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Newsletter Editor

Business Manager

David Branagan Dept Geology & Geophysics University of Sydney 2006 NSW

Laurel Tuckwell Challis House 10 Martin Place 2000 NSW Sydney

Ph:

Ph:

(02)

692 2912

(02) 231 4696

PRESIDENT'S PAGE In this first issue of 1984 I would like to wish all members a very prosperous new year. My page this time is being written during the SGTSG symposium. Over 100 participants, several from overseas and including most of the Structural Geology lecturers in Australia, met in the small fishing village of Bermagui, N.s.w. to listen, argue, discuss and inspect all kinds Chris Powell and Dick Glen and the committee of folds and foliations. members are to be congratulated on organizing a magnificent and valuable 'State of the Art' symposium. The proceedings will be published in a special issue of the Journal of Structural Geology. overseas visitors were financed through grants from the 25IGC fund and loans from GSA which will be repaid from profits. Several mining companies also made generous contributions, but, disappointingly, company geologists were conspicuous by their absence.

It is appropriate at this time to discuss our relations with industry I have heard it said, quite often, that the and industrial geologists.

I personally doubt the validity Society has little relevance to industry.

It may be true that our publications do not adequately of this view. reflect the interests of a large proportion of our members but the Society has published several items of industrial interest, particularly on Coal and Engineering Geology, and a special publication on the Eromanga Basin is in preparation. To a large extent the solution to this problem lies with The outlets are Specialist Groups particularly that in Economic Geology. available if members write papers and groups initiate Special Publications or Field Guides etc. The Society can, perhaps, best contribute by organizing meetings and our increasing interest in Economic Geology is reflected in the theme of the 7th Australian Geological Convention in Sydney this August - 'Geoscience in the development of natural resources'. As on many occasions in the past, the organizing committee report great interest and assistance from companies. We are grateful for this support and I suggest that the next Council meeting takes the opportunity to revise and advertize more widely the benefits of Company Membership in our Society.

On the horizon are other conventions of economic interest. The 4th International Kimberlite Conference in Perth 1986 and an International Symposium on Gold in Victoria in 1987, moreover the 12th International Sedimentology Congress in 1986 will not be without economic significance.

A letter (this issue) reports the vigorous activity of the Queensland Division, it also suggests that 'the advancement of geological science' (the principal object of the Soc iet y) should be extended to include the practice and application of geologica l science and representation of professional geologists. While our objects should be under continuous review, and few could quibble with the sentiments expressed in the Queensland letter, I must point out that the G.S.A. initiated the ·Australian Institute of Geoscientists specifically to deal with professional matters and I think that our industrial brethren wil l be best served by the Society and its members giving this fledgling organization their strongest support.

Before closing, I must apologise to the Engineering Geology Specialist Group for not realizing that hydrogeology was included in its scope Finally, Executive would be pleased to hear from any member (AG46).

Few regarding a possible successor t o Dave Branagan as Newsletter Editor. oE us realize just how much the Society owes to his enthusiasm for the Newsletter that was reluctantly started ten years ago and has now become such a successful feature as it approaches issue no. 50.

M. J.

Cover Photo:

RICKARD

Pillow basalts filling caves in Silurian Limestone, Photo D.F.B. Toll Bar, east of Cooma.

2

1j March, 1984

Newsletter No. 48 EDITORIAL COVER UP

The cover of the previous issue of the Australian Geoloiist provoked a mixed reaction from members. Some were amused while others were frankly outraged and expressed themselves so. This is as was to be expected in that the practice of geology includes persons with a wide spectrum of tastes and attitudes.

Several expressed the opinion that the cover would be damaging to the profession of geology and I would be sorry if that were so.

While I can agree that persons who feel personally affronted should express themselves freely it seems regrettable that a manifest absurdity should cause a reader reaction, while matters of, to me, greater import to the profession receive little or no comment.

The executive felt that I had made an error in judgement in using the material and I bow to its decision.

I WISH THEREFORE TO OFFER HEARTFELT APOLOGIES TO THOSE WHO WERE OFFENDED, AND TRUST THEY WILL FORGIVE MY LAPSE OF TASTE. One final point needs to be made. One reader made the comment that the editorial board should be chastised for its part in the proceedings. The Society's editorial board is not, and has never been, involved in the Australian Geologist .and the sole responsibility rests with the editor.

It is a matter of some concern that members are unaware of this, but perhaps the time is ripe for the board to become involved.

This is a matter I foreshadowed in my report to Council in February 1983 when discussion was taking place about changes in the journal publication.

There is so much to be said for the newsletter editor being a free and independent spirit, as I have been for the past ten years or more, but the growth of the society and the increase in its range of activities means that the newsletter is expected to cover an increasingly broader spectrum and the editor needs to be, as he has not to date, an official Member of Council. This anomaly is an indication of the way the Society has grown, somewhat haphazardly, and we clearly need to be constantly reappraising our aims and methods.

David Kershaw of the Queensland Division discusses the matter of newsletter changes and others in his letter on another page.

These are worth taking up by other members. Council meets in August and forward thinking is essential. Now read on.

Because of the large amount of copy for this issue some reviews have been held over till the next.

3

NOMINATIONS FOR W.R

BROWNE MEDAL

The W. R. Browne medal is awarded at each General Meeting of the Society to a per son distingui shed for contribut ion to the geologica l sciences in Australia .

The award is not confined to Australia n residents but is made in regard to contribut ions to Austral ian geologica l sciences . The contribut ions are normally through publicati on of original research but contribut ions to education or administr ation in earth sciences or any combinati ons of these may be relevant to the award.

In general, the award is to be made to a senior person with recognise d service to geology in Australia .

Nominatio ns for the award, accompani ed by a written justifica tion which may be used as a basis for citation, should be directed to the President , Dr M.J. Rickard, at the Departmen t of Geology, Australia n National Universit y, by 31st May 1984. Nominatio ns remain current for a period of five years.

Now available ABSTRACTS No. 10: Symposium ADELAIDE GEOSYNCLINE SEDIMENTARY ENVIRONMENTS AND TECTONIC SETTINGS - Adelaide December 9, 1983.

Price: $7.50 posted - or $5.00 if collected from either the Sydney office or from John Parker or Richard Smith at the South Australia n Departmen t of Mines.

NOTICE Copies of the reprinted volume "The Geology and Geophysic s of North-Eas t Australia " are now available at a cost of $20.00 plus $6.00 postate and handling from:The Secretary Queenslan d Division Geologica l Society of Australia GPO Box 1820 BRISBANE QLD 4001

STATE CIRCLE CUTTING Members feeling any concern about the fate of the State Circle cutting on Capital Hill should rest assured that the Geologica l Monuments Subcommi ttee is keeping a close watch on the situation and is maintaini ng close contact with NCDC. An undertaki ng has been given that it will be preserved and the Subcommi ttee is satisfied that this is being done.

4

LETTERS to the Editor Sir, President Rickard (Australian Geologist 3/10/83) observed the 'sharp edge' of the Society moving towards the Specialists Groups and questioned whether the divisional structure is the best arrangement.

Queensland Divisional Committee, in preparing to hand over to the 1984/85 Committee, reflected on its aims and aspirations, achievements and failures during 1983/84 season.

The Committee was initially stuck by its ignorance of the specific aims of the Society and its role and relationship to the In particular, COMMUNICATION between science and its practice.

"The members, divisions, branches and group needs to be improved.

Australian Geologist" is the obvious medium to improve communication Should each of these groups between the various groups and divisions. appoint liasion officers to keep the full membership informed of the activities of the various groups? Should membership fees be increased to accommodate paid assistance for the Newsletter Editor?

The specific aims set by the Queensland Division during 1983 were improved communication with increased content of the Monthly Report and a membership drive.

The membership drive involved requesting existing members to forward names of non-member geologists who were forwarded a 'showbag' containing a recent Australian Geologist, a specially prepared brochure listing the offerings and activities of the Society .

Significant achievements during 1~83/84 included the publishing of the 442 page volume "Permian Geology of Queensland", and reprinting of the popular volume, "Geology and Geophysics of North East Australia".

The annual field conference was held in the Maura-Cracow Area and the field conference will be during May in the Stanthorpe-Drake-Emnaville Region. The inaugural "G.S.A. Student Prize" (a medal) was awarded to four tertiary students and one secondary student. The Geological Monuments sub-committee proceeded with further identification and documenta tion of geological monuments. · Unfortunately, attempts to have State Government involvement in their management and protection has been unsuccessful, however, the Brisbane City Council is embarking upon the preparation of a conservation Atlas for the city, with the long term aims of preparing guidelines for management and rehabilitation of particular landscape units.

1984 would be an appropriate year for the Society to review its "the advancement of the geological sciences" and extend this object: to include the practice and application of geological science and representation of professional geologists.

Since the Society was established some thirty years ago, the practice of geology has expanded and is applicable to banking, stockbroking, financial ma nagement, journalism, exploration, consulting, public administration, engineering and environmental planning, and many other human endeavours, and yet, as a practising profession, it is poorly organized or represented in geological research and teaching institutions, let alon e in the community at large.

David Kershaw Queensland Divisional Commi ttee 5

Sir, It is sad to find that the BMR is departing from the scene of regional geological mapping-a function they carried out supremely well. Unfortunately , they depart the scene with their task incomplete because many existing 1:250,000 state geological maps, nicely colour printed though they may be, are mere rapid compilations of previous geological work, the compiling geologist having been given inadequate time to complete his task.

It would not be so bad if the states were given adequate money to revise their 1:250,000 geological maps but they have not and in the existing order of things will not.

In any case Australia will be the only major-size country in the world without a nation~l geological survey. There are too many geological anomalies at the state boundaries. To name only a few: a)

The Devonian-Lowe r Carboniferous of Adavale Infrabasin and Drummond Basin Queensland compared to the Devonian of NSW.

b)

The Proterozoic of South Australia finishes at the South Victorian State Border.

c)

The Grampian Ranges in Victoria are mapped and considered differently from a number of features identical, topographical ly and lithologically in western NSW.

d)

The nomenclature of the northern NSW part of the Great Artesian Basin compared to lithologically similar rocks in southern Queensland.

In the Victorian Geological Survey we were greatly hampered • in studying half only of the Murray Basin until there was a joint study started with NSW and the BMR. What concerns me also is the reduction in geological mapping.

Geology is not, academics to the contrary, a science that can adequately be learned from books and the top Australian geologists of today are the regional mapping geologists of yesterday.

As an economic geologist endeavouring to acquire information, often initially in the office, for those parts of Australia which I have not personally mapped and even for some parts which I have, I find more truthful expression of what is really there in the unpublished BMR records and the unpublished state survey reports because they express without the censorship of referees and viewers what the geologist saw exactly, not what reviewers and referees thought in the light of existing geological theories that they should see.

In my opinion many unpublished BMR records and some state unpublished reports, as well as many published Bulletins and reports, rank far above most PhD theses in the value of their contribution to Australian geology.

It is long past the time when we should grapple with the completely unrealistic 6

separation between those who observe geology in the field and those who study it in textbooks or in samples of rocks collected in haste, and then teach the results.

For nearly 30 years working with recent geological graduates, I have to teach each one to forget the theories he was taught, just observe what is actually there and record it.

A.C.M. Laing Melbourne

Sir, LITHODEMES I suggest that there is a Silence can also be a signal! clear message to the Stratigraphic Nomenclature Committee in the stunned silence that is reported (No.47) to have followed publication of the extraordinary gobbledegook extracted from the North American Stratigraphic Code and published in The I had not realised, until the Australian Geologist No.44. later issue, that the request really was meant to be taken seriously, and have now responded in fairly unequivocal terms.

A.F. Trendall Perth

Sir, I refer to the President's comments in the October 1983 edition of "The Australian Geologist".

He remarked on the possibilities of formation of new Specialist Groups and particularly mentioned one in hydrogeology.

