The survey seeks to gather large-scale, 3D subsurface data to identify belt-scale architecture including cross-arc structures that may direct fluid flow and influence the formation of large-scale intrusive bodies and mineral systems.
Fleet Space will place lightweight seismic sensors (geodes) on the ground in a grid, capturing high-quality 3D Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) data at scale while minimising environmental impact.
This real-time 3D ANT data from the sensors is then transmitted to Fleet Space’s proprietary satellite network in low Earth orbit and converted into detailed 3D visualisations of the subsurface, enhancing mineral systems knowledge and drill targeting decisions on site.
Looking for the next major discovery
ANT imaging is becoming increasingly popular with major mining companies like Barrick Gold, Gold Fields and AngloGold Ashanti on the hunt for undercover copper-gold discoveries – and Legacy Minerals (ASX:LGM) is confident it could the next player in the region to find a big deposit.
Across the Thomson Project there are numerous, undercover targets defined by discrete, ‘bullseye’ magnetic and gravity anomalies with similar character to other Tier-1 deposits but with only limited, shallow or mis-target drilling conducted to date.
The company hopes to zero in on these targets with the help of the Fleet Space survey.
“Fleet Space’s real-time 3D ANT surveys have rapidly become an important new exploration tool that is being utilised by major miners, including Barrick and Anglo Gold Ashanti, to target undercover discoveries,” CEO and managing director Christopher Byrne said.
“It provides a systematic dataset that when combined with regional gravity and magnetic surveys helps prioritise areas for drill testing.”
The next new mineral province?
Byrne says the Thomson Project presents a rare, unexplored belt-scale gold and copper search space across 5500km2.
The NSW Geological Survey (GSNSW) has suggested the basement rocks within the Thomson Orogen have the possibility to hold similar mineral potential to adjoining belts, including the base metal and gold endowment of the Lachlan Orogen to the south which is over 80Moz gold and 13Mt copper.
“As part of our plans to fast track a potential discovery we are excited to implement Fleet Space’s end-to-end mineral exploration solution driven by space and 3D artificial intelligence ExoSphere modelling,” he said.
“Based on our consideration that the Southern Thomson region is one of the most under-explored orogens in Australia, we staked a significant position in line with the belief that the next major new mineral province will be undercover and is yet to be found.
“Using this latest cutting-edge technology, Legacy Minerals is attempting to make a major discovery in the district and we are moving quickly with the survey planned to commence in November with results expected within this quarter.”