DMITRE Minerals

Jump to content

Search

 

Navigation

 

Curnamona Sedimentary Basin Model

Curnamona - Click to enlarge

 

 

The Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic Curnamona Province is overlain by sedimentary basins containing Neoproterozoic, Cambrian, Mesozoic and Cenozoic sediments. These cover sediments can introduce considerable complexities and costs to mineral exploration within bedrock.

This 3D model of cover overlying the Curnamona Province was created by DMITRE's Mineral Resources Division as a convenient way of visualising the distribution and thickness of these basin sediments.

The model enables depth estimations from the surface to key surfaces, including top of Palaeo-Mesoproterozoic, base of Cambrian, base of Mesozoic and base of Cenozoic. Depth estimations are derived from a combination of drillhole data, seismic interpretation and aeromagnetic modelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the model 

In order to increase its accessibility, the Curnamona model has been converted to .pdf format, allowing for maximum portability and eliminating the need for the end user to purchase any specialised software.

The user can fully interact with the model using Adobe Acrobat’s 3D Toolbar (Note: the toolbar varies with the version of Acrobat Reader):

Adobe Acrobat 3D toolbar

1. Rotate
2. Spin
3. Pan
4. Zoom
5. Default view
6. Select view

 7. Toggle model tree
 8. Pause animation
 9. Use orthographic projection
10. Model render mode
11. Enable extra lighting
12. Background colour (disabled if a gradient background is being used)

 

The user can also:

  • Selectively activate and/or deactivate any geological unit or fault
  • Identify units with a mouse-click
  • Apply 10, 25, 50 or 100 times vertical exaggeration 
  • Dynamic cross-sectioning 

Software information
The models can be viewed with Acrobat Reader 9 as it incorporates 3D visualisation capabilities. Acrobat Reader 9 can be downloaded free from the Adobe website.

Download the model

Gocad
Curnamona Sedimentary 3D model Gocad (.zip 36.4Mb, opens in new window)

.pdf
Curnamona Sedimentary 3D model .pdf (.zip 68.4Mb, opens in new window)

Source data files
Curnamona Sedimentary 3D model source data files (.zip 6.8Mb, opens in new window)

Image of the Curnamona Province 3D sedimentary basin model

 

Note: these models are presented as a 'proof of concept' only and their accuracy (spatial or otherwise) should not be relied upon for exploration or other decision making processes.

A guide for mineral exploration through the regolith in the Curnamona Province, South Australia

AJ Fabris, MJ Sheard, JL Keeling, SM Hill, KG McQueen, CHH Conor and P de Caritat

Image of 'A guide for mineral exploratioin through the regolith in the Curnamona Province, SA

Includes:

  • landscape evolution of the region
  • descriptions of the regolith
  • exploration strategies

A legacy from the Cooperative Research Centre for Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME).

Free download of A guide for mineral exploration through the regolith in the Curnamona Province, SA (external site, opens in new window)