Cobar - Yathong seismic survey - P22-3847

Mining, Exploration and Geoscience (MEG) is supporting critical mineral and groundwater exploration by acquiring seismic data in central NSW. Seismic acquisition needs to occur before the end of December 2022 so the data can be processed and delivered in time to support a drilling program in early 2023.

Please provide costings 350 km of seismic data. A combination of shall and deep-reflection seismic data is required (please see RFT Part D for details) over four lines. Please include options for a gravity survey, seismic processing and road traffic management. The seismic lines run along road verges, fence boundaries, fire trails and tracks. MEG will organise land access.

The initial contract is for four month contract term with optional extension of one month. 

Seismic data will help improve our understanding of the structure of the geology of the Cobar Basin and Yathong Trough in Central NSW. The Cobar area has a complex fault system and geometry which affects where mineral deposits occur (including critical minerals). Cobar has a long mining history and the surrounding rocks potentially host minerals. 

Cobar also has a long history of water security issues. The seismic survey will traverse the north eastern Yathong-Ivanhoe Trough, which overlies the western side of the Cobar Basin. The Yathong-Ivanhoe Trough has rocks suitable for hosting water resources. The northern extent of the Yathong Tough is poorly constrained and the Yathong-Ivanhoe Trough has rocks suitable for hosting water resources. The drilling program is focused on finding: 

• emergency groundwater for use in times of drought by agriculture, towns and industry 

• rocks suitable for storing groundwater in times of surplus.

www.tenders.nsw.gov.au

• The Procurement (Enforceable Procurement Provisions) Direction 2019 applies to this procurement

• A government agency may conduct negotiations with suppliers regarding the procurement

First quarter of 2023