GROUNDWATER SAMPLING

198 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14 February 2008). Is the Government using, or investigating the use of, hydrogeochemical exploration or 'groundwater sampling' as publicised by the CSIRO on 6 February 2008, for mineral exploration in South Australia?

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning) (00:00): The Geological Survey within PIRSA has been actively collaborating with the CSIRO, CRC Landscape Evolution Mineral Exploration (LEME) and Geoscience Australia in the area of hydrogeochemical exploration for the last seven years. I am advised that PIRSA holds 301,538 water assays in the corporate SAGeodata database.

Sampling of water bores through the Gawler Craton, Curnamona Province, the Musgrave Province in the far NW of the State and part of the Adelaide Hills was completed by researchers from CRC LEME and CSIRO over a period of five years. The Geological Survey has been contributing $100,000 and up to seven staff as part of its commitment to the CRC LEME work.

The results from the regional work are due to be published in a number of CRC LEME keynote publications over the next few months, including the Gawler Exploration Regolith Guide and the Curnamona Exploration Regolith Guide.