GSWA enewsletter Edition 52

WA Geology — geology mapping app for mobile devices

geology mapping app for mobile devices GSWA has released a mobile web application called WA Geology. The WA Geology application is a free, device-independent Geographical Information Systems (GIS) viewer which provides viewing, querying and integration of a wide range of Western Australian geoscience and resource datasets via mobile phones and tablets.

This information includes:

Recently updated 1:500 000 State interpreted bedrock geology
Mines and mineral deposits, major resources projects, petroleum licences and wells and mining tenements
Location of key infrastructure such as towns and roads
Various statewide image datasets including geophysics, geology and topography

The viewing tool is based on the Geocortex Viewer for HTML5 framework. HTML5 markup language provides wide-ranging browser support making the application device independent. The Stage 1 release provides a URL connection that can be copied and pasted into the mobile device web browser and will permit viewing of the datasets while connected to a network. Stage 2 will enable the caching of datasets to enable viewing while offline.

Most mobile devices support location information via inbuilt GPS functionality, which combined with WA Geology’s geoscience and resource information, makes your mobile device a valuable accessory for geology and land-use mapping. Other tools include:

Identifying — identify a point or an area of interest to get a report containing descriptions for all selected features intersecting that point or contained in that area
Measuring — measure an area or distance. Select the units for distance and area measurements. To measure a distance, tap the screen. This gives the distance for a path. To finish, double tap on the screen. Measure an area by tapping on the screen to form the area. To close the area, double tap on the screen
Drawing — the Drawing tools function allows the user to draw points, lines, polygons and text on the screen
Printing — print the map as it is displayed. The final map is sent to your mobile device as a PDF. This can then be saved to the mobile device storage, or emailed to a third party

WA Geology provides a new means of delivering the State’s geoscience and resource information.

A familiarity with your mobile device is presumed. No specific GIS or database knowledge is required.

There is no app to download. Cut and paste the URL <wageology.dmp.wa.gov.au/wageology> into your mobile device web browser or visit the WA Geology web page (www.dmp.wa.gov.au/wageology).

GSWA database training

There are still spaces left for Kalgoorlie database training on 18 June!

GSWA database training There are only a few spaces left for the free training session scheduled for Kalgoorlie on Thursday 18 June 2015. The session is hosted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum to demonstrate current online systems. This is your opportunity to try these services for yourself and chat with the staff who create and manage them.

The format is an interactive presentation which includes:

navigating the Department of Mines and Petroleum’s (DMP) website
searching for geoscience publications
finding digital datasets using the Data and Software Centre
searching for open-file mineral exploration reports using WAMEX
searching the mineral drillholes and geochemistry databases
bringing it all together with the interactive map viewer, GeoVIEW.WA, WA Geology (a new mobile device app, described above) and GeoMap.WA, a standalone GIS viewer for Windows.
Mining rehabilitation fund submissions
Annual environmental report (mining only)

The morning session will be a basic introduction of how to use all the programs. During the afternoon session, participants will be able to get more in-depth practice using the programs with their own examples, and get some one-on-one advice about individual issues. A hands-on demonstration of the MRT software for preparing drilling and sampling data in the correct format for submission to DMP is available on request.

Between the morning and afternoon sessions DMP will provide a ‘lunch and learn’ session to raise awareness on interesting and new items. This session will include tips and bits on navigating the DMP website – online systems; forms, guidelines and policy and prospectors’ safety, plus other interesting stuff. It is also an opportunity to talk to DMP staff about what’s concerning you.

Venue: Room 102 (computer lab), Goldfields Institute of Technology, Centre for Engineering and Mining Training (CEMT), Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame, Kalgoorlie

Thursday 18 June

Any updates can be found here.

Places for these sessions are limited so register NOW! Email your details to <publications@dmp.wa.gov.au>.

Spotlight on Mineral Resource Bulletin 26

Graphite in Western Australia
by Mike Fetherston

Spotlight on Mineral Resource Bulletin 26 Western Australia has many known graphite prospects. Previously, only small tonnages were mined, mostly from the Munglinup deposit in the far south of the State. Currently, two Australian companies are well advanced in the exploration for new high-grade, flake graphite deposits. In the east Kimberley region, the McIntosh deposit has been identified as having five high-grade graphite targets.

Two of the most advanced graphite projects are the McIntosh deposit in the Halls Creek Orogen, and the Yalbra deposit in the Gascoyne. Both are in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks.

This publication is available from the eBookshop as a free download, or for purchase as a hard copy from the eBookshop, or from the First Floor counter at Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth, WA 6004.

Subscribe to Fieldnotes

Subscribe to Fieldnotes Fieldnotes is a quarterly publication released by GSWA to provide the State's exploration industry and other geoscientists with an update on our latest work and ongoing programs. The publication provides updates on other GSWA products and services and is available free from the Information Centre located on the first floor of Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth 6004. Find past issues of Fieldnotes here or subscribe to receive a hard copy by emailing publications@dmp.wa.gov.au.

Access GSWA products

You can view and download maps, reports, and digital information free of charge from our website.
Click on these links to take you to the download or launch page for that product:

Hard copies
Maps, USB data packages, and nine premium publications are available to purchase as hard copies from the eBookshop or the First Floor counter at Mineral House, 100 Plain Street, East Perth WA 6004. A new online cart and payment system is in place. Records, Reports, Bulletins and other non-series books cannot be purchased in hard copy but are all available as PDFs to view and download free of charge.

Contact us

For information on publications, email publications@dmp.wa.gov.au
or telephone +61 8 9222 3459/ fax +61 8 9222 3444.

For information on digital data, email the Digital Data Administrator on gsd.dda@dmp.wa.gov.au or telephone +61 8 9222 3816.