Resource exploration underpins the discovery and sustainable management of the critical mineral and water resources that modern society depends upon. As global demand for critical minerals, energy transition materials, and freshwater continues to grow, the need to locate, characterise and evaluate subsurface resources has never been greater.
This course provides a broad introduction to the principles and practices of resource exploration, with a focus on both mineral and water resources. Students will be introduced to a range of geological, geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing techniques used to identify and delineate resource targets across a variety of settings. Emphasis is placed on developing an integrated understanding of how multiple exploration methods are combined to build robust subsurface models and guide resource discovery.
Students completing this course will be equipped with the conceptual frameworks and skills needed to design and evaluate exploration programs, interpret multi-disciplinary datasets, and communicate exploration findings. The course draws on contemporary case studies from Australian and international resource sectors, reflecting the breadth of environments and commodities encountered in modern exploration practice.
This course is relevant to students interested in pursuing careers in the minerals industry, hydrogeology, environmental consulting, government geological surveys, and research.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Synthesise knowledge across geological, geophysical, geochemical, and remote sensing disciplines to develop integrated conceptual models of mineral and water resource systems.
- Critically evaluate exploration methodologies, survey designs, and data acquisition strategies in relation to target commodity, setting, and operational constraints.
- Interpret and integrate multi-disciplinary exploration datasets to characterise subsurface structures, identify resource targets, and assess exploration potential.
- Design and justify exploration programs that balance technical rigour, economic feasibility, and environmental responsibility.
- Appraise uncertainty and risk in exploration outcomes by evaluating the assumptions, limitations, and confidence levels inherent in subsurface models and resource assessments.
- Communicate exploration findings effectively through written reports, oral presentations, and data visualisations.
Other Information
This course is suitable for students interested in critical minerals, resource exploration, hydrogeology, environmental consulting, government geoscience, geophysics, geochemistry, remote sensing and applied Earth science. The course emphasises practical exploration workflows, multi-disciplinary data integration and responsible resource assessment.
The Independent project is a hurdle requirement: Students must achieve a passing grade in both written report and presentation to pass the course.
Indicative Assessment
- Written assessments (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Data interpretation project (20) [LO 1,3,5]
- Independent project (including a written report, 20% and a presentation, 20% - hurdle requirement) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
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Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 x 1 hour lectures plus 1 x 3 hour practical per week.
- Approximately 70 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, presentations and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts. Recommended readings and reference texts will be provided through Canvas and the class summary.
Preliminary Reading
"An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration" by Kearey, Brooks, and Hill (Blackwell)
“Principles of Applied Geophysics” by Parasnis (Chapman & Hall)
“Applied Geophysics” by Telford, Geldart, & Sheriff (Cambridge University Press)
"Introduction to Mineral Exploration" by Moon, Whateley, & Evans (Blackwell Publishing)
Assumed Knowledge
Students are expected to have a background in Earth science, geology, geophysics, environmental science, hydrogeology or a cognate discipline. Familiarity with geological maps, basic geophysical or geochemical datasets, and introductory quantitative or spatial data interpretation will be helpful. Students without this background should seek advice from the course convener before enrolling.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.