The Engineering Geology Specialist Group has a constitution Its full title was to which explicitly covers this discipline. be "The Engineering Geology, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Specialist Group", but this was abbreviated for obvious reasons.

I'm very conscious of this because I am an environmental geologist (yes, officially). Other members are employed as environmental consultants. The more specialist groups there are, the more we multi-disciplinarians will have to join!

Graeme Mcilveen Arcadia, NSW. 7

MULTUM in PARBO

The Victorian Division held its Annual Dinner at the Staff Club, Monash University on Thursday, December 1. Seven t y six members and friends were present and a number formed their own tables, including a two-table contingent of Western Mining supporters led by Doug Haynes.

The official table included the Chairman, Professor BE Hobbs and his wife Robyn; the guest speaker Sir Arvi Parbo, Chairman and Managing Director Western Mining Corporation, and Lady Parbo; the President of GSA and his wife Dr and Mrs Rickard; the Director of the Victorian Geological Survey and his wife Mr and Mrs J Cramsie; and the Secretary to the Department of Minerals and Energy Dr W Russell.

The after-dinner address wa s given by Sir Arvi Parbo, Chairman and Managing Di rector, Western Mining Corporation Holding s Ltd, and was titled, "A Mining Engineer's View of Exploration " .

I think that I should f i rst establ i sh my credentials for talking about mineral exploration.

I was trained as a mining engineer and worked as an underground surveyor, mining engineer, and mine manager before moving over the general management. In all these various capacities I have been in close contact with mineral exploration and vitally interested in its success over some thirty odd years.

My comments are therefore frqm someone who has been more than just an interested bystander, although I could not claim personal expertise in exploration.

Geology as a science useful for finding new mineral deposits, locating extensions of known mines, and helping with the task of economic production of minerals, is a relatively recent phenomenon. When the company I work for, Western Mining Corporation, was established fifty years ago, it did the then almost unheard of thing in Australia of engaging a group of geologists to reconnoitre Western Australia for gold deposits. This was a novel approach.

Hard-bitten mine managers in those days relied on good luck and their own intuitive powers to follow orebodies and did not consider "jogilists", as they were disparagingly called, as worth feeding. Prospectors, not geologists, were the traditional finders of new mines. Geophysics and geochemistry as practical applied sciences are even more recent. It .is really only during my working life that they have come to be accepted as useful exploration tools.

The early mining developments in Australia were, of course, based on orebodies e ither literally sticking out of the ground, or capable of being located without too much science, such as the South Australian copper deposits where rabbits digging th eir holes had brought bright green copper minerals to the surface. The South Australian copper shafts were located by the mine captain throwing a pick after swinging it about his head and the crews digging where it landed. For the record, these were highly successful mines which for quite some time produced 10% of the world's copper.

Whil e it is not impossible that major outcropping orebodies may be found today, the odds are against it . The successful explorers of 1983 must be able to look into the ground , and for this scientific methods are indispensable.

8

Coming back to Western Mining Corporation, its first effort in 1933 included an aerial survey of the Eastern Goldfields in Western Australia. Such a survey was a radical undertaking indeed. It was carried out by two aircraft owned by the Company which were ceremoniously launched and named the "Golden West" and the "Gay Prospector".

The press release on the occasion makes interesting reading. It describes in great detail the way i n which the pilot will remain in contact with his ground headquarters by "wireless telegraphy" and stresses how useful it was for the pilot to know where he was at any time . It also made the prophetic statement "It . should be clearly understood that the air photographs cannot show where the gold is".

The aerial survey didn't result in the finding of new gold mines but the photographs taken were used until quite recently by Western Mining geologists as an aid for reconnaisance and mapping . The whole undertaking, as I said, was a most unusual enterprise in those days and for quite some time Western Mining Corporation was nicknamed in the Eastern Goldfields the "Wasting Money Corporation" . some of the other early work brought better rewards. In 1935, 48 years ago, Western Mining acquired what wer·e then considered worked out gold properties at Norseman in Western Australia. Central Norseman gold Corporation was formed and has been producing gold from these worked out properties for the past 48 years, never with more than 3 to 4 years o-f proven ore reserves . It undoubtedly has tens more years of life ahead of it.

This is an example which shows how little validity there is, certainly in the case of underground ore occurrences in highly mineralised districts, in the sort of calculations that mathematically minded people do about the life of a mine or the supply of a mineral on the basis of the information known at a given time . Such calculations omit vital factors which cannot be quantitifed .

One of these factors is that persistent application of continuously improving geological knowledge of an ore environment invariably turns up more ore as the result of new thinking and new insights. Another is that an improvement in the real price of a mineral opens up large additional supplies.

The central Norseman experience, while by no means unique, is a good example of these influences . It is particularly pertinent today when lawyers and mathematically inclined economists, who infest so much of Government, are prone to want to force mineral industry activity into a format familiar to themselves, but of little relevance to the practicalities of the industry .

By the time I first started work as a mining graduate in 1956, geology was a well established profession in the mining industry, both in surface and underground exploration and mining. In those days, however, there was still a good deal of rivalry between the mining and geological departments. The miners complained that the geologists only wanted to find ore regardless of how or when it could be mined, and the geologists charged that all the good high grade ore they found finished up much poorer in grade by the time the miners did all the wrong things with it.

Today we would not dream of operating a mine without high quality geological input or looking for orebodies other than through professional exploration teams.

Over the years the initial rivalry between mining engineers and geologists has changed into a close working relationship. This has been the result of recognition of the value of geological input to mine operation and has been 9

helped greatly by organisational arrangements where mining engineers and geologists on an operation work together as a team instead of as groups with separate interests.

The story of Central Norseman mentioned earlier confirms the adage that the best place to look for new ore is in the vicinity of known ore positions. Sir Lindesay Clark often used to say "the place to look for rabbits is in rabbit country". Persistent search in highly mineralised districts invariably yields far more ore than anybody is likely to predict. Persistence is the key, and by that I don't mean continuing the search for a year or two; sometimes it literally means continuing for tens of years.

Stawell, in Victoria, is a case in point. Western Mining started to look for gold at Stawell in the 1940's and it will be next year, some forty years later, that the first gold is likely to be produced. Most of the time during the 40 years, accountants could have made a very strong case for abandoning the search.

The results of the final accounting, of course, remain to be seen, but with a reasonable level of gold prices and reasonable success in future exploration, it should turn out to be an economically worthwhile operation.

There are many other examples where persistence in mineral exploration has been an essential ingredient in ultimate success. I might just mention the search for copper by Western Mining Corporation which started at Tarraji River in the north-west of Western Australia in 1958, moved to Moonta-Wallaroo in South Australia in the early 1960's, and eventually - seventeen years later - resulted in the discovery at Roxby Downs in 1975. The work in the three locations formed a part of a sequence without which the final discovery probably would not have been made.

Incidentally, exploration at Moonta-Wallaroo is still continuing after some 20-odd years and I would not be at all surprised if it resulted in an economic discovery in that district one of these days.

One of the things I have learnt over the years is the importance of amateurs not interfering with strictly exploration decisions, even if you think they are wrong. I always remember the Kambalda nickel discovery in this context.

Western Mining was going through a very difficult financial patch in t965-66 due to the depressed state of the gold mining industry, when Roy Woodall was alerted to the Kambalda nickel potential through a sample of the Kambalda outcrop taken years earlier by prospectors in search of uranium.

In the previous 70 years gold had been the only worthwhile mineral found in the Eastern Goldfields. The thought that the area could also be a major world nickel province did not sit easily with most people. Roy was one of the few who believed it could.

Roy's proposal that Western Mining should spend 20,000 of its scarce pounds on investigating nickel at Kambalda was, in the circumstances, more than bold . I often wonder what the outcome would have been had the decision been left to me.

Fortunately, it went right up to the Board, which approved.

Mineral exploration, I suggest, is still as much of an art as a science, although it has come a long way in the thirty years I know about. Much progress is being made and no doubt thirty years from now the speaker at this Society's dinner will be able to tell stories about how little we knew in the 1980's.

Finding new orebodies is, however, not the major challenge of the mineral industry today. How to turn new finds into successful mines has become the key question.

10

There are many orebodies, discovered in the late 1960's and in the 1970's, still awaiting development . The obstacles are numerous: depressed markets, nationalistic ambitions, competition from uneconomic government-owned operations in other countries, unrealistic expectations of government "talce", anti-everything protest movements, lack of government and community understanding and so on.

None of these problems are technical: most are man-made, the problems are not unique to Australia: most o~ the western democracies (with some exceptions) are in similar circumstances.

At the bottom of the problem is that governments have created expectations amongst their populations which are quite unrealistic and, in one way or another, result in the consumption of more wealth than is being created. The rational solution is, of course, to reduce or at least level off consumption until wealth generation catches up. This comes in conflict with the political desirability of promising more, not less. Also, particular interest groups can now get most of what they want by demanding it loudly enough, preferably through the modern democratic medium of ten thousand yelling demonstrators.

The expedient solution is to extract more from the wealth-generating sector, even if it is at the cost of its longer term health. If I may borrow from a recent paper by my colleague, Hugh Morgan," the wealth-generating activities on which the well- being of the community depends have come to be treated much like the Mediterrane an donkey which, as you may know, is an essential but much abused beast of burden in that part of the world. Ill-treated, fly-blown, over-laden and ill-nourished but always expected to carry more and go further. Its main pre-occupation is necessarily with survival. What we need is a healthy and fit wealth-generating sector, able to grow and thus provide for the increasing demands of other sectors, not something which is sagging at its knees and in danger of toppling over.

We do not need erudite economic studies and batteries of computers to tell us what to do to get back on the path to prosperity. The problem is not in knowing what to do but in how to do it. So far there are not many examples of strong and resolute action . Meanwhile, how to turn mineral discoveries into successful mines remains on top of the industry's problem list.

I would like to conclude by quoting the last paragraph of Sir Lindesay Clark's recently published book "Built on Gold" - Sir Lindesay's recollections of Western Mining. He says: "There have naturally been many changes in the industry during the life of the Company but I have observed that one characteristic persists - every miner is a prospector at heart, and every prospector is perforce an optimist".

I think that sums it up perfectly.

Congratulati ons

to Eric Rudd of Ade laide and Ke n Mosher of Sydney honoured in

Australia Day Awards .

11

REGOLITH IN AUSTRALIA Regolit h is present ly a fashion able topic in earth science .

In March 1982, the Geolog ical Society of London held a meeting devoted to Residua l Deposi ts: an Interna tional Colloqu ium on Petrolo gy of Weathe ring and Soils was held by CNRS in Paris during July 1983: one of the themes of the 27th Interna tional Geolog ical Congres s in Moscow in August 1984 is Regolit hs and Mineral Resourc es: and in Novemb er 1983 a Symposi um on Regolit h in Austra lia: Genesis and Econom ic Signifi cance was held at the Academy of Science , Canberr a.

The latter Symposi um was jointly sponsor ed by the Mineral Resourc es, Geology and Geophy sics and by CSIRO .Bureau of Institu te of Energy and Earth Resourc es.

It attract ed partici pants from industr y (37%), tertiar y educati on (22%), governm ent agencie s (6%) as well as from BMR (15%) and CSIRO (21%).

In many it was a success or to the 1981 Symposi um on the Cainozo respect s Evoluti on of Contine ntal Southea st Austra lia and three ic recent worksho ps on Geochem ical Explora tion in Deeply Weather ed Terrain run by CSIRO Divisio n of Mineral ogy.

The term 'regoli th' is used to describ e the layer of fragmen tal and uncons olidated rock materia l, whether or mantle residua l or transpo rted, that nearly everywh ere forms the surface of the land and overlie s the bedrock .

It include s saproli te, alluvium , aeolian deposit s, soil and other surfici al materia ls.

After an introdu ction by Profess or E.S. Hills, F.R.S., F.A.A., the symposi um started with an Austral ia-wide overvie w and then moved into regiona l studies from Western Austra lia, Queensl South Austra lia and Victori a (althoug h all states receive and, d some mention in subsequ ent papers) . Much interes t centred on the age of weather ing and its relatio nship to landsca pe develop ment.

