NOTES
FORTHCOMING ISSUES
| ISSUE (QUARTER) | Release Date |
| March 2007 | 13 June 2007 |
| June 2007 | 12 September 2007 |
| September 2007 | 12 December 2007 |
CHANGES TO THIS ISSUE
There are no changes in this issue.
INQUIRIES
For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Mark Busby on Sydney (02) 9268 4533.
SUMMARY COMMENTARY
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
TREND ESTIMATES
The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased by $36.0m (9.5%) to $416.1m in the December quarter 2006. The estimate is now 40.6% higher than the December quarter 2005 estimate.
Mineral Exploration, Seasonally adjusted and trend series
The largest contributions to the increase this quarter were in Western Australia (up $21.7m or 12.2%) and Victoria (up $3.8m or 16.8%). All states except Tasmania showed increasing expenditure levels this quarter.
The trend estimate for metres drilled increased by 7.5% this quarter. The current estimate is now 28.0% higher than the December quarter estimate for last year.
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE
The seasonally adjusted estimate of mineral exploration expenditure increased by $37.0m (9.6%) to $424.0m in the December quarter 2006. The largest increase this quarter was in Western Australia (up $17.2m or 9.4%).
In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure increased by $53.6m (13.6%). Western Australia had the largest increase of $27.1m (14.2%), while Tasmania had the largest decrease of $0.7m (10.6%).
In original terms, exploration on areas of new deposits increased by $21.7m (15.7%), while expenditure on areas of existing deposits increased by $31.9m (12.5%).
In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on gold exploration (up $20.7m or 19.8%), with the largest increase occurring in Western Australia. The next largest increase came from expenditure on coal exploration (up $9.5m or 18.8%). No mineral category showed a decrease in exploration expenditure this quarter.
Mineral Exploration, Original series
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
METRES DRILLED
In seasonally adjusted terms, total metres drilled increased by 7.0% in the December quarter 2006. In original terms total metres drilled decreased by 6.7%. Drilling in areas of new deposits increased by 10.8% and drilling in areas of existing deposits decreased by 16.7%.
Metres Drilled, Original series
PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
OVERVIEW
Expenditure on petroleum exploration for the December quarter 2006 increased by $55.9m (11.4%) to $544.5m.
Expenditure on exploration on production leases increased (by $3.8m or 2.9%), while exploration on all other areas increased (by $52.0m or 14.6%) this quarter.
There was an increase of $19.2m (5.0%) in offshore exploration, while onshore exploration expenditure increased by $36.7m (34.0%).
Petroleum Exploration, Original series
REGIONAL DATA
In the December quarter 2006, Western Australia had the largest increase in petroleum exploration expenditure of $56.2m (19.4%), followed by Queensland with an increase of $20.4m (56.4%). Northern Territory had the largest decrease of $26.2m (25.8%).
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