The Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) Geoscience and Resource Strategy Division (GRSD), formerly Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA), promotes mineral exploration investment by improving the geological understanding of Western Australia, providing geoscientific data to the exploration industry, improving exploration efficiency, and helping to reduce exploration risk.
Geological advice
GSWA provides geological advice to the mineral exploration industry on the following legislation:
- Mining Act 1978
- Offshore Minerals Act 1994
This legislation requires mineral explorers to annually report on their exploration activities and submit any data collected to the department. After a period of confidentiality, exploration reports and data are made publicly available so that past exploration work is not repeated unnecessarily. These reports are available in the Western Australian Mineral Exploration Index (WAMEX).
Text search open file company reports from the WAMEX database is available from this website: WAMEX Search.
Harmonised open file surface and downhole geochemistry data is available here: Western Australia Exploration Geochemistry Online.
GSWA also gives geological advice on mining lease applications where applicants are proceeding under the Significant Mineralisation route (Sections 74 and 74A of the Mining Act 1978). These Mineralisation Reports are made publicly available online once approved by GSWA.
Greenfields exploration
The Geoscience and Resource Strategy Division manages the Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS), a multi-million dollar State Government initiative aimed at encouraging innovative exploration, particularly in greenfield areas of Western Australia.
The Centre for Exploration Targeting at The University of Western Australia and GSWA have developed add-in tools for the ESRI ArcGIS platform. The Integrated Exploration Platform (IEP) uses innovative interactive visualization and image-analysis methods to assist in the interpretation of geoscience datasets. The IEP project is funded by the Australian Research Council LP 140100267.
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Core library services and drillcore
The department’s core libraries hold a wealth of petroleum and mineral drillcore and core-related information.
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Minerals geoscience
GSWA studies mineral systems to define metallogenic models that improve prospectivity and predictive targeting for minerals in the state.
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Deep crustal seismic reflection surveys
Exploring how the different components of the Western Australian landmass are configured and how they came together.
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HyLogger spectral scanner
The HyLogger is a rapid spectroscopic logging and digital imaging system that uses visible and infrared spectroscopy to safely examine core.
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Mineral exploration reports (WAMEX)
Mineral exploration reports and data submitted by mineral explorers are made publicly available after a period of confidentiality.
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Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS)
EIS supports exploration in Western Australia through precompetitive data and a co-funding program for innovative exploration drilling.
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Mineralisation reports and resource reports for mining lease applications
Search for mineralisation reports in GSWA’s online catalogue or download guidelines for lodging your report.
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Mines and mineral deposits (MINEDEX)
GSWA maintains a database of mines, mineral deposits and prospects, along with their operating status, production data, and much more.
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Land use planning
Geological information to support exploration and development of resources and assist State, local government, planners, and the community.
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3D geoscience
Integration of geophysical, geological and geochemical data in 3D models aims to increase the knowledge of Western Australia’s subsurface.
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GSWA publications and maps
The department’s eBookshop contains almost 5000 geological products including books, maps and data packages.
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Accelerated Geoscience Program
New datasets will accelerate understanding of the State's geology and mineral prospectivity
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Premium GSWA publications
These premium publications highlight geological work in specific parts of Western Australia
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GSWA webinar series
GSWA program of webinars is designed to support Western Australia’s explorers.
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GSWA strategic priorities
Outlines GSWA’s long-term priorities to support the responsible use of the State’s resources
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GSWA publications and maps
The department’s eBookshop contains almost 5000 geological products including books, maps and data packages.
Contact
For further information contact:
geological.survey@dmirs.wa.gov.au