NUNA Conference, Canada, 2001 The Australian Experience in Mineral Exploration Research: The Research Centres Model Ross R Large Centre for Ore Deposit

NUNA Conference, Canada, 2001

The Australian Experience in Mineral Exploration Research:

The Research Centres Model

Ross R LargeRoss R Large

Centre for Ore Deposit ResearchCentre for Ore Deposit Research

University of TasmaniaUniversity of Tasmania


Outline of Talk

• Background on Australian minerals- Background on Australian minerals- related research fundingrelated research funding

• The Australian research centres programThe Australian research centres program

• Details on CODES as an exampleDetails on CODES as an example

• Draw some conclusionsDraw some conclusions


Australian Government R&D Providers in Geoscience

• CSIRO Exploration and Mining CSIRO Exploration and Mining

• Australian Geological Survey OrganizationAustralian Geological Survey Organization

• Australian Research Council - University Australian Research Council - University researchresearch

• Australian National University: Research Australian National University: Research School of Earth SciencesSchool of Earth Sciences

• State Government SurveysState Government Surveys


The 4 Major R&D Providersin Minerals Related Geosciences

0 5 10 15 20

ANU RSES

ARC

AGSOMinerals

CSIROE&M

GovernmentIndustry

annual budgets : million $


Mineral Deposit Research

• Mostly concentrated in University centres: Mostly concentrated in University centres: CGM, EGRU and CODESCGM, EGRU and CODES

• No large Government group like GSCNo large Government group like GSC

• AGSO has a small team on district studiesAGSO has a small team on district studies

• CSIRO focuses on exploration geophysics CSIRO focuses on exploration geophysics and exploration geochemistryand exploration geochemistry


Growth of Research Centres in Period 1988 - 2001

UniversitiesUniversities

CSIROCSIRO

AGSOAGSO

CRC LEME to 2008CRC LEME to 2008

AGCRC ceased 2000AGCRC ceased 2000

CRC AMET ceased 2000CRC AMET ceased 2000

CRC PMD new to 2008CRC PMD new to 2008

CODES SRC to 2005CODES SRC to 2005

Tectonics SRC to 2005Tectonics SRC to 2005

CGM, UWA no govt fundsCGM, UWA no govt funds

EGRU, JCU no govt fundsEGRU, JCU no govt funds

GEMOC to 2002 GEMOC to 2002


Types of Research centres

• Cooperative Research Centres - CRC’sCooperative Research Centres - CRC’s– Collaborations between universities, government Collaborations between universities, government

organizations and industry: budgets from $4 to 10 organizations and industry: budgets from $4 to 10 million pa. million pa.

• Key Centres and Special Research CentresKey Centres and Special Research Centres– Collaborations between universities and industry: Collaborations between universities and industry:

budgets from $2 to 5 million pa. budgets from $2 to 5 million pa.


Focus of Centres

40%

12%23%

25%Geology, geochron & tectonicsGeology, geochron & tectonics

ExplorationExplorationGeophysicsGeophysics

Ore deposits & campsOre deposits & camps

ExplorationExplorationGeochemistryGeochemistry


CGM : Centre for Global Metallogeny

• Formerly ARC Key CentreFormerly ARC Key Centre• Participants:Participants: University of Western AustraliaUniversity of Western Australia

50 Industry Corporate Sponsors50 Industry Corporate Sponsors• Director:Director: David GrovesDavid Groves• Staff:Staff: 17 research scientists17 research scientists• Budget:Budget: ~ 2.7 million pa ~ 2.7 million pa•Funding:Funding: industry and universityindustry and university• Gov’t funding :Gov’t funding : ceased in 1996ceased in 1996


EGRU : Economic Geology Research Unit

• Formerly ARC Key CentreFormerly ARC Key Centre• Participants:Participants: James Cook UniversityJames Cook University

32 Industry Corporate Sponsors32 Industry Corporate Sponsors• Director:Director: Nick OliverNick Oliver• Staff:Staff: 8 research scientists8 research scientists• Budget:Budget: ~ 0.8 million pa ~ 0.8 million pa•Funding:Funding: industry and university industry and university • Gov’t fundsGov’t funds ceased in 1996ceased in 1996


CODES : Centre for Ore Deposit Research

• ARC Special Research CentreARC Special Research Centre• Participants:Participants: University of TasmaniaUniversity of Tasmania

11 Industry Corporate Sponsors11 Industry Corporate Sponsors

66 company collaborators66 company collaborators• Director:Director: Ross LargeRoss Large• Staff:Staff: 23 research scientists23 research scientists• Budget:Budget: 3.8 million pa3.8 million pa• Funding:Funding: industry, ARC and universityindustry, ARC and university• Gov’t funding:Gov’t funding: reviewed each 3 years to 9 years max.reviewed each 3 years to 9 years max.


