The global consequences of subduction zone congestion. This project will use a combination of 3D geodynamic modelling, plate kinematic reconstruction and geological and geophysical synthesis to determine how congested subduction zones influence plate kinematics, subduction dynamics and tectonic evolution at orogen and global scales. The project aims to deliver a transformation change in understanding the links between congested subduction, mantle flow, trench migration, crustal growth, transitio ....The global consequences of subduction zone congestion. This project will use a combination of 3D geodynamic modelling, plate kinematic reconstruction and geological and geophysical synthesis to determine how congested subduction zones influence plate kinematics, subduction dynamics and tectonic evolution at orogen and global scales. The project aims to deliver a transformation change in understanding the links between congested subduction, mantle flow, trench migration, crustal growth, transitions between stable convergent margin configurations and deformation in the overriding plates of subduction zones. Determining these relationships is significant because it will provide dynamic context to interpret the geological record of ancient convergent margins, which host a large percentage of Earth's metal resources.Read moreRead less
Magmatic response to slab deformation and implications to ore formation. The uneven distribution of ore deposits in magmatic arcs is poorly understood. This project aims to provide new strategies for more effective mineral targeting by testing the hypothesis that anomalous magmatism enriched in metals reflects particular styles of deformation, such as tears in subducting slabs. We will use geophysical modelling to constrain slab structure along the northern boundary of the Australian plate, and ....Magmatic response to slab deformation and implications to ore formation. The uneven distribution of ore deposits in magmatic arcs is poorly understood. This project aims to provide new strategies for more effective mineral targeting by testing the hypothesis that anomalous magmatism enriched in metals reflects particular styles of deformation, such as tears in subducting slabs. We will use geophysical modelling to constrain slab structure along the northern boundary of the Australian plate, and geochemical data to establish spatio-temporal links with anomalous magmatism and ore deposits. By identifying the geochemical fingerprint of tear-related magmatism, outcomes are expected to benefit geoscience research and mineral exploration by providing context to similar rock associations in mineral-rich provinces.Read moreRead less
Where to find giant porphyry and epithermal gold and copper deposits. This project will determine when and where giant gold or copper deposits should form, consolidating links with Indonesia, and using South East Asia as a vast natural laboratory in which to examine the effect of large-scale tectonic processes. The project will produce a four-dimensional virtual exploration toolkit to show how to apply the methods.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240101283
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,000.00
Summary
Linking Australia’s basement and cover mineral systems . The aim of this research is to use revolutionary new mineral-dating techniques to test the hypothesis that low-temperature fluids can transport metals from Australia's richly endowed geological basement to form new mineral deposits in the sedimentary basins that cover most of the continent. Sedimentary-hosted mineral systems are the largest source of the critical metal cobalt and the second largest source of copper on Earth. These two meta ....Linking Australia’s basement and cover mineral systems . The aim of this research is to use revolutionary new mineral-dating techniques to test the hypothesis that low-temperature fluids can transport metals from Australia's richly endowed geological basement to form new mineral deposits in the sedimentary basins that cover most of the continent. Sedimentary-hosted mineral systems are the largest source of the critical metal cobalt and the second largest source of copper on Earth. These two metals are essential to developing the green energy infrastructure and technologies that underpin a net zero economy. The expected outcomes are a detailed record of paleo-fluid flow and metal cycling in Australia's highly prospective sedimentary basins. Read moreRead less
Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. This project aims to develop and test models to evaluate past tectonic processes and configurations in South-east Australia, using both new and existing geological, geophysical and isotopic data. Over the past 550 million years, plate tectonic processes have formed metal-rich mineral deposits in South-east Australia. The project will identify areas of ....Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia. This project aims to develop and test models to evaluate past tectonic processes and configurations in South-east Australia, using both new and existing geological, geophysical and isotopic data. Over the past 550 million years, plate tectonic processes have formed metal-rich mineral deposits in South-east Australia. The project will identify areas of high potential for economically valuable ore deposits, enabling more efficient prioritisation of mineral exploration efforts. This is expected to increase the probability of significant ore deposit discoveries leading to national economic benefit.Read moreRead less
