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Overview

The Mineral Resources and Advice project main activities are undertaking an annual national assessment of mineral resources and providing high quality, independent geoscientific and technical advice on mineral resources..

The project supports the Australian Government's resource policy and program development by contributing to:

• sustainable development of mineral resources sector through improved resource management based on effective use of geoscientific information in decision making.
• enhanced global attractiveness of Australia's exploration and development investment opportunities through increased knowledge of identified mineral resources.

Project outcome

Informed decision making on mineral resource management, land use planning and environmental protection through enabling access to geoscientific information.

Australia's Identified
Mineral Resources 2010
(AIMR 2010)
© Geoscience Australia

Project outputs

National assessment of mineral resources

• Resources of more than 30 mineral commodities are provided in Australia's Identified Mineral Resources (AIMR), an online annual publication of national mineral resource assessments for all major and a number of minor mineral commodities mined.

Australian Mines Atlas

• The Atlas of Australia's Mineral Resources, Mines and Processing Centres provides interactive mapping and ability to seek information on Australia’s mineral sector.

Technical advice to Government

Advice provided on mineral and energy resources, exploration, industry developments, land use and related environmental issues, includes:

• In November 2010, the Mineral Resource Potential Assessment of the Woomera Prohibited Area, South Australia was released. Geoscience Australia was tasked by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism to undertake a qualitative mineral resource potential assessment of the Woomera Prohibited Area in central South Australia. The assessment was undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia.
• In March 2010, the Australian Energy Resource Assessment was released. The assessment was undertaken jointly by Geoscience Australia and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) at the request of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism as a contribution to future energy policy. It examines Australia's identified and potential energy resources ranging from fossil fuels and uranium to renewables and reviews the factors likely to influence the use of Australia's energy resources to 2030, including the technologies being developed to extract energy more efficiently and cleanly.
• In May 2010, Australia's in situ recovery (ISR) uranium mining best practice guide: groundwaters, residues and radiation protection was released. Geoscience Australia developed the guide with the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and state and territory governments. There were several rounds of public consultation including international consideration by the International Atomic Energy Agency and United States regulators. The guide outlines the best practice principles and approaches that apply generally to mining in Australia, before giving more detailed consideration to best practice environmental protection and regulation for ISR mining.
• Ongoing Australian Government representation on the Joint OECD/NEA-IAEA Uranium Group and contribution to the biennial Uranium: Resources, Production and Demand publication.
• Ongoing Australian Government representation on, and reports from the Conference of Chief Inspectors Mines (CCIM), a subcommittee of the Ministerial Council on Mineral Petroleum Resources (MCMPR), concerning the National Mine Safety Framework.
• Providing Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Island geographic information systems packages in accord with memoranda of understanding with the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.
• Providing web based maps of renewable energy and fossil fuel power stations for the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities.