Bulletin No. 35 - Explanatory notes for the Koonenberry Belt Geological Maps

Abstract

The Koonenberry Belt in the far northwestern area of New South Wales (north-northeast of the internationally renowned mining centre of Broken Hill) forms a significant segment of the Cambrian Delamerian Orogen that developed along the eastern margin of the AustralianAntarctic continent following the late Proterozoic Rodinian break-up and the birth of the Proto-Pacific Ocean. Following the Delamerian Orogeny, the belt has undergone a rich history of multiple uplift, sedimentation and deformation throughout the Phanerozoic.The Koonenberry Belt is prospective for a range of commodities including gold, copper and nickel and is underexplored by modern exploration methods. Since 1995 the Koonenberry Belt has been a focus of investigation by the Geological Survey of New South Wales. Regional geological mapping was undertaken throughout the belt following acquisition of highresolution geophysical data and a deep seismic reflection survey, funded by New South Wales Government initiatives including Discovery 2000, Exploration NSW and New Frontiers. In addition, NSW Department of Primary Industries staff worked within the former CRC LEME (Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration) to conduct numerous regolith and baseline geochemistry studies in the Koonenberry Belt area. The outcomes of this regional mapping and research include major advancements in the understanding of the geological history of the Koonenberry Belt. A total of 497 units have been mapped, including 72 new, formally defined units.

Reference

Greenfield J.E., Gilmore P.J. & Mills K.J. (compilers). 2010. Explanatory notes for the Koonenberry Belt geological maps. Geological Survey of New South Wales, Bulletin 35.

Comments

The Koonenberry Belt in northwestern NSW is prospective for a range of commodities - gold, copper and nickel - and is underexplored by modern exploration methods. GSNSW conducted regional geological mapping following acquisition of high resolution geophysical data and a deep seismic reflection survey as well as regolith and baseline geochemistry studies. 497 units have been mapped, including 72 new, formally defined units. The Bulletin accompanies 22 geological maps (12 x 1:100 000 and 4 x 1:25 000 geological maps; 2 x 1:250 000 solid geology interpretation maps and 4 x 1:100 000 regolith maps). A DVD of the data is included.