Results of a new high-tech aerial survey of underground resources will reveal new sources of groundwater that will assist Western Australia’s government in future decisions about onsite drilling and other investigations.
The electromagnetic survey being conducted across seven shires in the state’s mid-west will reveal a never-before-seen picture of the area’s ancient underground reserves. During the survey, a helicopter will fly at about 90 m above ground with a large coil hung beneath it as it sends an electromagnetic pulse into the ground. It will cover 57,000 m² across the East Murchison region.
WA water minister Mia Davies said the study will locate and accurately map palaeochannels formed millions of years ago during wetter climates. These have the potential for being a good source of groundwater with opportunities for pastoral and agricultural developments in the area.
“While small volumes of groundwater are already accessed by pastoral and mining industries, groundwater is relatively sparse in this area and we are only just beginning to build our knowledge of the palaeochannel aquifers,” Ms Davies said.
“There is also a lot of mining activity underway or planned in the Murchison mineral province and water availability is an important consideration for mining developments, with a strong demand for large supplies of low salinity water.”
The survey is part of the WA government’s $1.9 million Royalties for Regions groundwater investigation initiative.
Photo: WA Government
This news item has been posted by Engineers Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Engineers Australia.