Concep ts of etchpla ins and erosion surface s prevail , but attempt is evident to achieve a strict time frame relatin a keen landsca pes and their regolit h by means of stratigr aphy, g radiom etric dating or palaeom agnetism . One topic that brought forth conside rable controv ersy was the origin and nature of duricru sts and there was an extende d debate on the origin of silica and rate of formati on of silcret e. A lot of new informa tion was provide d which shows that old models are not valid, but satisfa ctory new models are yet to be develop ed.

Applica tion of new techniq ues to the underst anding of the regolit h in Austra lia and to mineral explora tion occupie d the second half of the symposi um. These include d palaeom agnetism ; lead, sulfur, oxygen and hydroge n isotope studies ; various remote sensing techniq ues; and many geochem ical studies .

• It is c1ear that our knowled ge of the Austral ian regolit h has not advance d greatly over the past twenty years and there are still major disagre ements over such common place matters as the nature of erosion surface s, the process es of landsca pe evoluti on, the chemist ry of duricru st formati on, and even the descrip tive vocabu lary necessa ry to pursue regolit h studies .

12

Most of the mineral deposits i n Australia were discovered b y recognition of their gossanous outcrop . Considerable research effort has led to a better understandi n g of gossan formation and techniques of evaluation . As more outcropping and near- surface deposits are discovered , the greater is the need to e x plore for concealed mineralization . Although no papers were submitted from exploration companies, it is evident that they are vitally concerned with regolith research to assist in their search for mineralization below the deepl y weathered zone which covers much of Australia .

In a concluding forum a number of views appeared to achieve consensus : there should be a further meeting in 18 months; the ne x t meeting should be in Western Australia; it might better be structured as a field-oriented workshop ; that several test areas might be identified for detailed studies prior to the ne x t meeting ; and that any such studies should be multidisciplinary .

Following the symposium , one- day field trips were held to study the Cainozoic Geology of the Monaro region south of Canberra and Lake George to the east .

Further details may be obtained from the convenors, Dr C. D. Ollier (BMR) or Dr G. F . Taylor (CSIRO Division of Mineralogy) .

13

RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE COMMISSION OF NEW MINERALS AND MINERAL-NAMES INTERNATIONAL MINERALOGICAL ASSOCIATION 1.

Proposals for new minerals, changes in mineralogic al nomenclatu re, discreditin g and/or redefinitio n of existing minerals and mineral names, or matters dealing with mineral groups should be brought to the attention of the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names, Internation al Mineralogic al Association (referred to hereafter as the COMMISSION), a. b. c. d.

through the appropriate National Committee where these exist, or directly to tne chairman of the COMMISSION, if they are for new minerals; or to the vice chairman of theCOMMISS ION, with a copy to the chairman, if they are for existing minerals; or to the secretary of the COMMISSION, with a copy to the chairman, if they deal with mineral groups.

2.

A proposal should include as much data as possible so that the COMMISSION can adequately judge the validity of the proposal. The chairman is authorized to write to the author asking for more data when he considers this desirable, or he may point out possible objections either to the mineral or to the name.

If the author so desires, the chairman is required to submit a proposal to the COMMISSION whether or not he approves of it. The chairman's abstract of a proposal is sent by air mail to each member of the COMMISSION and approximate ly 60 days are allowed for receipt of voting papers.

In cases where a new name is proposed to replace an old one, the proposer of the new name must write to the original namer, if alive, and obtain his comments on the re-naming. These comments must be supplied with the proposal. The chairman may also choose to correspond with original namers.

3.

Members of the COMMISSION are urged, not only to vote, but to comment in detail. The chairman is authorized to suspend voting if, in his opinion, serious objections to a proposal are raised. He is then required to send the objections to the author of the proposal for a reply. After receiving the author's reply, the chairman must send copies of the objections and the reply to the members of the COMMISSION and voting must be re-opened. Any member of the COMMISSION who objects to a proposal may ask the chairman to use this procedure, but the decision to suspend voting rests with the chairman.

4.

Abstracts of proposals dealing with "ore" minerals are customarily sent to some members of the IMA's Commission on Ore Microscopy. Similarly, the chairman may submit abstracts of any proposals to other specialists for advisory opinions. Such advisers do not vote, but their comments are considered by the chairman. Serious objections raised by any advisers are to be treated by the chairman as in paragraph 3.

14

Proposals dealing with minerals belonging to mineral 5. groups for which subcommittees have been organized by the COMMISSION may be sent to the appropriate subcommittee chairman for circulation among the subcommittee members if the COMMISSION Subcommittee members chairman thinks such action is advisable. are invited to submit opinions and serious objections raised by them are treated by the chairman as in paragraph 3.

If two or more proposals for the same new mineral are 6. received by the chairman, the proposal which arrived first in the chairman's office will have priority.

A proposed new mineral will be considered approved if 7. at least two-thirds (2/3) of the members who vote on the proposal vote yes. A proposed name will be considered approved if at least one-half (1/2) of the members who vote on the proposal vote yes. After voting on a proposal is completed, the chairman sends the results to the COMMISSION members and to the author of the proposal. He includes any comments on the voting members, but the votes of individual members are not disclosed.

The COMMISSION may publish the results of votes, but publishing non-approved names or the names of non-approved minerals is not permitted.

In the case of proposals handled by the vice-chairman 8. or secretary (as defined in paragraphs le and ld) the results of voting shall be sent to the chairman who will then send the Such results to the COMMISSION members and to the authors. votes require the same majorities of the members voting as given in paragraph 7 in order to receive approval.

Reconsideration of adverse votes can be requested by an 9. author at any time if new data or new interpretations are If a mineral is approved, but not the name, a new obtained. name should be requested by the chairman when he notifies the In cases of repeat voting, author of the voting results. approvals of the mineral and the name require the same majorities as given in paragraph 7.

10. Authors of proposed new minerals must publish their descriptions within two years of being notified of the approval If a mineral description is not published by the chairman. within that time, the mineral and name are no longer considered Any extensions of this deadline must be approved as approved. by the chairman.

11. Priority reservations for authors of those countries which have a national committee for new minerals and mineral names shall be maintained for one year only if the priority reservation is requested by the chairman of the respective national committee. At that time a complete detailed abstract must be submitted to the chairman of t h e COMMI SSION who will send copies (with the date of priority) to all members of the If the proposal is COMMISSION for their informat i on only . approved b y the national committee, · voting b y the COMMISSION shall proceed as soon as possible.

15

12. Authors who have describ ed new mineral s without names shall not have any priorit y rights on the subsequ ent naming of such minera ls. Any such names will have to be approve d by the COMMISSION. Toronto , Canada, 30 Septemb er 1983 The Commis sion on New Minera ls and Mineral Names, IMA Dr Joseph A. MANDARINO, Chairma n Departm ent of Mineral ogy & Geology Royal Ontario Museum 100 Queen's Park Toronto , Ontario CANADA M5S 2C6 Dr Max H. HEY, Vice Chairma n 1025 Oxford Road Tilehu rst Reading ENGLAND Dr Fabien CESBRON, Secreta ry Departm ent MGA B. R. G. M. B. P. 6009 45060 Orleans CEDEX FRANCE

ADDENDUM: Additio nal advice on the prepara tion of new-mi neral proposa ls, or informa tion on the status of existin g mineral s may be obtaine d from the represe ntative for Austra lia: Dr E.H. Nickel, Divisio n of Mineral ogy, CSIRO, Private Bag, PO, Wembley , W.A., 6014.

Review "On the Job" The Geolog ist, by Elizabe th Flan.

Melbou rne, 1983 n.p.

A.E. Press,

This well-pr oduced booklet , one of a series "which outline On the Job conditi ons of differe nt people at work", runs to 32 pages and contain s 34 illustra tions of which 33 are very present able black and white photogr aphs. The booklet aims to illustr ate realist ically career prospec ts and working conditi ons in geology by present ing case studies of four working geolog ists (2 female) from varying section s within the discipl ine.

The booklet is by necessi ty brief, but shows a good comprom ise between content and length.

It should be of great value in every vocatio nal guidanc e office at high school level.

Wilma Blom 16

SEVENTH AUSTRALIAN GEOLOGICAL CONVENTION August 26 - 31, 1984, Sydney "GEOSCIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES" P.O. BOX 383 NORTH RYDE, N.S.W. 2113.

Telephone: 887 8741 Telex: AA25817

17

Convenor: R.A. BINNS Secretary: G.F. TAYLOR

MESSAGE FROM THE CONVENOR Encouraged by an overwhelming response to the First Circular, the Organizing Committee of 7AGC has been hard at work planning what promises to be the largest convention yet held by the Geological Society of Australia.

Following an opening address by Kevin Stewart, NSW Minister for Mineral Resources, and the Mawson Lecture (sponsored by the Australian Academy of Science) delivered this year by Roy Woodall, several features should ensure that the theme "Geoscience in the Development of Natural Resources" is effectively addressed during the main week of the convention. First and foremost is the enthusiasm of the many individuals responsible for arranging the technical sessions and symposia.

It has been decided that most delivered papers will be of shorter duration than has been customary, and increased use will be made of poster sessions. Funds have been made available from various sources to invite a relatively large number of overseas authorities to complement Australian specialists as keynote speakers. Although some proposed technical sessions have been cancelled, a General Papers session has been added to accommodate papers not easily categorized relative to the convention theme.

Most activities will take place in very close proximity to the covered quadrangle of Macquarie University. By facilitating rapid transfer between parallel sessions, this will minimize the clashes of interest inevitable in a packed but carefully co-ordinated programme. The quadrangle area will be the venue for a geoscientific exhibition of books, instruments, and organizationa l displays as well as poster papers.

In addition, there will be an exhibition of geoscientific art, to which all participants are invited to contribute photographs, paintings or other objects, designed to impress or amuse their colleagues during tea and coffee breaks.

In addition to the usual extensive range of excursions before and after the convention, the response so far received has confirmed the need for intensive short courses that take advantage of the congregation of specialists at the convention. A number have been arranged for the weekend before the main session. As another innovation, several workshops have been organized on general or specialist subjects of topical interest. The usual business meetings of the Society and its specialists groups will also occur during the convention.

Social functions are planned to be especially appropriate to the characteristic s of AGC's.

Further details are given in the Second Circular or appear elsewhere in this issue of "Australian Geologist".

I make a special plea that you draw these to the attention of any colleagues who may not be members of the Society.

It is not yet too late to offer papers for the various technical sessions and specialist group symposia but please do so as soon as possible.

Either advise the Convention Secretary (PO Box 383, North Ryde, 2113) or contact the Convenor nominated in the Second Circular.

The success of the previous six have established the Australian Geoloqical Convention as the major event of th~ geoscientific caiendar in this country.

See you at the Seventh in Sydney - register now!

The following information notes should be read in conjunction with the Second Convenor .

Ray Binns Convenor, 7AGC 18

CONVENTION CALENDAR 15 June, 1984

Deadline for submission of abstracts.

15 June, 1984

Deadline for registration for excursions.

1 July, 1984

Late fee for registration now applies.

22-26 August, 1984

Pre-convention excursions.

25-26 August, 1984

Short courses, workshops.

26 August, 1984

Registration begins.

27-31 August, 1984

Convention.

1-5 September, 1984

Post-Convention excursions.

1-5 September, 1984

Fluvio-deltaic workshop.

OVERSEAS KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Professor B.J. Skinner - economic geology and mineral economics; Editor of Economic Geology; Yale University, USA; Vice-President Geological Society of America.

Professor W.S. Fyfe - geochemistry and environmental geology; Editor of Chemical Geology; member of many national and international bodies; University of Western Ontario, Canada.