PMD CRC: Centre for Predictive Mineral Discovery

• Cooperative Research CentreCooperative Research Centre• Participants:Participants: CSIRO, CGM, EGRU, VIEPS, CSIRO, CGM, EGRU, VIEPS,

AMIRA, AGSOAMIRA, AGSO• Director:Director: Bob Haydon (ex industry)Bob Haydon (ex industry)• Staff:Staff: to be established to be established • Budget:Budget: ~7 million pa~7 million pa

• Gov’t funds: Gov’t funds: NEW 2001, funded for 7 yearsNEW 2001, funded for 7 years


Summary of Centres Funding

• $12.8M provided from Government $12.8M provided from Government amounting to about 21% of total govt amounting to about 21% of total govt minerals geoscience R&D resourcesminerals geoscience R&D resources

• $5.1M provided from industry $5.1M provided from industry amounting to about 1% of total mineral amounting to about 1% of total mineral exploration expenditure in Australia in exploration expenditure in Australia in 20002000


Revolving Door Policy on Research Centres

• Max. government funding of 6 to 9 yearsMax. government funding of 6 to 9 years

• In-depth reviews every 3 yearsIn-depth reviews every 3 years

• Close down unsuccessful centres and start Close down unsuccessful centres and start new centresnew centres

• Some successful centres may regenerate by Some successful centres may regenerate by changing focus or adding partnerschanging focus or adding partners


Importance of AMIRA

• Over 40 years experience in R&D Over 40 years experience in R&D brokerage in minerals explorationbrokerage in minerals exploration

• Has developed a culture of industry Has developed a culture of industry support for research in Australiasupport for research in Australia

• Actively encourages collaboration Actively encourages collaboration amongst research groups amongst research groups


Centre for Ore Deposit ResearchUniversity of Tasmania

Mission Statement

• CODES is committed to leadership in CODES is committed to leadership in fundamental and applied research into fundamental and applied research into ore-forming processes in volcanic arc and ore-forming processes in volcanic arc and rift settingsrift settings

• Involving close collaboration with Involving close collaboration with national and international researchers national and international researchers and the mineral exploration industryand the mineral exploration industry


CODES statistics 1999/00

• 23 research staff23 research staff

• 37 PhD, 28 MSc students37 PhD, 28 MSc students

• Annual budget : $3.8 millionAnnual budget : $3.8 million

• 11 Corporate Sponsors11 Corporate Sponsors

• 40 Major research Projects40 Major research Projects


CODES 2000 Funding : $3.8M

Centre GrantCentre Grant

Industry supportIndustry support UniversityUniversity

ARC grantsARC grants

20%

2%5%

23% 23%

27%


Method of operations - team based research

• Multidisciplinary teams working across Multidisciplinary teams working across five major research programsfive major research programs

• Teams are comprised of specialists in : Teams are comprised of specialists in : tectonics, igneous petrology, igneous tectonics, igneous petrology, igneous geochemistry, volcanology, geochemistry, volcanology, sedimentology, structure, hydrothermal sedimentology, structure, hydrothermal geochemistry, isotopes, hydrogeology and geochemistry, isotopes, hydrogeology and ore depositsore deposits


CODES Ore Deposit Research Focus

Porphyry Cu-Au

26%

Sedimentary Cu7%

other5%

VHMS31%

BHT Pb-Zn6%

Sedex Zn-Pb9%

Epithermal Au

16%


Fundamental research categories

Igneous petrology

14%

isotopes10%

fluid flow11%

Structure & tectonics

9%

melt & fluid

inclusions12%

equipment 10%

ore genesis15%

hydrothemal geochem

5%

volcanology14%


CODES Geographic Focus 1999

Interstate43%

Tasmania21%

International36%


AustralianResearchProjects

64%


International Project Locations 36%


Industry Links and Funding

CODES is committed to developing and maitaining strong links with the mining and exploration industry

CODES is committed to developing and maitaining strong links with the mining and exploration industry

Funding Strategy

• Corporate sponsors

• AMIRA projects

• ARC Linkage projects

• PhD support

• Industry workshops


CODES AMIRA Projects, 2001

• CODES and CSIRO are currently the CODES and CSIRO are currently the major research providers to AMIRA for major research providers to AMIRA for exploration projectsexploration projects

• In 2001 CODES has five projects funded In 2001 CODES has five projects funded at $2.04 million from AMIRAat $2.04 million from AMIRA

• Four international and one Australian Four international and one Australian

• All involve major collaborations with All involve major collaborations with other research groupsother research groups


AMIRA Research Providers inMineral Exploration, 1997-

2000

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

CSIRO EM CODES AMET CGM UWA

AMF AGSO other Unis

Million $


CODES AMIRA/ARC Linkage Projects

• Proterozoic Stratiform Zn-Pb-Ag deposits Proterozoic Stratiform Zn-Pb-Ag deposits of Northern Australia - CODES AMIRA of Northern Australia - CODES AMIRA P384/384A ($1.2million)P384/384A ($1.2million)– Leaders : Ross Large, Peter McGoldrick & Stu Leaders : Ross Large, Peter McGoldrick & Stu

