Natural Resources and Mines Minister Andrew Cripps said data from the surveys – which includes the Thomson area to the southwest of the state – would provide new information about mineral and energy resources and assist in local land and vegetation management.

“The Geological Survey of Queensland recently completed three aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys in the Thomson and Galilee Basin areas,” Cripps said.

“They collected more than 460,000 line kilometres of data covering an area of more than 165,000 square kilometres.

“For explorers, the data will help identify potential new mineral and energy resources that will stimulate further exploration investment in Queensland’s greenfield and frontier terrains.

“The Galilee survey will also be a valuable guide to future energy resource exploration, including the search for new coal, coal seam gas and geothermal resources.”

Cripps said the surveys would also help landholders better manage their properties.

“These maps will be a useful resource for soil mapping, vegetation management and better land-use stewardship,” he said.

Cripps said the three surveys were conducted through the Queensland government’s $18 million greenfields 2020 program.

“This initiative is designed to boost the mining sector and jobs by revitalising exploration in more mature provinces and stimulating new exploration in underexplored areas,” he said.

“Completion of the Thomson and Galilee surveys means that approximately 95 per cent of Queensland has now been fully surveyed using high quality magnetic and radiometric technology.”