Dr W.L. Fisher - petroleum and gas geology; energy resource assessment; Assistant Secretary, US Department of Interior; member of various Federal and State bodies; Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, USA. Dr R.A. Rahmani - hydrocarbon geology specializing in coal; Senior Research Geologist with Canadian Hunter Exploration Ltd., Calgary, Canada.

Dr R.W. Henley - geochemistry of hydrothermal systems, exploration geochemistry; DSIR, New Zealand.

Professor M.D. Picard - oil shale and non-marine sedimentology; University of Utah, USA. Mr M.B. Coope - industrial minerals consultant; Editor of Industrial Minerals Magazine, London, U.K. The specialist group in Sedimentology (ASSG) have also invited Professor J. M. Coleman - Fluvio-deltaic sedimentology; Louisiana State University, USA. 19

REGISTRATION Accompanyin g this edition of the Australian Geologist is the second circular and registratio n form.

You are encouraged to register early as any registratio ns after 1st July will attract a $10 late fee.

Because of postage costs, there will be no acknowledge ment of registratio n unless specificall y requested.

Those requiring accommodat ion at Macquarie University will have their bookings confirmed. Application s to attend short courses, workshops and excursions will be acknowledge d by the respective convenors.

SECOND CIRCULAR - PAPERS Lack of initial response has resulted in the deletion of some technical sessions and specialist group symposia. This does not mean that we will not accept papers on these or any other subject.

On the contrary, the Committee is encouraging papers on any subject and has appointed George Gibbons to convene general sessions.

Although not yet common in Australia, POSTER SESSIONS have proved to be highly popular and effective at conferences in North America. They allow the author to present far greater detail than is possible in a 15 minute talk, and of course, can be presented throughout the entire Convention. The Committee is providing .

80 pin-boards for poster presentatio ns in the quadrangle at Macquarie University.

STUDENT PROGRAMME Despite considerabl e effort, only 4 of the 27 geoscience departments in Australia responded to our requests for ideas for special student programmes. The Committee also offered to help with travel and accommodat ion expenses. We have reluctantly been forced to drop the student program from the Convention.

JUNIOR CONVENTION The Education Sub-Commit tee of the NSW Division of the Geological Society of Australia is planning a Junior Convention to coincide with the 7ACG. There will be a mixture of lectures, workshops and an excursion for secondary school students and teachers.

For all details please contact: Mr Grahame Humphrey c/- Department of Education Corresponde nce School 52-58 William Street KINGS CROSS NSW 2011 Ph:

339 8444 or 339 8412 20

ACCOMMODATION There is limited accommodation available at the Robert Menzies and Dunmore Lang Colleges at Macquarie University. Tariff is $26 per day for bed and breakfast, with other meals being provided by arrangement with the management. Single rooms only are available.

The Committee will book this accommodation provided that the request states specifically the dates required and is accompanied by a deposit of $26.

Other accommodation is the responsibility of the registrant.

A list . of hotels/motels within easy travelling distance of Macquarie University is included in the Second Circular for guidance.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS AND SPECIALIST GROUPS SYMPOSIA Some of the suggested technical sessions have now been amalgamated and new convenors appointed. Details are in the Second Circular.

The format for abstracts will be made available to contributors by the respective convenors. No abstracts will be accepted after 15 June, 1984.

WORKSHOPS Wl:

Geoscientists·G overnment·Dev elopment of a Rationalised Geoscience Policy. Convenor: K.R. Glasson.

This workshop will attempt to establish how and in what areas geoscientists wish to guide the policies of government.

It will attempt to establish the present input of geoscience in government and how this dialogue can be improved.

It is proposed that the main themes will be presented by an Australian Geoscientist with a corresponding input from an overseas geoscientist before the meeting is open to discussion and contributions from all delegates present.

There will be three main areas for discussion.

1.

2.

3.

Education and research.

Resource development and trade.

Environment.

Finally there will be discussion on the main avenues through which geoscience policies can be transmitted to government.

1.

2.

3.

Universities, geological Surveys, CSIRO, BMR etc.

Private enterprise channels .

Societies and institutions etc.

21

W2:

Fluvio-deltaic systems - facies analysis in exploration.

Convenors: B.G. Jones, A.C. Hutton.

The aims of the workshop are to provide a means of interpreting the stratigraphic record of fluvio-deltaic deposits with special reference to coal, petroleum and mineral occurrences. The speakers at the Workshop include specialists from the U.S.A., Canada and England as well as contributions from local industry and research organizations . An integral part of the workshop will be the field examination of the excellent coastal exposures of the Permian and Triassic fluvial and deltaic successions in the southern Sydney Basin (1 - 2 September) and the recognition of equivalent facies in drill core. The field excursion will visit excellent coastal exposures of the Hawkesbury Sandstone, Narrabeen Group and Illawarra Coal Measures. The main features of interest will include braided fluviatile deposit; meandering fluviatile, flood plain and soil deposits; upper delta plain fluvial sequence interbedded with coals; and lower delta plain channels, crevasse splay, interdistribut ing bay and coal swamp facies.

DRAFT PROGRAMME Saturday 1 September

Field examination of the fluviatile Hawkesbury Sandstone and Narrabeen Group.

Sunday 2 September

Field examination of the deltaic Illawarra Coal Measures.

Monday 3 September 8.30-9.30

Dr D.K. Hobday

9.30-10.30

Prof B.R. Rust

11. 00-11. 45

Dr W.Atkinson

ll.45-12.30 1. 30-3. 00

Dr I.D. Blayden Prof B.R. Ruse

3.30-4.45 4.45-5.30

Prof J.M. Coleman Dr B.G. Jones

The use of facies analysis in exploration.

Facies relationships in alluvial fan and coarse-grained braided stream deposits.

The application of facies analysis in mineral exploration.

Alluvial fan coal measures facies.

Facies relationships in sandy fluviatile systems.

Facies in the Brahmaputra River.

Sandstone uranium mineralization .

Tuesday 4 September 8.30-12.30

BHP Coal Division

1.30-3.00

Dr B.P.J. Williams

3.30-5.00

Prof J.M. Coleman

Facies identification in cores from the Hawkesbury Sandstone, Narrabeen Group and Illawarra Coal Measures.

Facies relationships in mixed load fluviatile systems.

Delta systems - modern processes.

Wednesday 5 September 8.30-10.30 11. 00-11. 45

Prof J.M. Coleman Ms M. Smyth

11.45-12.30 1. 30-2. 30

Dr I.D. Blayden Dr P.S. Moore

2.30-3.30

Dr D.K. Hobday

4.00-5.00

Dr B.P.J. Williams

Delta models.

The relationship of coal macerals to vegetation types and sedimentary environments.

Facies case history - coal exploration.

Facies case history - petroleum exploration.

Facies case history - petroleum exploration.

Sedimentary facies and basin tectonics.

22

W3:

Tertiary Geology.

Convenor:

A. Carter.

A one-day discussion of all aspects of Tertiary Geology, including eustasy, sedimentology, palaeomagnetism, weathering, geomorphology, and hydrogeology. Contributions on 'neglected' and 'problem' areas are especially encouraged. The possibility will be examined of establishing a Specialist Group or other permanent affiliation of Tertiary workers to plan future meetings and such matters as Australian participation in an International Pacific Neogene Symposium in about five years time.

Intending contributors to Workshop W3 are requested to contact the Convenor, Dr Alan Carter (University of NSW) as soon as possible.

W4:

Chemical analysis for the Mineral Exploration and Processing Convenor: J.C. Eames.

Industries.

This workshop is intended to outline and critically evaluate the main analytical techniques employed in the mineral exploration and processing industries.

If geochemistry is to be successful as a prospecting technique, and for the data to define anomalous areas of concentration, the analytical method employed must reflect statistically significant differences between samples where they occur. Formal presentations by both industry and government experts will discuss detection limits, the advantages and limitations of the analytical techniques used (e.g. XRF, AAS, ICP-AES and fire-assay etc). Sampling and sample preparation will be examined with a view to the use of smaller sample sizes.

This workshop will foster a better understanding between the geologist and the chemist; necessary if maximum information is to Discussion sessions will play be gained from the analytical data. an important role in this workshop to ensure an exchange of ideas and experiences.

This workshop will bring you up to date with the analytical techniques currently used and highlight their benefits and shortcomings.

W5:

Geosciences for Development: Developin~ Countries' Needs and the Australian Role in Asia and the Pacific. Convenor: M.B. Katz.

This workshop is still being finalized.

SHORT COURSES

Fl:

Thermodynamics and Application to Ore Genesis.

Convenor: S.R. Sangameshwar.

Saturday 25 August 8.30-8.45 8.45-10.30 10.45-12.30 1.30-3.00 3.15-5.30 5.30-6.00

Introductory remarks.

V.J. Wall.

Terminology and techniques - W BLOOM. Terminology and techniques continued - M. BLOOM. Thermodynamics and geothermal fluids; thermodynamics models of hydrothermal ore genesis - R.W. HENLEY. Thermodynamics and geothermal fluids; thermodynamics models of hydrothermal ore genesis continued R.W. HENLEY. Discussion.

23

Sunday 26 August 8.30-10.30 10.45-12.30 1. 30-3. 00 3.15-5.30 5.30-6.00 (Breaks:

F2:

Case studies - J.L. WALSHIE. Case studies (continued) - J.L. WALSHIE. Thermodynamic s in supergene processes - S.R. SANGAMESHWAR Thermodynamic s in supergene process (continued S.R. SANGAMESHWAR Discussion.

10.30 - 10.45, 12.30 - 1.30, 3.00 - 3.15; coffee/tea provided; lunch not provided).

Gemstones - Colour Modification, Synthesis, Detection and Identification , and Fingerprintin g. Convenor: B.J. Franklin.

Provisional Programme Saturday 25 August: 9.00-5.00 Positive methods of identifying a oiamond and distinguishing it from its simul'ants - W. SECHOS and R. WEBER. Diamond grading principles in accordance with the international system; investment diamonds and fingerprinting - W. SECHOS and R. WEBER. The significance and visual identification of kimberlitic indicator minerals; diamond exploration - B. FRANKLIN and R. WEBER Sunday 26 August: 9.00-5.00 Coloured gemstones; laboratory authentication , colour modification,· synthetic counterparts and their manufacture - T. COLDHAM and R WEBER. Simple X-ray techniques for distinguishing between artificial and natural pearls - W. SECHOS. Opals; distinguishing between doublets, triplets and solid opal, valuing opals and opal synthesis - To be arrang~d.

Tea/coffee/lun ch will be provided since participants will be required to remain in the building for security reasons.

F3:

Petroleum generation and migration.

9.30-12.30

2.00-5.00

Convenor:

M. Smythe.

Source rocks (terrestrial and marine) in Australian Permian to Tertiary basins; optical and chemical characteristic s.

Practical session - M. SMYTHE. Maturation concept in relation to hydrocarbon generation; coalification in relation to maceral type, the oil window and the chemical production of hydrocarbons; optical, chemical and empirical tests for the recognition of rank, and coalification as an irreversible metamorphic process - A.C. COOK and A. HUTTON. 24

Sunday 26 August 9.30-12.30 2.00-5.00

Maturation and generation continued - A.C. COOK and A. HUTTON Primary, secondary and tertiary migration; evidence, inference and determinants - H. JENKINS.

(Principal break: F4:

12.30 - 2.00; lunch is not provided).

The Geology of the Sydney Basin - an Update.

J. Nicholson.

Conveners: C.R. Ward,

Provisional Programme Saturday 25 August 9.00-10.30 11. 00-12. 30 1. 30-3. 00 3.30-5.00

Introduction to the Sydney Basin; · structural setting, stratigraphic nomenclature and lithostratigraphic correlation - C.R. WARD. Sedimentary petrology and mineralogy in the Sydney Basin - F.C. LOUGHNAN. Fossil assemblages in the Sydney Basin - G. McCLUNG. Tectonic and depositional history of the Permo-Triassic - C. HERBERT.

