Mundi
MinEx Cooperative Research Centre (MinEx CRC) activities will be undertaken in the Mundi Mundi Plains and surrounding areas northwest of Broken Hill (Figure 1).
Location map of Mundi MinEx focus area
Figure 1: Location map of the Mundi MinEx focus area
Current activities
Geological mapping and sampling
Rock samples will be collected from outcrops during field mapping from 2020 onwards. Samples will be analysed for geochemistry, mineralogy and age dating. View more information and a video explaining geological mapping here.
Results will be incorporated into the NSW Seamless Geology Geodatabase which is available on MinView.
Completed activities
Geological mapping and sampling
A reconnaissance field trip to the area was organised as part of the Uncover Curnamona Conference in 2019 (GS2019/0702). An audit and gaps study of the area followed and is available on DIGS (GS2019/1237).
Ar/Ar geochronology (micas, feldspar) – report on thermal evolution and deformational history in the Curnamona Province
U–Pb geochronology and REE analyses (zircon) – report and data including samples from the Mundi focus area
Palynology and biostratigraphy – report on sedimentary cover sequences in western NSW
Oral presentation by Dr Chris Folkes at Uncover Curnamona conference (Broken Hill, July 2022)
Low-flying airborne survey in Mundi MinEx focus area
In April 2021, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia coordinated an airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey over the Mundi Mundi Plains to measure the natural electrical properties of rocks and soil to a maximum depth of 400 m. These properties vary depending on the type of rocks and soil, and the water content and salinity. The information collected will improve our knowledge of the geology and groundwater resources of the area, which will inform mineral explorers and farmers.
Helicopter and sensor flying near Floods Creek Station. Image credit NRG™ Xcite.
New Resolution Geophysics (NRG™) was contracted to carry out the survey. The helicopter flew at a height of 60 m, along 66 east–west lines. Lines were typically around 40 km long and spaced up to 5 km apart. A map of the survey area and an interactive map of the survey lines are shown below.
The data acquired is available for download and viewing in MinView.
Download the shape files (in zip format) for the aerial survey.
An interpretive report along with 3D datasets will be released later in 2023.
We would like to thank the local community for their support.
Hydrogeochemistry
A 15-sample hydrogeochemistry (water sampling) survey was completed in June 2022 as part of a study of groundwater chemistry in the Mundi region (in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and CSIRO). Further samples were collected across the border in South Australia (SA) by the Geological Survey of SA.
Each sample was analysed for a range of elements as well as parameters such as salinity and pH. As part of the survey, a subset of samples were collected for radiocarbon dating to provide insight into the residence times of groundwaters in the region. The analytical results were forwarded to landholders in November 2022 and are available (along with existing data in the region) on MinView. To download the data, click Tools > Data download > Hydrogeochemistry.
Community information sessions
The Department of Regional NSW’s Geological Survey prepared an online information session about the AEM survey flown over the Mundi Mundi Plains in April 2021.