JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australia government has joined forces with key gold industry players and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (Csiro) in a A$1.67-million quest to extend the life of major mines and reveal sites for new operations.

Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said on Tuesday that the intensive, 12-month research project had a significant upside for mining industry jobs.

"This is an ideal time to build on current gold sector activity, by using our world-leading science to target known gold-rich zones," he stated.

"Mining companies are helping sponsor the project because prolonging the life of proven operations is very cost-effective, especially when it comes to job security."

The Pathways to High-Grade Ore: 3D Gradient Mapping of Mineral Systems project would analyse the earth's crust to develop three-dimensional (3D) modelling of gold-bearing systems centred on important Eastern Goldfields geological faults, which host major existing and potential mine sites.

The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia is contributing A$395 000, the main cash component of the project.  Five gold producers are also contributing, with Kanowna Belle owner Northern Star Resources the major industry sponsor.

"These 3D models will guide exploration and mine expansion at sponsors' sites," the Minister said.

"While we wish industry sponsors like Northern Star a bright future, this research will also help point the way to new discoveries in promising greenfields areas such as the Yamarna greenstone belt, east of Laverton."

Dr John Walshe and Dr Adam Bath of the Csiro’s Mineral Resources Flagship would lead the research.

The project, which will start immediately, is funded by: MRIWA A$395 000; Northern Star Resources A$110 000; La Mancha Resources A$40 000; Saracen Mineral Holdings A$15 000; Excelsior Gold A$10 000 and Ramelius Resources A$10 000. The Csiro will provide A$1.105-million in in-kind funding, including sample preparation and analysis, data processing, scanning electron microscope analytics and 3D modelling