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Lithospheric conductivity structures and mineral potential from magnetotelluric data in northern Australia

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Created 20/01/2025

Updated 20/01/2025

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Long-period magnetotelluric (MT) data from the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP), collected as part of Geoscience Australia’s Exploring for the Future program with contributions from the Northern Territory Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Queensland, provide important first-order information for resolving large-scale lithospheric architecture and identifying the broad footprint of mineral systems in northern Australia. Large-scale crust/mantle conductivity anomalies map pathways of palaeo-fluid migration which is an important element of several mineral systems. For example, the Carpentaria conductivity anomaly east of Mount Isa and the Croydon, Georgetown to Greenvale conductivity anomaly are highly conductive lithospheric-scale structures, and show spatial correlations with major suture zones and known mineral deposits. These results provide evidence that some mineralisation occurs at the gradient of or over highly conductive structures at lower crustal and lithospheric mantle depths, which may represent fertile source regions for mineral systems. These observations provide a powerful means of highlighting prospective greenfield areas for mineral exploration in under-explored and covered regions.

Higher resolution scale-reduction MT surveys refine the geometry of some conductive anomalies from AusLAMP data, and investigate whether these deep conductivity anomalies link to the near surface. These links may act as conduits for crustal/mantle scale fluid migration to the upper crust, where they could form mineral deposits. For example, data reveals a favourable crustal architecture linking the deep conductivity anomaly or fertile source regions to the upper crust in the Cloncurry region. In addition, high-frequency MT data help to characterise cover and assist with selecting targets for drilling and improve the understanding of basement geology.

These results demonstrate that integration of multi-scale MT surveys is an effective approach for mapping lithospheric-scale features and selecting prospective areas for mineral exploration in covered terranes with limited geological knowledge.

Some models in this presentation were produced on the National Computational Infrastructure, which is supported by the Australian government.

Abstract presented to the Australian Institute of Geoscientists – ALS Friday Seminar Series: Geophysical and Geochemical Signatures of Queensland Mineral Deposits October 2023 (https://www.aig.org.au/events/aig-als-friday-seminar-series-geophysical-and-geochemical-signatures-of-qld-mineral-deposits/)

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Title Lithospheric conductivity structures and mineral potential from magnetotelluric data in northern Australia
Language eng
Licence notspecified
Landing Page https://devweb.dga.links.com.au/data/dataset/9dc1cb3e-6dd0-428f-b014-d36e4da6c851
Contact Point
Geoscience Australia
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 02/02/2024
Geospatial Coverage {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[127.1318, -29.1911], [156.5891, -29.1911], [156.5891, -6.6517], [127.1318, -6.6517], [127.1318, -29.1911]]]}
Data Portal data.gov.au

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This dataset was originally found on data.gov.au "Lithospheric conductivity structures and mineral potential from magnetotelluric data in northern Australia". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://devweb.dga.links.com.au/data/dataset/lithospheric-conductivity-structures-and-mineral-potential-from-magnetotelluric-data-in-norther

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