Geological survey open day aims to put explorers in the picture

30/3/01
State Development Minister Clive Brown said that Western Australia relied heavily on the resource exploration industry to help build its economic and social future.
At the official opening GSWA 2001, an annual open day hosted by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA), Mr Brown said the State's future depended on a strong and healthy resource industry, which in turn was built on a foundation of successful exploration.
Mr Brown said that in 2000, the resource sector produced sales of minerals and energy in excess of $25 billion.
The industry also provided around one in five jobs, directly and indirectly, and about $1 billion in royalties to help build vital community infrastructure such as schools, roads, hospitals and provide community safety.
"An understanding of the geology of the State is critical in underpinning our future," the Minister said.
"That's why the State Government will increase funding for the Geological Survey by $20 million over the forward estimates for the next four years.
"Essentially, whenever geologists discover a new deposit, they are mapping out a successful future for all Western Australians."
Mr Brown said the GSWA 2001 open day exposed mineral and petroleum explorers to a range of products and publications, which could increase their prospects of finding the State's next El Dorado.
At the open day mineral explorers would be able to see new regional geoscientific data, which could assist them to choose areas worth further investigation and hopefully stimulate new ideas and point to new opportunities.
A feature this year was the public release of the Hallberg Murchison 1: 50,000 scale geological dataset for the Murchison region.
"This is an important body of work compiled by an eminent geologist, Dr Jack Hallberg, in the early 1990s and its acquisition and release by the Geological Survey should be of immense value to WA explorers," Mr Brown said.
"It is a fine example of how the Geological Survey is making sure that quality geological data collated in WA, is being provided to the wider industry."
Mr Brown said the Geological Survey published 31 maps, 47 manuscripts and 12 digital datasets during 1999-2000 to help explorers pinpoint the most prospective areas of WA.
Media contacts:
Minister's Office - Bev East on 9222 9699
Dept. of Minerals and Energy - James Bowie 9222 3527