Sunday 26 August 9.00-10.30 11. 00-11. 30 11.30-12.30 1.30-2.00 2.00-3.00 3.30-5.00 (Breaks:

F5:

Coal and petroleum resources of the Sydney Basin - C.R. WARD and c. HERBERT. The diatremes in the Sydney Basin - C. HERBERT. Other resources (minerals and materials) - I . WALLACE. Igneous rocks of the Sydney Basin - J. NICHOLSON. Tertiary and Quaternary coastal sedimentation - to be arranged.

Engineering and environmental considerations - D.F. BRANAGAN.

10.30 - 11.00, 12.30 - 1.30, 3.00 - 3.30; coffee/tea provided; lunch not provided).

Geology in Coastal Management.

Convenor:

D. Chapman.

Provisional Programme Saturday 25 August 9.00-10.30 11.00-12.30

Quaternary evolution of unconsolidated coastal features; relevance for coastal management - B.G. THOM Contemporary changes in unconsolidated coastal features; implications for coastal management - D.M. CHAPMAN. Subaqueous sediments and sediment dynamics of the Sydney region - P. COWELL.

25

Geological resources of coastal zone; on shore - B. LEES

1.30-3.00 3.30-5.00

Geological resources of the coastal zone; off shore - P.S. ROY Workshop session and field trip briefing - ALL SPEAKERS. Sunday 26 August All day, Field trip involving travel by air from Sydney to Williamtown in chartered aircraft. Participants will be met by bus at Williamtown and will study sites, selected for their relevance to lecture topics, along the coast from Newcastle Bight back to Sydney.

(Breaks:

F6 :

10.30 - 11.00; 12.30 - 1.30; 3 . 00 - 3.30; coffee/tea/lunch not provided) .

The Mechanical and Chemical (Re)Mobilization of Metalliferous Mineralization. Convenors: Brian Marshall, L.B. Gilligan.

Provisional Programme Saturday 25 August 9 . 00-10 . 00 10.00-10.30 11.00-12.00 12.00-12 . 30 1.30-2.30 2.30-3.00 3.30-4.00 4.00-5.00

Fluid volumes and chemistry in metamorphic processes, prograde and retrograde; what will or won ' t move .

(Keynote address) - W.S. FYFE. Principles of hydraulic fracture, vein emplacement and metamorphogenic mobilization; application to gold, tin and uranium deposits - M.A. ETHERIDGE and S.F. COX. Principles of mobilization (dissolution) in mafic/ ultramafic rocks; application to gold and platinum group deposits - R.R. KEAYS. Discussion.

Remobilization of massive sulphides: an introduction L.B. GILLIGAN. The problems of gross remobilization of massive sulphides - M. SOLOMON and S.F. COX.

Sunday 26 August 9.00-9.45 9.45-10.30 11.00-11.45 11 .4 5-12.30 1.30-2.15 2 .1 5-3.15 3.45-5.00 (Breaks:

Textural evidence of remobilization from polished mount to mine scales - L.B. GILLIGAN. Remobilization of massive sulphides in low grade rocks; an overview - T. HOPWOOD. Principles of ductile remobilization during prograde and retrograde metamorphism (to be confirmed).

Remobilization in high grade metamorphic environments - I.R. PLIMER. Metamorphic recycling in the Broken Hill district - R. BARNES. Remobilization of massive sulphides in high grade rocks; an overview - (B.J. SKINNER - to be confirmed).

Structured discu s sion - W.S. FYFE and B. J. SKINNER

10.30 - 11.00, 12,30 - 1.30, 3 . 00 - 3 .3 0; tea/c offee provided; lunch not provided).

26

F7:

Geological Remote Sensing - Digital Processing, Integrated Data Bases and Applications. Convenor: A.K. Milne.

Provisional Programme Saturday 24-Sunday 26 August Structural analysis display and interpretation.

Data integration for geological exploration.

Integration of remotely sensed, geochemical, geophysical and geological data case histories.

Geological information retrieval systems.

Display and analysis of geological structural data.

Existing and future sensor systems for geological applications.

Speakers will be drawn from those available to the Centre for Remote Sensing, U.N.S.W. (Lunch is not provided).

27

EXCURSIONS Excursion s have now been divided into pre- and post-Conv ention, . with a resultant change in the numbering system from that used previousl y. Some details of the excursion s supplied by the leaders Dates, prices etc are indicated in the Second are given below.

Circular. Because numbers will have to be limited, it is advisable Registran ts will be fully refunded (a) if they t~ register early. withdraw before 14 June, 1984, (b) where excursion s cannot proceed through lack of support and (c) where registran ts cannot be placed Refunds for any other reason are at on their nominated excursion . the discretio n of the Organisin g Committee .

Additiona l half-day excursion s on Wednesday , 29 August to CSIRO Institute of Energy and Earth Resources , The Museums and other places of geologica l interest will be available . Bookings will be taken at the Conventio n Register Desk.

Yl:

EASTERN LACHLAN FOLD BELT

The Bungonia region includes a sequence of Siluro-De vonian sedimenta ry and volcanic rocks which were deposited in, and on, the eastern flank of the Wollondi lly Tract and which were intruded by plutons of the Early Devonian Marulan Batholith . Sedimenta tion and igneous activity in this area are typical of the Siluro-De vonian of the Eastern Lachlan Fold Belt. The excursion will illustrat e the integratio n of age data (biostrati graphic and isotopic) , sedimento logy and igneous geochemis try for the formulatio n of a palaeoenv ironmenta l model.

Y2:

PERMIAN STRATIGRAPHY

The field party will depart by coach from Sydney early on Saturday morning travellin g via the Newcastle Expresswa y to the vicinity of Catherine Hill Bay where the first stop will be made on the Newcastle Coal Measures. Subsequen t localitie s will be sited in the underlyin g Permian formation s of the Newcastle -Cessnock region with a view to providing a full oversight of this classic sequence.

The excursion s will conclude on Sunday afternoon after which the bus will return to Sydney at a rather late hour.

Barbeque lunches will be provided on both days and a wine tasting and restauran t meal in the vineyward area is included.

Participa nts will stay overnight in motel accommod ation at Pokolbin.

Y3:

CARBONIFEROUS GEOLOGY

This field trip will examine a sequence of gently deformed Carbonife rous sediments outcroppi ng in the southeast ern part of the Tamworth Belt. Evolution of the transgres sive part of a large-sca le transgres sive/regr essive cyclothem , developed in a forearc basin setting, will be analysed through a detailed inspectio n of constitue nt depositio nal systems. Fluvial, marginal marine, shelf, and submarine of fan environme nts are represent ed. The rocks are exposed in a number cliff sections displayin g both lateral and vertical relations hips.

The field area lies within the Myall Lakes National Park and along the adjacent coastal strip, north to Forster.

28

Y4:

SILURIAN-DEVONIAN GEOLOGY

This 7xcursion will leave_Sydney by minibus for Burrinjuck where we will be accommodated in cabins. The low cost of this excursion means that self-help is required (i.e. meals have to be It is proposed to examine the volcanic and sedimentary cooked!). sequ 7nces exposed on both sides of Burrinjuck Dam where extensive In particular, the mappi~g has been carried out in recent years. relations between the Devonian limestones and red beds are worthy of attention as is the structural regime.

YS:

NEW ENGLAND MINERALIZATION

The Excursion is to leave Sydney at 2 p.m., and drive to Armidale, with overnight stop in Armidale. On the second day we will look at mineralization associated with the Gilgai Granite, a leuco-granite closely associated with the I-type Tingha Adamellite.

The Conrad Mine at Howell, Mt Topper and a very nice tin greisen at Elsemore will be visited. The third day will be on the Mole Granite and its mineralization, looking at features which show the nature of its emplacement, and development of tin and tungsten mineralization.

Day four will be spent in the Drake area, looking at a number of gold and silver prospects of Aberfoyle Exploration Limited. The final day will be the return trip to Sydney with a stopover at Hillgrove to look at antimony-gold mineralization.

Travel is to be by bus, with accommodation in motels. Estimated cost is $350 on a twin-share basis and meals with the exception of dinner.

Zl:

SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND GRANITES

The excursion will examine the Walcha Road pluton which is zoned from quartz monzonite through K-feldspar megacrystic adamellite to leuco adamellite. K-feldspar megacryst and microgranitoid xenolith orientations are margin parallel and parallel to the foliation in the contact schists. Measurements of these foliations have been used to infer the shape of the pluton with depth and to constrain the volume of the various rock types which comprise this zoned pluton. Stops will be made to examine the contact schists which include cordierite-Kfeldspar and two pyroxene-bearing assemblages. Stops will also be made at localities that exhibit the large oscillatory zoned augite phenocrysts that on reaction with the melt give rise to aggregates of hornblende and biotite.

Dacitic lavas are preserved within the Terrible Vale cauldron near Kentucky. These lavas and the interbedded sedimentary rocks are almost completely enclosed by a ring of vertically foliated intrusive This intrusive dacite grades into a tonalitic porphyritic dacite. intrusion to the southwest. The chilled volcanic and subvolcanic dacites provide evidence for the paucity of restite in the magmas of this volcanic/plutonic complex and by inference the chemically similar Uralla pluton which intrudes the complex. The observed range of rock types within both the Terrible Vale cauldron and the zoned (diorite to granodiorite) are consistent with an inferred tilting of the region (SW up; NE down) since the Upper Permian. The excursion will also visit the vast dyke swarm which is emplaced in the Balala and Yarrowyck Granodiorites to the northwest of Uralla. These dykes provide further evidence concerning the range of magma and melt phase compositions present during the Upper Permian plutonism and volcanism in the Uralla area.

29

Z2:

FLUVIO-DELTAIC AND COAL SEQUENCES

This field excursion will form a preliminary part of the fluvio-deltaic workshop to be held in Wollongong on 3-5 September, but other participants are welcome.

The excursion will visit excellent coastal exposures of the Hawkesbury Sandstone, Narrabeen Group and Illawarra Coal Measures.

The main features of interest will include braided fluviatile deposit; meandering fluviatile, flood plain and soil deposit; upper delta plain fluvial sequence interbedded with coals; and lowe r delta plain channe ls, creva sse splay, interdistributing bay and coal swings facies.

Z3:

NEW ENGLAND GEMSTONES Origins of zircon, sapphire and diamond.

The as s ociation between zircon, sapphire and alkali basalts will be demonstrated, arising from the problems of origin of these gemstones. Are they cognate megacrysts or accidental xenocrysts?

Do they come from the crust, mantle or both? What do they tell u s of the concealed lithosphere of New England? Diamond origins pose a similar enigma, with apparent association with alkali volcanics.

Some recent advances in diamond exploration theories will be discussed.

This excur s ion will cover gemstone localities near Nundle, Uralla, Walcha, Glen Innes, Inverell, Bingara and Copeton.

Accommodation will be in hotels offering dinner, bed and breakfast probably at Tamworth, Glen Innes, Inverell and Bingara. Participants should be prepared for cold weather and waterproof footwear is recommended.

Z4:

PALAEOZOIC FELSIC VOLCANICS

The excursion will examine the character of Palaeozoic felsic volcanic rocks of the Southern Highlands and their possible genetic relationships to associated ore deposits. Visits are planned to Captains Flat and Woodlawn as well as to several smaller prospects.

ZS:

COOLAC OPHIOLITE An opportunity to stand on the MOHO!

This excursion is to the Gundagai - Tumut area of southern New South Wales, where a sedimentary trough sequence formed a marginal basin of Western Pacific type during the Early Palaeozoic. The basin initially developed as an extension-produced graben along the continental edge which widened to form a true marginal basin, floored partly by new oceanic crust and into which calcalkaline, tholeiitic and boninitic lavas were erupted.

30

The ophiolite res~lting from this oceanic crustal development is very well exposed in the Coolac area, 20 km north of Gundagai.

It is petrologically complete, with the base a 56 km long alpine-type serpentinite belt, overlain by cumulus ultramafics - wehrlites and clinopyroxenites, massive gabbros, diorites and plagiogranites, capped by pillow lavas and a small, but convincing, sheeted dolerite dyke swarm.

