Western Australia’s new State geological map will help drive mineral and petroleum discoveries, through the addition of constant data updates to keep the exploration industry abreast of the latest Western Australian geological framework.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the new map and database was the culmination of more than a decade’s work.
“This is a living resource for explorers, prospectors and researchers,” Mr Marmion said.
“Our first new State geological map since 1998 is complemented by online datasets which are updated weekly and even daily.
“This information is easy to access through the WA Geology app, which has proved itself an important tool for the resources industry since it was introduced last year.”
The Minister said the map and associated data stream, produced by the Geological Survey of Western Australia, contained unprecedented detail and was a far cry from the first State geological map, a hand-coloured lithograph printed in 1894.
“At that time my great-grandfather, William E Marmion, was the minister with responsibility for mines and oversaw production of that history-making document,” he said.
“I’m immensely proud to be able to release the 14th State map. I’m also pleased to note that one thing hasn’t changed since 1894 – the Geological Survey remains committed to providing us with the most up-to-date information possible, in the quest for the mines of tomorrow.”
Today, the Minister also launched a new book, Mapping Western Australia, which documents the Geological Survey’s history of making State geological maps, including expert commentary on some State geological maps, plus maps pre-dating the 1888 establishment of the Geological Survey of WA.
“I congratulate the dedicated Geological Survey’s team who researched, revealed and recorded such an important part of our State’s development,” he said.
“The oldest significant map is hand-drawn and dates back to 1848. Another important document is the 1884 so-called ‘gold map’ by then government geologist Edward Hardman, which sparked the colony’s first gold rush in the Kimberley in 1886.
“With new technology and the State Government’s major investment in the Exploration Incentive Scheme, I am confident the latest map will help yield new discoveries, as well.”
The data augmenting the 2015 State map is available at http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au