Norseman-Wiluna Synthesis

• News
• Description
• Outcome
• Outputs
• Module 1
• Module 2
• Module 3
• Module 4
• Related links

Project news

• Seismic data: northeastern Yilgarn survey 2001 (L154) data now available.
• Yilgarn Craton aeromagnetic interpretation: map and GIS data now available.
• Leonora-Neale solid geology: map and GIS data now available.
• Industry workshop proceedings: Geology, geochronology and geophysics of the north eastern Yilgarn Craton, with an emphasis on the Leonora-Laverton transect area. Cassidy, K.F., editor, 2002. Geoscience Australia, Record 2002/18, now available online.
• Sir Samuel geology: Geology of the Sir Samuel 1:250 000 sheet area, Western Australia. Liu S.F., Champion D.C. & Cassidy K.F., 2002. Geoscience Australia, Record 2002/14, now available online.

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Project description

The Norseman-Wiluna Synthesis (NWS) Project conducts research into the geological and metallogenic framework of the eastern Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia (map). The Yilgarn Craton is Australia's premier mineral province. It attracts more than half of Australia's minerals exploration expenditure, and produces two thirds of all gold and most of the nickel mined in Australia. World-class deposits in the eastern Yilgarn Craton include: the Golden Mile ("Superpit"), Bronzewing, Jundee, Kanowna Belle, Mount Charlotte, Norseman, Sunrise Dam, Sons of Gwalia, St Ives-Kambalda, Tarmoola, Wallaby and Wiluna. World-class nickel deposits include: Mount Keith, Kambalda and Murrin Murrin lateritic nickel. Other commodities extracted from the craton include aluminium, copper, iron and vanadium.

The NWS Project is a National Geoscience Agreement (NGA) project. The NGA is an umbrella for a series of bilateral work programs between Geoscience Australia and the state and territory geological surveys. The NWS Project works in cooperation with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA), by providing Geoscience Australia's specialist expertise.

The NWS Project includes an AMIRA International project; P624 - "Geological and Metallogenic Framework for the Eastern Yilgarn Craton". AMIRA is an industry association which manages collaborative research for its members in the global minerals industry. Other collaborators in P624 are the Centre for Global Metallogeny (University of Western Australia) and the Volcanology Research Group (Monash University).

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Project outcome

Enhanced mineral exploration strategies and the promotion of the eastern Yilgarn Craton through the provision of an improved geological framework of the region.

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Project outputs

• Module 1
• Module 2
• Module 3
• Module 4

Module 1 - Geological framework

• Reports on the structure and architecture of a selected portion of the gold-rich eastern Yilgarn Craton.
• Reports on the new and existing geochronological data in the gold-rich eastern Yilgarn Craton.
• Extended abstracts and presentations for the 4th International Archaean Symposium.
• Report incorporating abstracts from the 4th International Archaean Symposium in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA).
• Report on geology of the Sir Samuel 1:250 000 map sheet.
• Report on integrated geophysical, geological and regolith mapping for exploring under cover in the Grants Patch region.

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Module 2 - Geological, solid geology and geophysical interpretation maps

• North Eastern Goldfields solid geology digital data in collaboration with GSWA.
• Geophysical interpretation map of the Yilgarn Craton.
• Geological map of the Leonora 1:250 000 sheet in collaboration with GSWA.

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Module 3 - Geophysical acquisition

• Seismic reflection data across key structures in the Leonora-Laverton region to define the regional architecture of this gold-rich region of the Yilgarn Craton in collaboration with GSWA.

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Module 4 - AMIRA Project P624 "Geological and Metallogenic Framework for the Eastern Yilgarn Craton"

• Quarterly reports on current research activities for sponsors of AMIRA P624.
• Sponsors meetings to present scientific results to sponsors of AMIRA P624.
• Reports on research activities and scientific results for sponsors of AMIRA P624.

Related links

• Products
• Map
• Yilgarn Craton Online GIS
• Leonora-Laverton 3D model