A low impact survey will be conducted to characterise key geological elements in the Canning Basin. The project is co-funded by the WA State Government led Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS). The survey is predicted to take 10 – 12 weeks to complete.
The high-tech seismic reflection survey is set to reveal the deep geology of the Kidson Sub-basin, a remote south-east portion of the Canning Basin. The project, which commenced over the weekend, involves a 900-kilometre survey along the road connecting Kiwirrkurra in the East and Marble Bar in the Pilbara, (which is currently one of the ‘least geologically understood’ regions in Australia).
The process involves three large, specialised ‘Vibroseis’ exploration trucks which are set to generate seismic reflection waves down through the ground, which will reflect the lower geological strata and display any changes in rock type. As the survey progresses, an image will be revealed, displaying a vertical slice through the Earth’s crust. This data, when uncovered, will be used to identify any regional faults, folds, salt movement and other structural elements within the Canning Basin.
“This is an important collaborative research project, as seismic surveys of this kind and size provide valuable scientific data and play an important role in understanding the state’s geological history,” commented Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston.
“The research will increase our understanding of the Earth’s basic structure to a depth of about 40km, improve exploration efficiency over a much broader area, and potentially support more job opportunities in this remote region,” he voiced.
From July 2018 the Western Australian State Government led EIS initiative will be funded on a basis of $10 million per year, with plans to further stimulate increased private sector resource exploration, leading to new mineral and energy discoveries. The Kidson-Sub basin research is a result of collaboration between the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and Geoscience Australia, and a division of the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
“This major project is only possible from the combined funding of the state’s EIS and the Commonwealth’s Exploring for the Future program, which is managed by GA,” commented Johnston.
More information on the WA Exploration Incentive Scheme can be found here.