NOTES
FORTHCOMING ISSUES
| ISSUE (QUARTER) | Release Date |
| March 2008 | 11 June 2008 |
| June 2008 | 10 September 2008 |
| September 2008 | 10 December 2008 |
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 $39.7m (7.4%) to $574.5m in the December quarter 2007. The estimate is now 38.8% higher than the December quarter 2006 estimate.
Mineral Exploration, Seasonally adjusted and trend series
The largest contributions to the increase this quarter were in Western Australia (up $23.5m or 8.7%) and Queensland (up $6.3m or 7.6%).
The trend estimate for metres drilled increased by 5.2% this quarter. The current estimate is now 15.8% 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 $33.7m (6.2%) to $578.7m in the December quarter 2007. The largest increase this quarter was in Western Australia (up $11.2m or 4.0%). Tasmania showed the only decrease of $0.3m (3.3%).
In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure increased by $62.5m (11.1%). Western Australia had the largest increase of $20.5m (7.0%), followed by Queensland with an increase of $15.0m (17.7%).
In original terms, exploration on areas of new deposits increased by $64.7m (30.9%), while expenditure on areas of existing deposits decreased by $2.2m (0.6%).
In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on uranium exploration (up $19.6m or 39.2%), with the largest component of this increase occurring in South Australia. The next largest increase came from expenditure on nickel and cobalt exploration (up $19.1m or 28.6%). The largest decrease in exploration expenditure this quarter was on iron ore (down $14.3m or 12.7%).
Mineral Exploration, Original series
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
METRES DRILLED
In seasonally adjusted terms, total metres drilled increased by 8.8% in the December quarter 2007. In original terms total metres drilled decreased by 4.3%. Drilling in areas of new deposits decreased by 8.1% and drilling in areas of existing deposits decreased by 1.7%.
Metres Drilled, Original series
PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
OVERVIEW
Expenditure on petroleum exploration for the December quarter 2007 increased by $71.7m (10.3%) to $770.0m.
Expenditure on exploration on production leases decreased by $10.8m (7.1%), while exploration on all other areas increased by $82.4m (15.1%) this quarter.
There was an increase of $25.3m (4.3%) in offshore exploration, while onshore exploration expenditure increased by $46.4m (40.9%).
Petroleum Exploration, Original series
REGIONAL DATA
In the December quarter 2007, Northern Territory had the largest increase in petroleum exploration expenditure of $79.8m (238.2%). Western Australia had the largest decrease of $33.8m (6.2%).
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