First instalment of minerals exploration video series released

Resources Victoria has released the first instalment of a video series helping to explain important and misunderstood aspects of the State’s resources sector.

Minerals exploration and mining are often confused. Though both are essential stages along the path to developing a resource, the process and scales are very different.

In the video series — Minerals Exploration Explained — a Victorian minerals explorer outlined in their own words what they do, the techniques they use, how they select a site and how it is restored.

Mineral explorers use low-impact methods to understand local geology and look for evidence of minerals over a large area, then typically focus activities on a smaller zone. This involves mapping, water and soil sample testing, targeted drilling and surveying the ground from the surface or air.

If an exploration licence is granted and a commercially viable deposit is identified, a separate process towards mining would involve environmental assessment and extensive local engagement.

Resources Victoria chief executive Matt Vincent commented on the video series.

“Much of regional Victoria is subject to a minerals exploration licence so we wanted to produce something to help explain the process and be clear it’s very different to mining,” he said.

“Exploration is about to confirming what minerals may be present in an area and whether development is a commercial option – the vast majority of exploration activity in Victoria does not lead to mining.

“In this new video a minerals explorer outlines what they do, their techniques, how they select a site and how it is restored.”