NOTES
FORTHCOMING ISSUES
| ISSUE (QUARTER) | Release Date |
| December 2005 | 15 March 2006 |
| March 2006 | 14 June 2006 |
| June 2006 | 13 September 2006 |
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 Janine Phasavath on Sydney (02) 9268 4357.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
TREND ESTIMATES
The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased by 2.9% to $281.1m in the September quarter 2005. The estimate has risen in the last eight quarters and is now 17.5% higher than the September quarter 2004 estimate.
Mineral Exploration, Seasonally adjusted and trend series
The largest increases this quarter were in Queensland (up $1.9m or 4.4%) and South Australia (up $1.9m or 9.5%). Most states showed increasing expenditure levels this quarter, with only Western Australia showing a decrease of 0.6%.
The trend estimate for metres drilled decreased by 1.3% this quarter. The current estimate is now 4.4% lower than the September quarter estimate for last year.
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE
The seasonally adjusted estimate of mineral exploration expenditure increased by $17.7m (6.6%) this quarter. South Australia had the largest increase (of $8.5m or 52.1%), while Western Australia had the only decrease (of $7.5m or 4.7%).
In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure increased by $1.3m (0.4%). Exploration on areas of new deposits decreased by $9.7m (8.4%), while expenditure on areas of existing deposits increased by $11.1m (6.3%).
In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on copper exploration (up $9.1m or 40.6%), with the largest increase occurring in Queensland.
The largest decrease came from expenditure on iron ore exploration (down $9.4m or 20.6%).
Mineral Exploration, Original series
MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)
METRES DRILLED
In seasonally adjusted terms, total metres drilled increased by 4.8% in the September quarter 2005. In original terms total metres drilled rose by 2.9%, due to an increase in drilling in areas of existing deposits (up by 6.5%). Drilling in areas of new deposits fell by 2.0%.
Metres Drilled, Original Series
PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
OVERVIEW
Expenditure on petroleum exploration for the September quarter 2005 increased by $3.5m (1.3%) to $282.0m.
Expenditure on exploration on production leases increased (by $13.5m or 18.3%), while exploration on all other areas decreased (by $10.1m or 4.9%) this quarter.
There was a decrease of $7.5m (3.6%) in offshore exploration, while onshore exploration expenditure increased by $11.0m (16.0%).
Petroleum Exploration, Original series
REGIONAL DATA
Petroleum exploration expenditure movements varied across the states this quarter. South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory increased, while all other states showed decreases. Victoria had the largest fall of $16.3m (41.8%). South Australia recorded the largest increase of $15.5m (109.9%).
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