The Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy says work has begun on a bigger and better Mount Isa ‘rock library’ making it easier for explorers to prospect the North West Minerals Province.
Minister for Resources, Scott Stewart said an expanded and upgraded Mount Isa drill core facility would support future resources projects and jobs.
“The drill core library and its 230 kilometres of drill core samples are critical for explorers and geoscientists,” Mr Stewart said.
“The $550,000 upgrade under way will provide a dedicated core viewing facility that will make it easier for more people to access and study the cores,” he said.
Mr Stewart said the facility would provide a climate-controlled, dust-free, well-lit space for scientists and explorers to undertake their studies and core-logging activities.
“As scientists’ geological knowledge and understanding expands, even the oldest drill core can provide new insights and evidence of potential mineral deposits,” he said.
“As demand grows across the globe for new economy minerals, this upgraded drill core facility will be vital for explorers working to uncover new deposits, supporting communities in the North West.”
Mr Stewart said the core library and its twin in Brisbane provided access to samples collected over the past 130 years by previous explorers, State Government drilling programs and mining industry-Government collaborations.
The Mount Isa core library is located on the Kalkadoon Industrial Estate across the highway from the airport.
The upgrade project is due for completion by June next year.
