John moved across to the University of Western Australia in February 2006 to take up a position as a senior research fellow in the Centre for Exploration Targeting. John’s most significant contributions to research have been in the fields of structural geology, tectonics and mineralisation. For the last 9 years he has focussed on structural controls on mineralisation, ranging in scale from a single ore shoot within a deposit to regional controls on ore body development. John has a current focus on developing new mapping methodologies that utilise recently developed software (such as Leapfrog for drill hole modelling and geomodeller) to efficiently utilise company data bases to produce more focussed and rapid results.

Externally funded Research Grants

Australia Research Council Grant LP0776780 - Tectonostratigraphic controls on the localization of Archaean komatiite hosted nickel sulphide deposits and camps in the Yilgarn Craton

Researchers: Prof TC McCuaig; Prof ME Barley; Dr J Miller; Dr M Fiorentini; Dr SW Beresford

Project summary: Nickel contributes $2 billion per year to Australia's export income. Currently 80% of that comes from nickel sulphide deposits in regional Australia that are expected to be exhausted within thirty years barring significant new discoveries. Although discovery rates have been declining, as the 'easy' targets have been found, there remains considerable potential for future major discoveries. This project addresses the pressing need for new data and improved exploration techniques to enable industry to target new discoveries. As our nickel mines are located in remote communities such discoveries also have major benefits for regional Australia.

Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s)
St Barbara
BHP Billiton
LionOre Australia (Nickel) Ltd

ARC funds over 3 years: $660000

2007 : $ 100,000
2008 : $ 200,000
2009 : $ 230,000
2010 : $ 130,000


Australia Research Council Grant LP0882157 - Controls on Gold Mineralisation in Central Victoria: Towards New Exploration Models

Researchers: Prof CJ Wilson; A/Prof D Phillips; Dr J Miller; Dr MA Kendrick

Project Summary: The proposed project will develop and evaluate new exploration models with implications for gold exploration and mining/investment in Victoria. The frontier research techniques to be employed will ensure that Australian geoscience remains at the forefront of international research. This project will also provide unprecedented research training opportunities for the next generation of Australian Earth Scientists. As prospective gold terranes are located in regional Australia, enhanced exploration and mining activity in future years may have significant economic and infrastructure benefits for rural and regional communities.

Collaborating/Partner Organisation(s)
GeoScience Victoria, Department of Primary Industries
Perseverance Corporation Limited
Ballarat Goldfields (Lihir Gold Limited)
Bendigo Mining NL

ARC funds over 3 years: $410000

2008 : $ 130,000
2009 : $ 140,000
2010 : $ 140,000

2002 to 2005 - Research Fellow for the Predictive Mineral Discovery Cooperative Research Centre (pmd*CRC) at the University of Melbourne
2002 - Research Fellow funded by the Colorado School of Mines based at Monash University
1999 to 2001 - Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne

Gold

1. 3D Modelling and structural mapping of the Jundee deposit, Yandal Belt, W.A. (CET project)
2. 1:15000 and 1:25000 scale structural interpretations of the St Ives gold field (Greater Victory Area to Kambalda Dome)(pmd*CRC project).
3. Plutonic underground structural geology project, Plutonic Well Greenstone Belt, W.A. (CET project)
4. Regional stratigraphic, structural geology and mineralisation synthesis of the Plutonic Well Greenstone Belt, W.A. (CET project)
5. Integration and correlation of the world class Wallaby and Sunrise Dam deposits into the evolution of the Laverton region, W.A. (pmd*CRC project)
6. Structural evolution of the Ballarat gold lodes, Ballarat, Victoria (pmd*CRC project)

Nickel

7. 4D model of the Emily Ann - Maggie Hays Brownfields corridor, Lake Johnston Greenstone Belt, W.A. (CET project).
8. Implications for Ni potential in the Leonora and Southern Cross-Forrestania belts, W.A. (CET project).

Copper

9. Structural controls on the Mt Isa Cu ore body, Mt Isa, Qld (pmd*CRC project).
10. Synthesis of the Cu events in the Mt Isa inlier (pmd*CRC project).

Structural controls on mineralization and tectonics with experience in Archaean and Paleozoic gold systems, Isa Copper, Olmypic Dam, and MVT Pb-Zn systems

Structural geology, Ar/Ar geochronology, tectonics and mineralisation