Presidential address delivered in Perth on 26 September 1994

Abstract

Australia's income is largely dependent on the mining of world‐class ore deposits replenishment of which relies on successful exploration strategies. Exploration strategies are guided by models of ore deposit occurrence and formation derived from both observation and an understanding of geological process. The construction of ore deposit models is dynamic and benefits from collaborative research, at times between disciplines apparently unrelated to economic geology. The use of both uniformitarian and non‐uniformitarian concepts, will further define favourable epochs and regimes for major mineralization. New technology is dramatically affecting geology at all scales and, while the use of tried and proven methods continues, digital data acquisition and analysis, a product of Global Positioning Systems and Geographic Information Systems, amongst others, is becoming integral with geology. The density of measurement, and growing power of interpretation, of magnetic, electromagnetic and gravity fields is undergoing a paradigm shift, comparable to that seen in the oil exploration industry some twenty years ago. Isotopes are being used to develop ore deposit process models with practical exploration criteria. Petrological research is refining ideas of copper and gold concentration in favourable magma systems and is developing criteria for ore deposit search. Laboratory measurement techniques are evolving to a degree of precision enabling the origin and potential diamond grade of kimberlitic rocks to be predicted. Computerized prediction of gold deposits using regional structural concepts is now a reality. Geology will quantify the debate on global climatic change and influence types of energy consumption. A revolution in the electronic storage, retrieval and use of information is taking geology into the world of information cyberspace where publication media are undergoing a paradigm shift. Geology continues to be a resource sector industry advocating the balanced study and sustainable development of minerals for national prosperity but still needs to capture the belief and support of the community.