Structurally, various magmatic features - primary layering and cumulus textures are well developed.

In addition, two to three phases of penetrative tectonic foliation and gneissosity are present in most units of the ophiolite. The contact between the basal serpentinite unit of the ophiolite and the Late Silurian, S-type Young Granodiorite is a particularly good example of a complex and composite tectonic - intrusive relationship.

Podiform chromitite bodies, including the largest deposit of this type in Australia, have formed in cavities along conduits in the tectonic harzburgite unit of the ophiolite. Texturally, the chromitite illustrates both primary layering with a magmatic flow lineation and crystal settling, and structural deformation where the chromitite has been transported within the harzburgite as autoliths and has developed a fracture foliation.

Cu-Fe sulphides have developed in over 20 localities within the ophiolite. Some of the occurrences are notable for the diverse mineral assemblage, and particularly the abundance of cubanite.

Sulphide-bearing rocks are located, either in reaction zones adjacent to the serpentinite belt of in Cyprus-ty pe environments in fault zones at the base of pillow lavas within the ophiolite.

Travel associated with this excursion will be in a 14-seater minibus and accommodation will be arranged in an older style, but comfortable hotel in Gundagai. Notes and maps will accompany the excursion. Participants should expect to do a moderate amount of walking with some steep hill climbing.

Z6:

DIATREMES OF THE SYDNEY BASIN

There are well over a hundred diatremes in the Sydney Basin.

Several of these are quarried for road base aggregate in close proximity to Sydney. These quarries provide the best exposures of diatremes to be found anywhere in the world.

The Sydney Basin diatremes, locally known as volcanic necks, were originally thought to be intrusive. However, they have recently been re-interpreted to be the roots of maar volcanoes. Maar volcanoes are tiny (1-2 km) crater-like explosive volcanoes which often occur in great numbers in classic areas such as Germany and also in Western Victoria (e.g. Mt. Gambier and Tower Hill).

Diamonds are thought to occur only in diametremes with a kimberlitic composition. However, these non-kimberlitic diatremes are a marvelous opportunity to examine well-exposed models showing the same physical attributes that would occur in diamond-bearing diatremes. Xenoliths other than di amonds may be found!

Two quarried diatremes of Jurassic age will be examined. Among the many features to be observed - one will show beautiful basinal layering (reflecting the original crater shape) in the volcanic breccia, often with base-surge crossbedding displayed, while the other will show vertical to chaotic layering and a well preserved 31 ring-fault zone. The excursion will travel by bus and occupy a single day.

SOCIAL PROGRAMME A welcoming cocktail party on _Sunday 25 and the Convention Dinner on Wednesday 29 August will give Convention delegates the opportunity of meeting old friends . Greg Pooley has ensured a gastronomic al delight at both functions .

In addition, We know that geoscientis ts like to keep fit. to all the sporting facilities at Macquarie University (tennis, squash, gymnasium, keep fit classes etc) the Committee is organizing a FUN RUN . Two courses, one for amateurs and the other for professiona ls, will be set in the Lane Cove National Park adjacent to Macquarie University. The entrance fee of $6 will entitle competitors to a suitably e n scribed singlet.

All geoscientis ts have photos, paintings, drawings, artifacts on other object d'art related to their work. Enter your exhibition in the GEOART EXHIBITION and be eligible to win a small prize in any of a number of categories.

INVITATION All geoscientis ts are invited to participate in the Seventh Its success will ensure future Australian Geological Convention. relations between the Geological Society of Australia and industry.

Corresponen ce and enquiries should be addressed to: Dr G.F. Taylor Secretary, 7AGC PO Box 383 NSW NORTH RYDE Ph:

(02)

887 8741

32

2113

Book review ASPECTS OF MICROPALAEONTOLOGY Edited by F. T. Banner and A. R. Lord George Allen & Unwin, London, 1982.

This neatly produced volume constitutes a collection of papers presented to Professor Torn Barnard on the occasion of his retirement from a personal chair in rnicropalaeontology at University College, London.

As a Festschrift it brings together eight papers within the b~oad field of rnicropalaeontology which are otherwise unrelated beyond being authored by former students, colleagues and friends of Professor Barnard.

Given the recent spate of British rnicropalaeontological publications, mainly emanating from, and including the journal of, the British Micropalaeontolog ical Society, a question that arises is whether such Festschriften serve a function in the dissemination of science which is not better achieved by other publication vehicles .

It may be that such volumes as this attract a higher standard of research paper than does, say, a new journal or perhaps allow more discursive treatment of a topic than would an established journal.

In this book the average length of contribution is 37 pages.

The longest, Banner's treatment of the biostratigraphically priceless Globigerinacea, runs to 83 pages, plus references.

Its scope will doubtless make it indispensable wherever planktonic forarninifera are systematically studied .

The reviewer, however, feels some qualms over the inclusion of such major systematic papers in a 'one off' publication such as this.

Given that nowadays a central problem in any major branch of palaeontology is the sheer volume of published data and the scattered bibliographic sources of such data, is it not desirable that at least the major contributions to systematics should appear in regular series of publications rather than as chapters of an amorphously titled book, however meritorious that book?

This question could, without doubt, be debated at length.

Six of the eight contributions concern forarninifera, one is on ostracods and the last deals with palynofacies.

In view of Barnard's pioneering work on Jurassic coccoliths the absence of any paper(s) on calcareous· nannofossils is at first sight a little strange; it seems to be accounted for by the publication in 1982, also under the editorship of A. R. Lord, of A stratigraphical index of calcareous nannofossils, another in the series of topic volumes from the seemingly hyperactive British Micropalaeontolog ical Society.

The first paper, Brasier's on architecture and evolution of the forarniniferid test both requires and justifies a careful reading.

It attempts to interpret the immense variability of forarniniferal skeletal form chiefly in terms of two internal measurements for which the dystectic acronyms MinLOC and MaxLOC are proposed.

The former neologism, defined as the minimum distance from the proloculus to the nearest . external aperture, is regarded as a critical dimension whose evolutionary minimisation in septate forarniniferids leads through a number of geometrical solutions (biserial, planispiral, trochospiral, etc.) to the familiar architectural diversity of the group.

Whereas others recently have looked at fossil morphology as a clue to mechanical relationships between the organism and its environment, Brasier's argument concerns itself almost entirely with d i stan ce relationships within the sarcodinid test.

This is a 33

Frequent commendably fresh approach to a refractory subject . references to ecological and evolutionary e x amples contain much relevant and interesting information but tend to disrupt the main The statement (p . 5) comparing surface areas theme of the paper . the word of spheres and biconical (60°) spindles is incorrect; 'multiocular ' (p . 1) is a rare proof-reading lapse whose etymological rectitude could conceivably mislead, or at least puzzle , the uni n formed.

Mid-Cretaceous arenaceous foraminiferids of the Atax ophrag miidae, a long-time interest of Barnard, here fittingly receive Their detailed systematic revision from C. Frieg and R. J. Price .

SEM illustrations range in quality from very good to indifferent .

Larger foraminifera, nummulitids of the genus Assilina from Iran, A morpho are the subject of the third paper, by Fatollah Mojab . metric method is used to describe and validate three new species and P . G. Edwards reports on the distribution of one new variety .

He points benthonics from an area off Lewis in the Outer Hebrides . out an unfortunate limitation of the study, imposed by the nontreatment of the fresh samples with a protoplasmic stain, so that specimens that inhabited the sample site cannot positively be distinNevertheless Edwards guished from those transported thereto . provides distribution maps for the common species and suggests correlations with sedimentological and hydrological parameters.

F. T . Banner's authoritative revision of the superfamily Globigerinacea incorporates an annotated list of 118 available generic and subgeneric names, for each of whose type species two to A useful adjunct is a discriminfour line drawings are provided .

The paper ends with a discussion of the atory key to the genera . origin and phylogeny of the Globigerinacea and fourteen pages of This contribution clearly embodies an accumulation of references . research data and e x pertise such as requires many years of sustained effort.

Dennis Curry contributes a well-written account of differential preservation of foraminiferids in chalk , based largely on differing taxonomic frequencies between chalk and adjacent flints whose cavities contain partly silicified but diagenetically protected Here is much of general and cautionary interest, sediment. especially for those studying distributions of calcareous and sili ceous microfossils .

Mesozoic metacopine ostracods are reviewed by co-editor Lord who documents their e x tinction in the early Toarcian, during a The last chapter is an application b y regional anox ic event .

Batten of the relatively new approach of pal y nofacies anal y sis to Non- mari n e dino Purbeck and Wealden strata of southern England . flagellates are recorded for the first time at this stratigraphic level.

The book is separately index ed fo r general terms and tax onomic names and includes a list of Barnard ' s p ast and present students .

At Aust.$69.95 the book is good value for foraminiferal special~sts and would be a useful addition to libraries of tertiary institutions where micropalaeontology is taught and those of e x ploration oil companies .

T . B. H. Jenki n s .

34

SLEADS WORKSHOP 1983 Some 65 persons , including representatives from each Australian state and from the USA, Israel, Switzerland, China, France , Japan and India attended the third annual SLEADS (Salt Lakes , Evaporites and Aeolian Deposits) workshop at the Research School of Earth Sciences, the Australian National University on October 17 - 18 , 1983 . · The theme of the meeti n g was "Salt Lakes in Arid Australia : hydrology , stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment" .

A one- day e x cursion to Lakes George and Bathurst , organised by Jim Bowler , Joe Jennings and Gurdip Singh attracted 20 participants.

A limited number of summary volumes of the workshop are available, and may be obtained from A. R. Chivas , RSES, ANU or P . De Deckker , RSPacS, ANU (both GPO Box 4, Canberra ACT 2601).

OLD WORLD CALLING OLDER Dr G. J . H. McCall , formerly of the University of Western Australia and now a Fellow of Liverpool University, is at present commencing a definitive text summarising the present state of knowledge concerning the Archaean . He would be interested in receiving reprints of new publications on any aspect of this very broad topic from Australian geologists : he would also be interested in contacting geologists who intend to participate in excursions 023 Ukraine, 037 Baikal and 103 Anabar of the Moscow 27th I . G. C . His address is 27 Venns Lane , Hereford , HRl lDE England or Geology Department, Liverpool University , Merseyside .

FOR SALE Back copies of p rofessional p ublications, Mineralogical Abs. 76-82; Min . Mag . 76 - 82; Jour . Geochemical Exp . 78 - 82; Jour . Geol . Soc . Aust . 75-82; Aus . Imm . Bull . 78-83; Jour.

Geol . Soc . (UK) 78-82; Im . M. M Jour .

Some copies missing. $250 ono for the lot .

Ph : Peter Moeskops (02) 638 4175 (a/h)

ARTHUR JOHN GASKIN The many friends and colleagues of Arthur Gaskin, recently retired Chief of the CSIRO Division of Mineralogy, will be saddened to learn of his death in Perth on 4 February 1984 after a prolonged illness . An obituary will appear in the ne x t "Australian Geologist" .

35

ANNUAL MEETING IMPORTANT NOTE TO INTENDING PARTICIPANTS CHANGE OF DATE OF MEETING

I

COAL GEOLOGY GROUP

During the planning of the above functions it was not realised that on the same weekend Newcastle will be host to the National Junior Netball Championship s for which all available accommodatio n has already been booked as far afield as Maitland and Swansea.

Therefore it has been decided with considerable regret to hold the Symposium and Coal Geology Group meeting Department o f Geolog y , A/Prof. Claus F. K. Diessel,

The University o f Newcastle, N. s . w. 2308

ONE WEEK EARLIER

The organisers apologise for any inconvenienc e this action might cause but it is hoped that the change in date to 28th APRIL - 1 MAY, 1984 will present fewer problems to participants and delegates than to face an intolerable degree of bioturbation in a rather restricted environment.

Further details will be given in the Second Circular .