BullBull

• Giant Porphyry Cu/Au systems in South Giant Porphyry Cu/Au systems in South America - CODES, CSIRO : AMIRA P511 America - CODES, CSIRO : AMIRA P511

($336,000)($336,000)– Leaders : David Cooke & John WalsheLeaders : David Cooke & John Walshe


CODES AMIRA/ARC Linkage Projects• Fluid Flow in the Mt Isa basin related to Zn-Pb-Ag Fluid Flow in the Mt Isa basin related to Zn-Pb-Ag

deposits - AGSO, UQ, Queens U, CODES, CSIRO : deposits - AGSO, UQ, Queens U, CODES, CSIRO : AMIRA P552 ($161,000) AMIRA P552 ($161,000) – Leaders :Peter Southgate (AGSO), Jianwen Yang, Ross Large, Leaders :Peter Southgate (AGSO), Jianwen Yang, Ross Large,

Sue Golding (UQ), Kurt Kyser (Queens)Sue Golding (UQ), Kurt Kyser (Queens)

• Deposit halos and exploration vectors for epithermal Deposit halos and exploration vectors for epithermal Au-Ag deposits - AMIRA P588 ($874,000) Au-Ag deposits - AMIRA P588 ($874,000) – Bruce Gemmell and Stuart Simmons (Auk.U NZ) : Bruce Gemmell and Stuart Simmons (Auk.U NZ) :


CODES AMIRA/ARC Linkage Projects

• Proterozoic sedimentary copper deposits - Proterozoic sedimentary copper deposits - Zambia and Australia : AMIRA P544 Zambia and Australia : AMIRA P544 ($1,485,000)($1,485,000)– leaders - Peter McGoldrick, Murray leaders - Peter McGoldrick, Murray

Hitzman (CSM) and Stuart BullHitzman (CSM) and Stuart Bull

• SE Asian tectonics and metallogenesis, SE Asian tectonics and metallogenesis, southern China - AMIRA P603 ($466,000)southern China - AMIRA P603 ($466,000)– Khin Zaw and Elanor Bruce Khin Zaw and Elanor Bruce


CODES Industry/ARC Linkage Projects

• Ordovician volcanics hosting porphyry Ordovician volcanics hosting porphyry Cu-Au, NSW ($506,000) Cu-Au, NSW ($506,000) – Leaders : Tony Crawford and Dick Glenn Leaders : Tony Crawford and Dick Glenn

(NSWGS)(NSWGS)

• Scale dependent electrical properties of Scale dependent electrical properties of sulfide rocks ($252,000)sulfide rocks ($252,000)– Leader : Mike RoachLeader : Mike Roach


CODES Industry/ARC Linkage Projects

• Ranking alteration zones in submarine Ranking alteration zones in submarine volcanic terrains in Tasmania using volcanic terrains in Tasmania using stable and radiogenic isotopes ($140,000) stable and radiogenic isotopes ($140,000) – Leaders :Garry Davidson & Geoff Green Leaders :Garry Davidson & Geoff Green

(MRT)(MRT)

• Sulfide laser mico-analysis for enhanced Sulfide laser mico-analysis for enhanced exploration success (yet to be funded)exploration success (yet to be funded)– leaders - Marc Norman, Garry leaders - Marc Norman, Garry

Davidson, Ross LargeDavidson, Ross Large


CODES funds from Industry

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20000

200000

400000

600000

800000

1000000

1200000

SPONSORSAMIRACOLLABORATIVE RESEARCHPHD SUPPORT

$


Characteristics of Successful Centres

• Quality and innovative research programsQuality and innovative research programs• Diversified research team with international Diversified research team with international

reputationreputation • Strong Centre Director with both research and Strong Centre Director with both research and

management skillsmanagement skills• Director has control of the Centre destinyDirector has control of the Centre destiny• Strong funding support and involvement from Strong funding support and involvement from

industryindustry• Preferably one or two geographic locations of staffPreferably one or two geographic locations of staff


Survival Strategy for Research Centres

• Deliver top quality research resultsDeliver top quality research results• Place emphasis on regular reportingPlace emphasis on regular reporting• Research must be relevant to industry Research must be relevant to industry

objectivesobjectives• Gain trust of explorers and miners Gain trust of explorers and miners • Get support from both government and Get support from both government and

industryindustry• Need various sources of incomeNeed various sources of income


Why has Australia been relatively successful in obtaining government and industry funding for mineral deposit research ?

Concluding Remark


• Australian Mineral Industry Research Association : Australian Mineral Industry Research Association : AMIRAAMIRA

• The government funded Research Centres ProgramThe government funded Research Centres Program

• Healthy competition and collaboration between Healthy competition and collaboration between groups & centresgroups & centres

• A history of strong industry support for researchA history of strong industry support for research

Documents

NUNA Conference, Canada, 2001 The Australian Experience in Mineral Exploration Research: The Research Centres Model Ross R Large Centre for Ore Deposit