Gis, Modern Mineral Potential Modelling and Quantitative Resource Assessment: Implications for the Geological Survey of Queensland

The Geological Survey Office (GSO) undertook a pilot study with the objective of assessing the ability of Survey data to support modern quantitative mineral potential modelling techniques. The Yarrol pilot project was designed to audit digital data sets routinely produced by the GSO, and to provide mineral assessment outputs relevant to both industry and Government decision-making processes. The study focused on the estimation of mineral potential using modern quantitative methods including the USGS three-part resource assessment methodology. Mineral potential was assessed for porphyry-copper-type deposits in part of the Yarrol Province, central Queensland establishing: 1. ground permissive for the occurrence of copper-type porphyry deposits; 2. zones favourable for the occurrence of such deposits using computer-based prospectivity modelling techniques; and 3. estimates of the number of potential undiscovered deposits (probability of occurrence modelling). In this study the statistical technique 'weights of evidence' was used for prospectivity modelling in a general PC GIS software environment. The application processes used and the results of the Yarrol case study are reported in this paper, as well as the implications for the operations of the Geological Survey.