NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER)	Release Date
September 2009	9 December 2009
December 2009	10 March 2010
March 2010	9 June 2010
June 2010	8 September 2010

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 fell $55.1m (10.7%) to $461.1m in the June quarter 2009. The current estimate is 32.3% lower than the June quarter 2008 estimate.

The largest contributions to the fall this quarter were in Western Australia (down $31.6m or 10.8%) and South Australia (down $9.4m or 19.7%).

The trend estimate for metres drilled fell 13.0% this quarter. The current estimate is 39.9% lower than the June quarter estimate for last year.


MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)


EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE

The seasonally adjusted estimate of mineral exploration expenditure fell $27.6m (5.6%) to $464.8m in the June quarter 2009. The largest falls this quarter were in Queensland (down $11.8m or 14.0%) and Western Australia (down $9.9m or 3.6%).

In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose $80.0m (19.8%). Western Australia had the largest rise of $50.6m (22.6%), followed by Northern Territory which rose $18.3m (87.6%).

In original terms, exploration on areas of new deposits rose $33.3m (22.4%), while expenditure on areas of existing deposits rose $46.8m (18.4%).

In original terms, the largest rise by minerals sought came from expenditure on iron ore exploration (up $33.0m or 31.3%), with the largest rise occurring in Western Australia. The next largest rise came from expenditure on uranium exploration (up $21.2m or 76.5%).

MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)


METRES DRILLED

In seasonally adjusted terms, total metres drilled rose 4.4% in the June quarter 2009. In original terms total metres drilled rose 40.3%. Drilling in areas of new deposits rose 54.1% and drilling in areas of existing deposits rose 35.0%.

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION


OVERVIEW

Expenditure on petroleum exploration for the June quarter 2009 rose $18.8m (1.9%) to $1017.4m.

Expenditure on exploration on production leases rose $91.3m (43.6%), while exploration on all other areas fell $72.5m (9.2%) this quarter.

Offshore exploration fell $44.9m (4.9%) in the June quarter 2009, while onshore exploration expenditure rose $63.7m (73.9%).

REGIONAL DATA

In the June quarter 2009, Western Australia had the largest rise in petroleum exploration expenditure of $28.0m (3.5%). Victoria had the largest fall of $37.1m (84.9%).