SUMMARY COMMENTARY


MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased 6.6% ($26.4m) to $428.5m in the June quarter 2017. The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate this quarter was Western Australia (up 6.5%, $17.4m). The current quarter estimate is 23.5% higher than the June quarter 2016 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for mineral exploration expenditure rose 9.9% ($39.3m) to $437.7m in the June quarter 2017. The largest contributor to the rise this quarter was Western Australia (up 5.3%, $14.3m).

In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose 31.8% ($107.3m) to $444.9m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration on areas of new deposits rose 32.1% ($33.0m) and expenditure on areas of existing deposits rose 31.6% ($74.1m).

In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on selected base metals (up 73.0%, $39.7m).

METRES DRILLED

The trend estimate for metres drilled rose 6.9% in the June quarter 2017. The current quarter estimate is 27.0% higher than the June quarter 2016 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for metres drilled rose 5.2% in the June quarter 2017.

In original terms, metres drilled rose 44.5%. Drilling in areas of new deposits rose 41.1% and drilling in areas of existing deposits rose 44.5%.

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 0.9% ($3.0m) to $345.8m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration expenditure on production leases rose 35.1% ($14.5m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas fell 3.6% (-$10.8m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 4.7% ($16.1m) to $355.6m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration expenditure on production leases rose 53.1% ($22.2m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas fell 2.0% (-$6.0m).

The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate was Northern Territory (up 19.3%, $20.6m) and the largest contributor to the rise in the seasonally adjusted estimate was Queensland (up 24.3%, $11.1m).

ONSHORE

The trend estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 12.9% ($15.0m) to $131.6m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 19.7% ($13.4m) and other onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 3.1% ($1.5m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 10.5% (-$14.7m) to $125.1m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 1.9% ($1.5m) and other onshore petroleum exploration fell 26.1% (-$16.2m).

OFFSHORE

The trend estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 4.8% (-$10.9m) to $215.2m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 2.8% ($3.7m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 15.4% (-$14.7m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 15.5% ($30.9m) to $230.6m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 22.3% ($26.4m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 5.5% ($4.5m).

NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER)	Release Date
September 2017	4 December 2017
December 2017	5 March 2018
March 2018	4 June 2018
June 2018	3 September 2018

CHANGES TO THE NEXT ISSUE

• This is the final issue for which a readily printable (PDF) publication will be released. As of the September 2017 issue (scheduled for release 4 December 2017), headline data items will be presented in HTML format. Data series released in the Time Series Spreadsheets will be maintained and produced to the same timetable currently in place for this release.
• The ABS is considering proposals to change the survey questions in order to better capture greenfields exploration activity. The ABS invites, and welcomes feedback on this strategy and interested parties should contact alise.ferreira@abs.gov.au.

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