Photo by: Bloombeg
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Western Australian state government on Wednesday announced plans for a research programme to map sulphur concentrations to make gold exploration more efficient and productive.
The project, funded through a A$90 000 Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) scholarship, was examining the Yilgarn and Capricorn regions.
“This is about securing the mines and jobs of tomorrow. In challenging times like these, and with exploration an expensive business, this sort of research is more important than ever,” said Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion.
He pointed out that sulphur was like a fingerprint for gold, so by analysing samples and mapping sulphur concentrations, the researchers were helping to point explorers in the right direction.
The sulphur isotope mapping programme was under way at the University of Western Australia and dovetails with the national UNCOVER project, which is using the latest technology in a quest to reveal the nation's previously hidden mineral wealth.
It is one of ten MRIWA scholarships awarded for research this year, with other scholarships aimed at research into a cost-saving method of nickel ore processing and deep mining technology.
"I am confident these important projects will help usher in profitable innovations that will not only boost our mining industry, but could also lead to new technology exports from Western Australia," Marmion said.
"While the government is backing our resources industry and the jobs and benefits it brings, we are also supporting the science that will help further diversify the Western Australian economy."
The state government has provided some A$15-million to the MRIWA over the past three years, including more than A$500 000 for scholarships this year.