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36

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AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF EXPLORATION

<;;eoptlJsicis ts

The ASEG (WA Branch), in conjunction with the University of Western Australia, is to hold a one day seminar of 3rd May, 1984 at the University of Western Australia entitled: "GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION for PRECAMBRIAN GOLD DEPOSITS" Cost, about $50, includes lunch and the seminar papers.

For information contact: H Doyle, Department of Geology, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, 6009. Phone (09) 380 2676.

EXPLORATION GEOLOGIWJ.ST LOCATION: PERTH

with a vigorous exploration effort aimed at acquiring gold and base metal resources .

Two positions are now available in our W.A. regional office which will form part of a highly professional team of geoscientists involved..il:!.i!i!!!l. in the search for gold deposits in the Y i l g a ~

I-

I

From weekend Australian September 17-18, 1983 via Jenny Birch.

An Australian Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Well Log Analysts (SPWLA) has been formed in Perth with the title of "The Formation Evaluation Society of Western Australia".

The parent society (SPWLA) has 3,900 members worldwide and fosters discussion and professional excellence in all areas of formation evaluation, including wireline logging, mudlogging, coring and testing.

The Western Australian Chapter has about 60 members and has held 3 meetings to date. Members are predominantly from the petroleum industry but non-petroleum geologists interested in formation evaluation are welcome.

Interested party's should contact: Gerry McGann (President), c/- Australian Occidental, 28 Esplanade PERTH WA 6000 37

ONE DAY SYMPOSIUM - GOLD IN QUEENSLAND CALL FOR PAPERS The Department of Geology and Mineralogy of the University of Queensland is planning to hold a one-day symposium, on Tuesday, June 12, 1984, entitled : "GOLD IN QUEENSLAND" Papers relevant to this theme are now invited. Persons interested in submitting papers should forward a resume to: Convenor - Gold in Queensland Symposium, Department of Geology & Mineralogy, University of Queensland ST LUCIA QLD 4067 no later than February 29th, 1984. available for publication.

Papers presented should be

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Registration: Registration will be $A25 . 00 (Students $Al0.00) and will cover Volume of Abstracts, morning and afternoon teas and a Smorgasbord Lunch . Bar facilities will be available .

Papers: A selection of invited and contributed papers will be ---p-resented covering diverse aspects of gold in Queensland, e.g. geology, geophysical and geochemical exploration, economics etc.

Publication: Publication of refereed papers will be as a special issue of Papers Department of Geology, University of Queensland.

Dinner: A sponsored barbeque and drinks will follow the Symposium - - - a t a Campus venue.

Second Notice: This will take the form of a programme with accompanying registration form and will be mailed early March, 1984 .

ENQUIRIES

All enquiries should be directed to: Dr Hugh K. Herbert (Convenor) Tel: (07) 377 2377 or Dr John M.W. Rynn (Hon . Sec . ) Tel: (07) 377 2552 at the above address .

38

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS IN THE BROKEN HILL DISTRICT Under the auspices of the CENTRE FOR ADVANCED STUDIES IN GEOSCIENCES La Trobe University He 1bourne University Monash University

This is a field oriented course intended for those who want to upgrade their knowledge of the principles of modern structural analysis. Lectures will cover recognition of superimposed deformation s, interpretati on of geometrical data and the three- dimensional analysis of geological structures. These will be augmented by extensive field exercises using structural techniques with stratigraph ic and metamorphic studies in order to interpret structural evolution in crustal regions. Particular attention will be paid to the techniques used to interpret the structure of the Broken Hill region.

COURSE LEADERS

Professor Bruce Hobbs (Monash University) Dr Chris Wilson (Melbourne University) Dr David Gray (Monash University)

DATES

4-12 May, 1984

VENUE

Broken Hill. Accommodati on has been arranged at the Silverton Youth Camp.

ELIGIBILITY

The course will be aimed primarily at field geologists from th~ exploration industry and government surveys.

A few places will be reserved for postgraduate students. Numbers will be restricted to 35 people.

COST

$400 includes accommodati on, food and transport in the Broken Hill region (reduced rate for students). A deposit of $150 is required by 16th March, and final payment of $250 is required by 11th April, 1984.

Cheques payable to "Structural Analysis".

TRANSPORT TO BROKEN HILL This will be the participants own responsibil ity and they should arrange to be in Broken Hill on the evening of Friday, 4th May. RETURN REGISTRATION FORM TO : Dr C.J.L. Wilson, Department of Geology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3052.

Telex: AA35185 Telephone: (03) 341 6526 or 341 6520 REGISTRATION FORM NAME ADDRESS •••••••••• ••••.•..••• •••••.•...• .•.•.•....... (Private) .•••• , ••••.•••••• ••.•••••••• •••.••••••• •..••••••••• ••.••. (Work) COMPANY/INSTITUTION .......••.•• •••••••••• •..•......•.. •••.•••• PHONE .•.........• .•.•••• (day) •.•...••••• •...•.•• (night) TELEX PREVIOUS STRUCTURAL EXPERIENCE

(limited)

(moderate)

(extensive)

POSSIBLE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENT ••••••~•••• •••••••••••• •••••••••••• DEADLINES : Registration plus deposit $150 March 16th 1984 Final payment April 11th, 1984

39

BUREAU OF MINERAL RESOURCES, GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS PETROLEUM AND MINERALS REVIEW CONFERENCE 1984 PROGRAM Wednesday, March 21 9.00 10.15

11.00 11.30 12.00 2.00

3.00 4.00

Registration Opening and introductory remarks by the Minister for Resources and Energy, Senator the Honourable Peter Walsh, Secretary of the Department of Resources and Energy, Mr A J Woods, and the Director of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, Dr R WR Rutland.

World petroleum overview and outlook - RB Mitchell, West Australian Petroleum Pty Ltd Australian petroleum exploration and development - JAW White, BMR Australian petroleum resources and future supply - BG McKay, Esso Australia Ltd, and DJ Forman, BMR Options for development of Australia's remote gas resources - Liquid fuel options - N Keith, BHP Petroleum Pty Ltd - LNG option - T W Oerlemans, Shell Australia Ltd Australian mineral industry overview - J Ward, BMR Australian coal industry - Review and immediate outlook - MB Huleatt, BMR - Economic aspects and cost trends - J D Tysoe, Department of Resources and Energy - Industry view of the future - J Yoewart, Australian Coal Association

Thursday, March 22 9.00 9.30 10 . 00 11.00 11.45 12.15 1.45 2.15 2.45 3.25

Contact:

Mineral exploration in Australia - 1983 review and outlook D H Mackenzie, CRA Exploration Ltd Mineral processing in Australia - a Government perspective K P McHugh, Department of Resources and Energy Gemstones - R G Dodson, BMR Phosphate - A J B Driessen, BMR Iron and steel - 1983 review and industry outlook CR Pratt, BMR; MD Gregson, The Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd - I R McLeod, BMR Tin Tantalum - ND Knight, BMR Aluminium - T K McDonald, Comalco Ltd D W Morley, Western Mining Corporation Ltd Gold Copper - DJ Perkin, BMR Nickel - BG Elliott, BMR Lead, zinc, and silver - M J Roarty, BMR; KA Richards, North Broken Hill Holdings Ltd Mineral prices - W S Etheridge, Mining Investment Services Pty Ltd Mrs E.E. Young, Bureau of Mineral Resources, GPO Box 378, Canberra, 2601.

40

THIRD INTERNATIONAL GRAPTOLITE CONFERENCE The Third International Conference of the Graptolite Working Group of the International Palaeontological Association will be held in Denmark on Monday 26th to Saturday, 31st August 1985. It will take place at the conference centre "LO-skolen" at Helsing~r (Elsinore), 40 km north of Copenhagen.

The conference title is "Palaeobiological Aspects and Geological Use of Graptolites".

The presented papers will be divided into topical sessions on the following themes: biostratigraphy; taxonomy and classification; evolution, relation to geological events; palaeobiological and ecological aspects; a diverse group including investigation methods.

In addition workshops will be held on: ultrastructure; diplograptid classification; graptolites and lithofacies; graptolite classification in 3-D and flattened preservation; dendroid/graptoloid transition; computer application on graptolites.

Facilities will also be available for participants to exhibit and demonstrate their graptolite material and scientific results.

Proceedings of the conference will be published in the Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark.

There will be two field meetings associated with the conference: Sunday, 25th August in the Oslo area, Norway, 1. mainly for collecting Ordovician graptolites at Slemmestad.

Departure by boat from Copenhagen Saturday, 24th August and arrival back in Copenhagen by boat Monday, 26th August (special travel offer half price).

Field meeting Saturday, 31st August and Sunday, 2.

1st September in Scania, Sweden for visiting classical Ordovician and Silurian graptolite localities and study of the type collections of the University of Lund. Monday, 2nd September visit to the island of Bornholm, Denmark, to see exposures with well preserved Ordovician and lower Silurian graptolites.

Circular 3 with abstract forms will appear in early 1984. For the Circulars and further information, costs etc., please write to Ulla Thanning (scientific secretary, Organizing Committee) or to Dr M Bjerre skov, (chairman, Organizing Committee), Institute of Historical Geology and Palaeontology, University of Copenhagen, 0ster Voldgade 10, DK-1350, Copenhagen K, Denmark.

41

REGIONAL COMMITTEE ON MEDITERRANEAN NEOGENE STRATIGRAPHY

The VIIIth Congress of the Regional Committee on the Mediterranean Neogene Stratigraphy /RCMNS/ will be held in 1985 in Hungary. Although this Regional Scientific Committee was founded by paleontologists, the Executive Council of the RCMNS has requested the Hungarian party to organize the Congress on a wider basis. The scientific aims have been formulated by considering the special interrelations between stratigraphy, sedimentology, and tectonics and the importance of volcanic rocks in chronostratigraphy and the commercial significance of natural resources in the Neogene .

We would highly appreciate having Australian colleagues among the speakers with topics on comprehensive Neogene geohistory and basin analysis.

Contact:

Organizing Committee of the VIIIth RCMSN Congress Hungarian Geological Survey Nepstadion ut 14.

September 15-22, 1985 1442 Budapest, Pf. 106, HUNGARY BUDAPEST - HUNGARY

4th International Platinum Symposium & Field Trips This symposium will be held in Canada and the USA in July-August, 1985.

The tentative programme Is: • July 27-31

Convene at the Stillwater complex for field trip

• August2-4

Symposium, University of Toronto .

• August 5-7

Field trip, Sudbury, Ontario

Organizing Committee: RA Alcock, L.J. Cabri, J.H. Crocket, A.J. Naldrett (Chairman), N.J Page Papers presented at the conference will be published in Economic Geology, subject to prior critical reviews. Th0se who wish further information, please write to: Professor A.J. Naldrett, Chairman • 4th International Platinum Symposium • Department of Geology • University of Toronto • Toronto, Ontario • MSS 1A1 •Canada•

42

THEHOIDZONSOFSCIBNCE 1984 ANZAAS CONGRESS The 54th ANZAAS Congress will be held in Canberra on 14-18 May, 1984 at ANU. Sessions and Symposia of potential interest to earth Sciences include: The Horizons of Geoscience, The Ocean and Geology, Isotopic Studies, Australian Mineral and Energy Resources, Science and Religion: Meaning and Purpose in an Evolving World, Natural Catastrophes and Extinctions, Development of a National Technology Strategy, Science and Political Decisions.

Further information may be obtained from Dick Dodson or Peter Cook at BMR.

THIRD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOSCIENCE INFORMATION FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT

C

The Third International Conference on Geoscience Information will be held in Adelaide, South Australia, at the Australian Mineral Foundation from 1st to 5th June 1986, in South Australia's Sesquicentennial Year.

The theme of the Conference is 'Geoscience Information as a Resource', to cover the full spectrum of data and information cycles from generation, storage, retrieval, manipulation, use and further generation - with emphasis on source data and the impact of new technologies.

An outline of the Conference programme and call for papers will be released in June 1984.

