GEMOC ARC National Key Centre

Is GEMOC making a difference?

Highlights of research program outcomes:

• Unique methodology for geochemical imaging of the lithosphere (4-D Lithosphere Mapping) developed to maturity and now being extended to whole-mantle perspectives
• New understanding of lithosphere formation mechanisms and changes through time (eg see “The Deviant Archean” Research Highlight)
• Unique methodologies developed for dating and fingerprinting regional crust and mantle events developed to test mantle - crust coupling through Earth's history - also a key to new exploration methods (see Research Highlight)
• Integration of petrological, geochemical and tectonic syntheses with geophysical data is revealing a unique image of the deep Earth (see Research Highlight 2002).  This is emphasised by this year’s cover image showing the sweep from fieldwork to laboratory geochemical and technological applications to interpretation of deep Earth architecture and composition.

Highlights of technology development outcomes:

• Focus on in situ analysis of important elements to parts per billion
• Unique method (in situ Re-Os) to date mantle events
• Unique method to track crustal histories (U-Pb dating and Lu-Hf and trace-element fingerprinting of zircons, rutiles): Terranechron^TM
• Delivery of rapid, cost-effective and user-friendly new methodologies and software in geochemical analysis
• Establishing the rates of geological processes both for the deep Earth and for surface processes using Uranium decay series dating

Highlights of teaching outcomes:

• Industry-standard training with development of new degree programs (eg Exploration Geoscience, Environmental Geoscience, Marine Geoscience)
• Hands-on undergraduate training in use of state-of-the-art techniques (GIS databases, imaging, geochemical techniques, geophysical measurements) with industry-standard instrumentation
• Vigorous postgraduate group with active international postgraduate exchange programs: (eg Nanjing University, University Jean-Monnet (St Etienne), University of Clermont-Ferrand, University of Oslo, University of Siena, Université Paris 7
• Short-course programs for end-user information and technology exchange

Highlights of industry interaction outcomes:

• Changing the mineral exploration paradigm by delivering new concepts for exploration globally and in Australia derived from basic research and technology development
• Development of active partnerships in strategic and applied research with industry (exploration companies and technology manufacturers)
• Development of value-added consultancies and collaborative research programs using GEMOC s geochemical technologies and database

Other sections of this report provide the details of performance indicators and GEMOC s visiblity

“[GEMOC has changed] the mineral exploration paradigm by delivering new concepts for exploration globally and in Australia”

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