Evolution of Proterozoic multistage rift basins – key to mineral systems. This project will deliver a new quantitative and integrated exploratory framework for the mineral industry in Australia’s frontier sedimentary basins by integrating the latest advances in laboratory experimental tectonics with thermo-mechanical numerical, surface process and geophysical modelling. The project will use northern Australian basins as a natural laboratory to address the fundamental processes involved in the de ....Evolution of Proterozoic multistage rift basins – key to mineral systems. This project will deliver a new quantitative and integrated exploratory framework for the mineral industry in Australia’s frontier sedimentary basins by integrating the latest advances in laboratory experimental tectonics with thermo-mechanical numerical, surface process and geophysical modelling. The project will use northern Australian basins as a natural laboratory to address the fundamental processes involved in the development of sedimentary ore systems. The project will investigate how they can be detected by modern exploration techniques using a multidisciplinary approach with a team of experts with backgrounds in mineral and petroleum systems. Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$417,000.00
Summary
Hunting high and low: mapping ancient topography to find copper. Transitioning to a decarbonised society requires significant amounts of copper; however, preventing a systems-based exploration approach for copper is the lack of a first-order dataset of the Earth’s surface evolution, known as palaeogeography. This project aims to unearth potential areas of porphyry copper through deep time by developing innovative global palaeogeography reconstructions. Expected outcomes of this project include n ....Hunting high and low: mapping ancient topography to find copper. Transitioning to a decarbonised society requires significant amounts of copper; however, preventing a systems-based exploration approach for copper is the lack of a first-order dataset of the Earth’s surface evolution, known as palaeogeography. This project aims to unearth potential areas of porphyry copper through deep time by developing innovative global palaeogeography reconstructions. Expected outcomes of this project include new quantitative palaeogeography reconstructions, as well as the first well-constrained reconstructions of copper preservation potential. This should provide benefits such as an improved understanding of the porphyry copper lifecycle, with significant impacts for resource exploration and decarbonisation efforts.Read moreRead less
Earth's best-preserved Archean boninites: do they finally resolve the Archean mantle plume - plate tectonics controversy? Subduction typically starts on the modern Earth with the eruption of chemically distinctive rocks known as boninites. This project will study remarkably well preserved 2.85 billion year old boninites from Western Australia that may finally establish whether modern-style plate tectonics operated in the first half of Earth's history.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE230101642
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$357,299.00
Summary
Earth’s mid-life crisis: recipe for a habitable planet? This project aims to establish the state and nature of the physical Earth systems (climate, topography, geography, erosion, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle) during the Neoproterozoic Era that made our planet habitable to complex life. By analysing these systems together, fundamental drivers and contributions to making a habitable planet will be untangled. Expected outcomes include the first ever series of climate models of this time period, as w ....Earth’s mid-life crisis: recipe for a habitable planet? This project aims to establish the state and nature of the physical Earth systems (climate, topography, geography, erosion, carbon cycle, oxygen cycle) during the Neoproterozoic Era that made our planet habitable to complex life. By analysing these systems together, fundamental drivers and contributions to making a habitable planet will be untangled. Expected outcomes include the first ever series of climate models of this time period, as well a series of digital reconstructions of the physical systems themselves. Sedimentary hosted ore deposits, such as copper and cobalt, are formed partly as a function of erosion and climate, allowing us to provide a mechanistic driver to their formation, and consequently exploration.Read moreRead less
The lost ocean of eastern Australia and its critical metals endowment. This project aims to unravel the tectonic origin and economic potential of ultramafic rocks (rocks which host elevated concentrations of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and platinum-group elements). Such rocks are outcropping in eastern Australia along a contorted ~1500 km long belt that may record relics of an ancient ocean. Through detailed mapping and cutting-edge analytical techniques, the project is expected to fill a crucial ....The lost ocean of eastern Australia and its critical metals endowment. This project aims to unravel the tectonic origin and economic potential of ultramafic rocks (rocks which host elevated concentrations of nickel, cobalt, chromium, and platinum-group elements). Such rocks are outcropping in eastern Australia along a contorted ~1500 km long belt that may record relics of an ancient ocean. Through detailed mapping and cutting-edge analytical techniques, the project is expected to fill a crucial knowledge gap in Australian tectonics, while providing information on ore mineralisation. The expected outcomes, including new tectonic models unveiling the scale, geometry, and economic potential of the ultramafic bodies, could benefit critical mineral exploration, carbon storage solutions, and geoecology conservation.Read moreRead less