Increases in atmospheric CO¬2 cause the oceanic surface water to continuously acidify, which has multiple and profound impacts on coastal and continental shelf environments. Here we present the carbonate mineral composition in surface sediments from a range of continental shelf seabed environments and their current and predicted stability under ocean acidifying conditions. Samples come from the following four tropical Australian regions. 1. Capricorn Reef (southern end of the Great Barrier Reef). 2. The Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. 3. Torres Strait. 4. The eastern Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Outside of the near-shore zone, these regions typically have a carbonate content in surface sediments of 80 wt% or more. The abundance of high magnesium-calcites (HMC) dominates over aragonite (Arag) and low magnesium-calcite (LMC) and makes up between 36 and 50% of all carbonate. HMC is significantly more soluble than Arag and LMC and the solubility of HMC positively correlates with its magnesium concentration. Using the solubility data by Plummer and Mackenzie (1974) (1), 96% of HMC in the four regions is presently in thermodynamic equilibrium or slightly supersaturated relative to global mean tropical sea surface water. When the modelled saturation state for aragonite in equatorial areas for this century (2) is converted into HMC saturation state curves, HMC is predicted to become undersaturated in the four regions between 2040 to 2080 AD with typical HMC decline rates between 2 and 5% per year. The range of respective estimated carbonate dissolution rates is expected to exceed current continental shelf carbonate accumulation rates leading to net dissolution of carbonate during the period of HMC decline. In a geological context, the decline in HMC is a global event in tropical continental shelf environments triggered by reaching below-equilibrium conditions. The characteristic change in carbonate mineral composition in continental shelf sediments will serve as a geological marker for the proposed Anthropocene Epoch.

The rare-earth elements (REE) are a group of seventeen speciality metals that have unique and diverse chemical, magnetic, and luminescent properties that make them strategically important in a number of high-technology industries. Consequently, the REE are increasingly becoming more attractive commodity targets for the mineral industry. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the distribution, geological characteristics and resources of Australia's major REE deposits. REE in Australia are associated with igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks in a wide range of geological environments. Elevated concentrations of these elements have been documented in various heavy-mineral sand deposits (beach, dune, marine tidal, and channel), carbonatite intrusions, (per)alkaline igneous rocks, iron-oxide breccia complexes, calc-silicate rocks (skarns), fluorapatite veins, pegmatites, phosphorites, fluviatile sandstones, unconformity-related uranium deposits, and lignites. The distribution and concentration of REE in these deposits are influenced by various rock-forming processes including enrichment in magmatic or hydrothermal fluids, separation into mineral species and precipitation, and subsequent redistribution and concentration through weathering and other surface processes. The lanthanide series of REE (lanthanum to lutetium) and yttrium, show a close genetic and spatial association with alkaline felsic igneous rocks, however, scandium in laterite profiles has a closer affinity with ultramafic/mafic igneous rocks.

This web service delivers data from an aggregation of sources, including several Geoscience Australia databases (provinces (PROVS), mineral resources (OZMIN), energy systems (AERA, ENERGY_SYSTEMS) and water (HYDROGEOLOGY). Information is grouped based on a modified version of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Indigenous Regions (IREG). Data covers population centres, top industries, a regional summary, groundwater resources and uses, energy production and potential across six sources and two energy storage options. Mineral production and potential covers 36 commodities that are grouped into 13 groups.

This web service delivers data from an aggregation of sources, including several Geoscience Australia databases (provinces (PROVS), mineral resources (OZMIN), energy systems (AERA, ENERGY_SYSTEMS) and water (HYDROGEOLOGY). Information is grouped based on a modified version of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Indigenous Regions (IREG). Data covers population centres, top industries, a regional summary, groundwater resources and uses, energy production and potential across six sources and two energy storage options. Mineral production and potential covers 36 commodities that are grouped into 13 groups.

This short video summarises the value of Geoscience Australia's work to the discovery, development and export of Australia's mineral and energy commodities. The video is from a series of six films produced to communicate Geoscience Australia's value to the nation. Further information about the agency's work in this area can be found at http://www.ga.gov.au/value-to-the-nation

This report comprises notes concerning the situation, occurrence, analysis, and production of dolomite at Cow Flat.

This guide provides information on investing in minerals and petroleum in Australia. It is for distribution at conferences and online. The chapters are 01. MINERALS AND PETROLEUM AND THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY 02. EXPLORING FOR MINERALS IN AUSTRALIA 03. EXPLORING FOR PETROLEUM IN AUSTRALIA 04. ROLE OF GOVERNMENT 05. FOREIGN INVESTMENT GUIDELINES AND BUSINESS ENTRY INTO AUSTRALIA 06. ONSHORE APPROVAL PROCESSES 07. OFFSHORE APPROVAL PROCESSES 08. INDUSTRY GROWTH CENTRES 09. SOCIAL LICENCE TO OPERATE 10. MINE HEALTH AND SAFETY 11. WORKING VISAS, IMMIGRATION AND SKILLS 12. INDIGENOUS ENGAGEMENT 13. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE 14. MINING EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES 15. TARIFFS AND CUSTOMS DUTY CONCESSIONS 16. TAXATION-GENERAL 17. TAXATION-PETROLEUM 18. TAXATION-MINERALS

This web service delivers data from an aggregation of sources, including several Geoscience Australia databases (provinces (PROVS), mineral resources (OZMIN), energy systems (AERA, ENERGY_SYSTEMS) and water (HYDROGEOLOGY). Information is grouped based on a modified version of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Indigenous Regions (IREG). Data covers population centres, top industries, a regional summary, groundwater resources and uses, energy production and potential across six sources and two energy storage options. Mineral production and potential covers 36 commodities that are grouped into 13 groups.

This guide provides information on investing in minerals and petroleum in Australia. This 2017 version is for distribution at conferences and online. The chapters are: 01. Minerals and petroleum and the Australian economy 02. Exploring for minerals in Australia 03. Exploring for petroleum in Australia 04. Role of government 05. Foreign investment guidelines and business entry into Australia 06. Onshore approval processes 07. Offshore approval processes 08. Industry growth centres 09. Social licence to operate 10. Mine health and safety 11. Working visas, immigration and skills 12. Indigenous engagement 13. Transport infrastructure 14. Mining equipment, technology and services 15. Tariffs and customs duty concessions 16. Taxation - General 17. Taxation - petroleum 18. Taxation - minerals 19. Appendix A

The mineral resources sector plays a vital role in Australia’s ongoing economic prosperity. The sector dominates the nation’s export earnings, provides substantial direct and indirect employment and investment in regional and indigenous communities, supports downstream and service industries, and delivers essential revenue to governments.