Project goals

NSW Resources is supporting critical mineral and deep groundwater exploration by acquiring seismic data in central NSW. Seismic acquisition needs to start between March and April 2025. Acquisition must be complete by early June. Seismic data will help improve our understanding of the structure of the geology of the Hermidale terrain and Macquarie Arc in Central Lachlan Orogen. These areas are prospective for critical and high-tech metals needed for NSW energy transition, and for deep groundwater sources in sandstones. Seismic data will inform us about:

• rocks that may host deep groundwater for use in times of drought by agriculture, towns and industry

• rocks suitable for storing groundwater in times of surplus

• the minerals systems and their plumbing

• geological faults and

• the tectonic history of NSW. All data acquired will be made publicly available. Seismic data is used by explorers, engineers and geoscientist to better understand rocks.

Scope

A minimum of 200 km of hybrid shallow- and deep-crustal reflection seismic data over Central NSW. And possibly traffic control and a ground gravity survey, if the budget permits. Extra seismic may be acquired depending on the budget.