The pioneering 4-year South Australia Exploration Initiative set new benchmarks in the following areas:
Metres of drilling activity
- Trebled from 201,000m in 1991 to 634,000 in 1997.
Private mineral exploration
- Rose from AUS$17.2 million in 1991 to AUS$53 million in 1997.
Area of state under mineral licence
- Trebled from 14% in 1991 to more than 40% in 1997.
Level of company exploration in SAEI target areas
- Rose from 5% in 1993 to 70% in 1997.
Exploration successes directly attributable to SAEI
- Challenger and Golf Bore gold deposits in northern Gawler Craton.
- Campfire Bore, Tunkillia and Nuckulla Hill prospects in Gawler Craton.
- Significant iron ore resources defined in the Gawler Craton.
- The Abminga area diamond potential.
- Base metal and gold deposits in the Portia region of the Curnamona Province.
Groundwater resources
Improved assessments of availability from Great Artesian Basin.