New WAGeology app puts mineral search at your fingertips

To further promote the discovery of new mineral and petroleum resources, Western Australia’s cutting-edge mapping and geological information is now available on mobile phones and tablets.

Launching the WAGeology app, Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the State Government and industry were working smarter to maintain WA’s global mining leadership and resource sector jobs. “The app puts incredibly detailed digital geological maps at your fingertips including multiple layers of information such as land use, native title and biodiversity. Critically for prospectors and explorers, the app includes measuring, drawing and mapping tools, with the advantage of GPS accuracy.”

The WAGeology app was developed from the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s extensive and growing digital database. “This is living technology and the information and services on the app will continue expanding,” the Minister said. “One of the next steps will be to build in a caching facility so information is available on your smartphone or tablet even when you are out of mobile signal range.”

The WAGeology app is one of a series of innovations highlighted at Geological Survey of Western Australia’s (GSWA) annual open day, including 3D resource modelling to improve exploration targeting. “Thanks largely to the efforts of GSWA, we’re nearing the end of what many geoscientists call the ‘cartoon era’ of two-dimensional mapping,” Mr Marmion said. “Major advances in our 3D systems mean we can now accurately visualise the earth’s crust, helping save explorers money by reducing uncertainty and risk.”

3D data being showcased to industry includes the recent Harvey-Waroona seismic survey, part of the South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage Project.

“This data is another important facet of Western Australian innovation and hopefully will establish the potential for storing industrial carbon dioxide with deep sandstones,” he said.

The WAGeology app is available at: http://wageology.dmp.wa.gov.au/wageology