New project integrating geoscience and machine learning.
The Gawler Challenge: Next Generation Mineral Systems Mapping aims to combine new geoscience data with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to bring forward exploration discoveries. This will be brought about by the development of the next generation of mineral system models that de-risk exploration investment.
The project is a direct result of the success of Explore SA: The Gawler Challenge data competition run in 2020 which prompted the South Australian government to commit $5 million over 3 years to take the outcomes to the next level. The competition created a shift in thinking and practice.
This next phase aims to realise the potential this shift can have for unlocking the mineral potential of the state. It will help identify or predict the location of new mineral systems for industry and collaborators to advance new mineral discoveries, ultimately translating to mining operations and the growth of the resources and supporting sectors in South Australia.
The key aims are to:
- Future proof the delivery of geoscience data by the Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) to support current and future machine learning and artificial intelligence applications to mineral exploration (data science).
- Open and define new search spaces through filling key gaps in geoscience data in underexplored parts of the state (acquisition).
- Generate new mineral system knowledge, particularly in underexplored parts of the state identified as prospective in Explore SA: The Gawler Challenge results and other prospectivity studies (insight).
- Foster a strong exploration data science community and partnerships between mineral explorers, data scientists and government.
The tripartite structure of The Gawler Challenge: Next Generation Mineral Systems Mapping.
The GSSA is very excited to be leading this project to deliver step changes in the utilisation of data towards successful mineral exploration. More details will be released as the project continues to evolve.
Background
Explore SA: The Gawler Challenge was run by the Department for Energy and Mining in collaboration with Unearthed. This unique crowdsourced open data competition was aimed at uncovering new mineral knowledge and exploration prospects in the Gawler Craton region through the review of big data, particularly by the emerging fields of artificial intelligence and machine learning. A world government first, the challenge was a unique blend of geoscience, data analysis and machine learning – harnessing the potential of a global pool of expertise and ideas. The competition received international investor, government and resources media interest, and attracted over 2,200 registrants from over 90 countries.
Access the results of Explore SA: The Gawler Challenge (story map)
Summary reports of the outcomes of the 25 top entrants are currently being prepared by 2 independent assessors. These will be made available to the public in June and will help to inform details of The Gawler Challenge: Next Generation Mineral Systems Mapping.
See ExploreSA; The Gawler Challenge story map to access results.
– Stephan Thiel and Peter Buxton, April 2021
