The NSW Government is funding a series of geophysical surveys in the Cobar region to gather detailed information that will help uncover valuable groundwater to provide water security for communities, farmers and businesses.
The Mining, Exploration and Geoscience seismic survey, will analyse geology up to 40 km below the surface, using cutting edge technology to reveal these vital resources and help drought proof western NSW.
The survey will be carried out by land and would assess the Yathong–Ivanhoe Trough, south of Cobar, where water is currently piped over 125 km from Nyngan.
This is important work for the state because finding more groundwater will help ensure consistent supply and support the local economy that depends on farming and mining. It is also of interest to construction engineers, scientists monitoring earthquakes, and explorers searching for critical minerals to help meet surging global demand.
These new surveys will ultimately boost our knowledge of resource potential across western NSW, and that means we can provide more quality data to industry to spur on new exploration and meet the increasing needs of drought-stricken communities.
The Cobar-Yathong seismic survey is funded through the national MinEx Collaborative Research Centre, focused on minerals and groundwater, and the NSW Government’s strategy focused on fast tracking drought-proofing projects in NSW.
The survey will take place from April 2023 on existing road verges and trails in the Cobar region, with little impact to the environment. It is expected to take seven to eight weeks, weather permitting.
For more information and an interactive map with survey progress go to: www.regional.nsw.gov.au/groundwater
