Emmerson Resources is an early mover in the region and has a commanding 1,700 square kilometres of tenements where it is applying new exploration technology to reinvigorate what historically was one of Australia’s highest-grade gold and copper fields.

It has announced the discovery of thick, high-grade copper-gold at its Hermitage project.

Chief Executive Rob Bills says Emmerson’s results are some of the best seen in the Tennant Creek mineral field and he is keen to follow up with additional drilling immediately after the wet season.

Another company is transporting a gold processing mill to the Barkly from Queensland and there are plans to open a copper mill.

Emmerson’s  exploration success has been underpinned by several co-funded drilling and geophysical grants from the Territory Government’s Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program, which is part of the much-praised Resourcing the Territory initiative.

“This fantastic initiative drives companies to apply  new technology and ideas to areas that have seen little exploration, enhancing the geological understanding and, hopefully, the discovery of new deposits to the benefit of all stakeholders,” Mr Bills says.

Explorers also benefit from the Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS), which produces maps, datasets and reports about the geology, geophysics and commodities of the NT.

All the information can be accessed free of charge.

Emmerson has formed a landmark joint venture  with the Traditional Owners of the Jasper Hills area in Tennant Creek – custodians of the land have direct equity, employment and training opportunities. 

Mr Bills will be presenting at the Territory Government’s flagship exploration event, the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES). The technical conference begins with an icebreaker event on 4 April before AGES and the Mining Services Expo take place at the Alice Springs Convention Centre from 5 – 6 April, 2022. 

To find out more about the Resourcing the Territory initiative and AGES, head to resourcingtheterritory.nt.gov.au

READY TO ROAR

The Barkly is prepared for the economic upswing being ushered in by mining.

The Barkly Regional Deal – a 10-year, $78.4 million commitment between the Australian Government, the Territory Government and Barkly Regional Council to stimulate economic development in the region – is in its third year.

One of the 28 initiatives is the $2.4 million Barkly Business Hub which will house the Territory Business Centre in Tennant Creek. This will be a one-stop shop to help existing and new business ventures and innovation, including supporting local businesses and local skills development. Experts at the hub will provide tailored advice and support to small firms and Indigenous organisations to take up commercial opportunities.

Services to help link local businesses to developments in the Mining and Energy sectors in the region will also be based at the hub.