly conductive structures at lower crustal and lithospheric mantle depths. These observations provide a powerful means of highlighting greenfields for mineral exploration in under-explored and covered regions.

This OGC compliant service provides access to magnetotelluric data and associated products, which have been produced by Geoscience Australia’s Magnetotelluric Program. This program includes regional magnetotelluric projects and the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP), a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia, the State and Northern Territory geological surveys, universities, and other research organisations. The data provided in this service comprise resistivity model depth sections and the locations of sites used in these studies.

This OGC compliant service provides access to magnetotelluric data and associated products, which have been produced by Geoscience Australia’s Magnetotelluric Program. This program includes regional magnetotelluric projects and the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP), a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia, the State and Northern Territory geological surveys, universities, and other research organisations. The data provided in this service comprise resistivity model depth sections and the locations of sites used in these studies.

This OGC compliant service provides access to magnetotelluric data and associated products, which have been produced by Geoscience Australia’s Magnetotelluric Program. This program includes regional magnetotelluric projects and the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP), a collaborative project between Geoscience Australia, the State and Northern Territory geological surveys, universities, and other research organisations. The data provided in this service comprise resistivity model depth sections and the locations of sites used in these studies.