Further information can be obtained from the Conference Secretariat 3ICGI, C/- Australian Mineral Foundation, Private Bag 97, Glenside, South Australia, 5065, Australia.

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON GEOLOGY OF TIN DEPOSITS October-November, 1984 Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China Organised by Ch inese Academy of Geological Sciences All correspondence concerning the Symposium should be addressed to: Mr Zhang Sihui vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences secretary-General of t he International Symposium on Geology of Tin Deposits c/- Chinese Academy of Geological Science Baiwanzhuang Road 26, Fuchenguenwai Be i jing, China 43

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND GEOMORPHOLOGY GROUP SECOND CONFERENCE Broken Hill, 8- 12 July 1984 The highly successful inaugural meeting of the Group was held in 1982 at Robertson (NSW).

It was well attended and research results were presented with enthusiasm by geologists, physical geographers, pedologists, hydrologists and botanists. Those present unanimously endorsed both the f o r mation of a Group and the organisation of anoth e r meeting.

Organization The se c ond conference is being organized by a committee of three selected at the Robertson meeting. The convenor is Dr J.M.A . Chappell, t he secretary Dr R.J. Wasson and Dr G. Nanson is treasurer.

Programme and Location The seco nd meeting of the Group is to be held in Broken Hill focusing on Semi-arid and Arid Landscapes. Although this is the emphasis we do not wish to discourage any topic in geomorphology defined in its broadest sense and certainly not excluding biotic factors in landform evolution.

I t is planned to hold a week-long post-conference excursion i n t o the Strzelecki Desert to the northwest of Broken Hill.

Three days of research papers are planned with a one-day field excursion during the Conference. The meeting will be held in the Broken Hill Civic Centre wh ich is close to hotels, motels and restaur a nts.

Conference address: Dr J.M.A. Chapp e ll , Convenor, Australian and New Zealand Geomorphology Group Second Co nference. Depar t ment of Bi o g e ography and Geomorphology, Australian National Unive rsity, PO Box 4 , CANBERRA , ACT, 2600, Austra lia .

COLLECTED CASE STUDIES IN

Engineering Geology Hydrogeology Environmental Geology

,,.:,_,~.; .... ,

.. / :'~<-\. ··,.:~:.tt

Published by the Engineering Geology Specialist Group of the·· 7 ••-.'

Geological Society of Australia Incorporated .

Sydnev

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Orde r s for Special Publ i ca tio n No. 11 sho uld be direc t ed t o: The Business Ma nage r, Geologica ] Socie t y of Au s tr al i a In co r porated , Room 1001, Chall i s Ho u se , Mart in P l.1ce Sydney , New Sou t h Wales 2000, Australia.

~ Cost ( inc] ud ing postage)

I'{ fO $29. 50 Au s tralian rurrency

44

Edited by M. J. Knight , E.J. Minty & R.B . Smitt

SHORT COURSE

and WORKSHOP PROGRAMME

1984

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

COURSE MANUAL AND PUBLICATION ORDER FORM

If you wuJld like further inf or mation on any of these Luurs,·s cJn reC_J1stratIon fo r ms when they become available, p lecJsA fill In this fo r m and mai l to:

Please sen d the publications indicated be low to Name

T tie St:?cretar y Tlw E:art h Resou rces Founda ti on E.Li<J,wort h Dav id Bui ld in g u111versi ty of Sydney NSW 2006

A ddress.

Postcode Course Manuals

Address.

~I

t It•, trur

LJ

E:p1thermal Gold - Model for Exploration

0

Co1nput,'rs In Exploration

0

Advan ced Petro leum Geo logy of Terr ige nous Deposi tional Systems

$10 .00

□

Concepts and Methods in Seismic Exploration

$ 10 .00

0

Introducti on to Th ermal Geoh istor y Ana lysis . App licati on to Petroleu m Explorat io n

$1 5.00

□

Modern Coastal Deposit io n In Gin psland

$ 15 00 $20 .00

□

Coal Economics and Assess ment

□

Explo ration Models in Carb onate En vironments (1983)

$25.00

0

A ssessi ng Pet ro leum Invest ments

$ 1500

agnetIcs In Mineral Explorauon Publ ications

0

Structural Geology for Petro leum Exp lo rauon

0

Mo ern Volcanism and Associated Hydrothermal M1nPr alisauon

0

A ust ralia's Minera l Energy Resou rces Assessment and Potent ial

D

Australi an Mesozoic Dino f laoellat es

$200.00

0

The Ex pan ding Ear th

$25 00

$5 00

I enclose a cheque or order for $ be1nQ the price of each Item pl us $ 1 00 per item for postaQe and packing.

0

Massive Sulp ides

lJ

Exploration Models in Delta 1c Environments

Pl ease note. Should an y of t he above items be ou t of pri n t w hen th e ord er is rece ive d yo ur money w ill be re funded.

J

Geophys1Lal Methods In Str atigraphic Trap t: xplrn a11on

(T he ad dress for mail ing is on the rPversP s1dP of this forn1. I

45

LOCATION MAP

White Is. Auckland Tarawera Taupo Tongarlro L1 GroN _.. .,___ 'Ruapehu • "---Egmont

INDIAN PLATE

INTERNATIONAL VOLCANOL OGICAL CONGRESS

PACIFIC PLATE CHRISTCHURCH

400km

Auckland-Ham i lton-Rotorua NEW ZEALAND

Congress Venues O Active Volcanoes • a Main Centres For your reference: date first circular returned to Organising Committee. • •••• , , , , •• , , , •••• , •

1-9 FEBRUARY 1986 On 10 Jun~ .1886 Mt. :J"arawer.a- 25km SE of ,f; Rotorua - burst into actMty. The eruption • ; lasted for less than 4 ½ hqurs.but during that time , • 0.7km 3 of basaltic tephra cqv~red the country- _.

Tar.~wera ., ~ side. Many deep crate_rs , formed th~ _ Rift, the famous Pink and White Terraces .had •:h • m;· peop)e kilted, and at ,leas(l,15 been destroyed f ,· .,,,; ' •) •

All correspondence should be addressed to iercre~~YG~~ti~ising Committee International Volcanological Congress 1986 Department of Geology Victoria University of Wellington Private Bag Wellington New Zealand

1986 will mark the -centenary' of the Tarawera ,' ~ •~ , e~~ption.

' \:t(.~• :.:·:.,, ~-..:..-.. ..- ,\~ .- ~·,, ,;_

ORGANISING COMMITTEE

; ., •'.:~.

Chairmah Jim Cole Secretary John Gamble Treasurer Ian Smith Members • •• Roger Briggs Bruce Houghton John Latter Arthur. Thynne Steve Weaver

SPONSORED BY

::,.;

International Associat ion of Volcanology and Chem istry of the Earth 's Interior Royal Society of New Zealand

OFFICIAL CARRIER

"a,r nEw zEai.ana

Victoria University of Wellington Victoria University of Wellington Auckland University_ Waikato University· N.Z. Geol. Survey, Rotorua Geophysics Div., Wellington Royal Society of New Zealand .

Canterbury University

THEMES FOR SYMPOSIA

The congress will be of a general nature but projected symposia are as follows: ◄, Pyrocl~~tic Flow Deposits - Generation and r L!.J Depos1t1on.

Phreatomagmatic Eruptions and the Role of Water in Explosive Volcanism.

Volcanic Geochemistry associated with Specific Tectonic Environments.

Volcanic Hazards - Prediction and Assessment.

Metallogenesis in Volcanic Terranes and Water L2.J Dominated Geothermal Systems.

Tectonics, Geophysics and Volcanism at Plate Margins.

@J

@]

[!] rs,

[ID

46

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED QUEENSLAND DIVISION G.P.O. BOX 1820, BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND 4001

19 84 STANTHORPE -

FI ELD CON FERENCE

DRAKE -

EMMA VILLE REG ION

jREGISTRATION

5-7 MAY

1984

FORM!

Prof/Dr/Mr/Ms

•

NAME:

•

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

•

TELEPHONE:

•

TOTAL COST ATTACHED:

POSTCODE

(Note:

•

NUMBER . , ..... . ......... .

AREA CODE GSA MEMBERS

$150

NON MEMBERS

$160

D D

STUDENT MEMBERS STUDENT NON MEMBERS

$ 90 $100

D D

Total cost includes transportation, meals, accommodation, registration, field guide book, drinks and snacks during field day, but does not include Saturday lunch, evening bar facilities.)

IDENTIFICATION TAG:

NAME .......... . .............................................. .

AFFILIATION ..................... . ... . ...... . ............ , .... .

•

CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO:

G.S.A. QUEENSLAND DIVISION

•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-·-•-·-•-·-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-·-•-•-·-•-·-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-• VERIFICATION OF STUDENT STATUS: I hereby declare that the abovementioned person is a student at .................... .

(Head of Department or Nominee)

Signed:

•-• -• -• -• -• -• -•-· -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -•---• -• -• -• -• -• -· -•---• -•-· -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -•-• NOTES:

(1) (2) (3)

Excursion places are limited to 45 ex-Brisbane (NSW participants will be ex-Armidale) which will be accepted according to order of receipt of registration.

Full details of the Field Conference (itinerary, guide book, papers, etc.) will be published in the March Newsletter .

Deadline for receipt of papers is 1st March 1984 .

.-• -•-· -• -• -• -•-• -• -• -• -•-• -• -· -• -•-• -• -·-•-• -- -• -• -• -• -· -• -• -• -• -• -• -• -•-• -• -•-• -•-• Rt?,TURN REGISTRATION TO:

Dr. H.K. Herbert, Convenor, GSQ Qld Division 1984 Field Conference, · C/- Department of Geology & Mineralogy, University of Queensland, Qld 4067 .

ST . LUCIA,

•-• -• -• -• -• -• -• -•-•-·-• -• -• -• -•-•---• -• -· -·-•-• -• -• -• -• -•-• -•-•---•-• -• -• -• -• -•-• -• -• FURTHER DETAILS FROM:

Dr. Hugh Herbert Mr. John Draper Dr. Jack Rynn

47

(07)377 .2377 (07)224.4967 (07)377.2552

THE ERUDITE GEOLOGIST (With apologies to W S Gilbert and geologists everywhere. ) I am the very model of an erudite geologist, I'm both a metamorphic and an igneous petrologist ; I know the common minerals from andesine to cryolite, And have the skills required to tell a limestone from a rhyolite.

I'm very well acquainted with the freezing of the liquidusI understand the temperature at which the melt's ubiquitous; I know the very latest trends of isochron and isotope, I've mastered every facet of the polarizing microscope!

I'm very good at sediments and basinal stratigraph y, I read the writing of the rocks like crystal-cle ar calligraphy ; In short, I'm neither braggart nor a falsely sham apologist, But I am the very model of an erudite geologist.

I have a thorough knowledge of all matters geochemica l, From aqueous solutions to the cyanide systemical; I know the flaws and pitfalls of the methods analytical, Of any slight dis c repancy I'm always super-criti cal.

For scientific methods I've remarkable propensity, (I know that gold and platinum have high specific density), I can quote the precious elements from silver to germanium, But know it's never politic to talk about uranium!

I'm keen to bandy language with the budding geophysici st, Of jargon and verbosity I'm quietly a quizzicist Because I've got t he makings of an amateur philologis t, And I am the very model of an erudite geologist, I've conquered all the problems that are classified explorat'ry , By observation in the field and back in the laborat'ry; The meaning of the outward sign is usually deducible, Resorting to the rigmarole of spatula and crucible.

I can pick a new bonanza from a spurious anomaly, I'll preach on my opinion in ·a never-endin g homily.

I know of ores and aquifers from principles theoretical , I follow the establishme nt - I've never been heretical.

My exploration formula is definitely empirical, I think that sulphide genesis is nothing but a miracle, And that divining minerals is done by a theologist.

I am the very model of an erudite geologist.

W.J.L. Brooke From Ex-Div Magazine (Western Mining) 1983.

48