Expansion of core library a boost for exploration
Mines and Petroleum Minister Sean L’Estrange officially opened the new $7.3 million extension to the Perth Core Library on November 2nd. The Department of Mines and Petroleum facility in Carlisle stores drill core samples that can be studied by researchers and explorers seeking new petroleum and mineral discoveries. The expansion almost doubles the previous capacity of more than 8,500 pallets of core to 15,300 pallets. The added capacity and space will reduce current waiting times and make it easier to access the core samples.
“The Perth Core Library is a vital resource for geologists, other scientists and anybody who is interested in exploring for minerals and resources in Western Australia,” Mr L’Estrange said. “The core library continues to expand and this $7.3 million extension enables us to add new mining exploration samples to the collection.”
“We have also completed a new covered viewing area, as well as a dedicated area to house the state-of-the-art HyLogger spectral scanner used to analyse drill core.” The Minister said there had been a 300 per cent increase in viewing of core samples over the past 10 years. During 2015-16, 116,000 metres of core were inspected.
“The pre-competitive geoscience information provided through the core library promotes the mineral and energy prospectivity of the State, and encourages innovative research and more targeted, lower-cost exploration for mineral and petroleum resources,” he said.
The Perth Core Library is used by industry and research groups as a geoscience training facility. It will also store two-thirds of all Australian Government-managed petroleum core from offshore drilling.
For more information on the Perth Core Library please see: http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Geological-Survey/