8412.0 - Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia, Jun 2017  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/09/2017   
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SUMMARY COMMENTARY


MINERAL EXPLORATION (OTHER THAN FOR PETROLEUM)


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure increased 6.6% ($26.4m) to $428.5m in the June quarter 2017. The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate this quarter was Western Australia (up 6.5%, $17.4m). The current quarter estimate is 23.5% higher than the June quarter 2016 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for mineral exploration expenditure rose 9.9% ($39.3m) to $437.7m in the June quarter 2017. The largest contributor to the rise this quarter was Western Australia (up 5.3%, $14.3m).

MINERAL EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: Mineral Exploration (Time Series Estimate): Expenditure and Metres Drilled, ; Total deposits , Australia


In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose 31.8% ($107.3m) to $444.9m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration on areas of new deposits rose 32.1% ($33.0m) and expenditure on areas of existing deposits rose 31.6% ($74.1m).

In original terms, the largest increase by minerals sought came from expenditure on selected base metals (up 73.0%, $39.7m).

MINERAL EXPLORATION, Original series
Graph: MINERAL EXPLORATION, Original series



METRES DRILLED

The trend estimate for metres drilled rose 6.9% in the June quarter 2017. The current quarter estimate is 27.0% higher than the June quarter 2016 estimate.

The seasonally adjusted estimate for metres drilled rose 5.2% in the June quarter 2017.

METRES DRILLED, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: METRES DRILLED, Seasonally adjusted and trend


In original terms, metres drilled rose 44.5%. Drilling in areas of new deposits rose 41.1% and drilling in areas of existing deposits rose 44.5%.

METRES DRILLED, Original series
Graph: METRES DRILLED, Original series



PETROLEUM EXPLORATION


TOTAL EXPENDITURE

The trend estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 0.9% ($3.0m) to $345.8m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration expenditure on production leases rose 35.1% ($14.5m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas fell 3.6% (-$10.8m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for total petroleum exploration expenditure rose 4.7% ($16.1m) to $355.6m in the June quarter 2017. Exploration expenditure on production leases rose 53.1% ($22.2m) and exploration expenditure on all other areas fell 2.0% (-$6.0m).

The largest contributor to the increase in the trend estimate was Northern Territory (up 19.3%, $20.6m) and the largest contributor to the rise in the seasonally adjusted estimate was Queensland (up 24.3%, $11.1m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Seasonally adjusted and trend



ONSHORE

The trend estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 12.9% ($15.0m) to $131.6m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 19.7% ($13.4m) and other onshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 3.1% ($1.5m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for onshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 10.5% (-$14.7m) to $125.1m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 1.9% ($1.5m) and other onshore petroleum exploration fell 26.1% (-$16.2m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: ONSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: ONSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend



OFFSHORE

The trend estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 4.8% (-$10.9m) to $215.2m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 2.8% ($3.7m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure fell 15.4% (-$14.7m).

The seasonally adjusted estimate for offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 15.5% ($30.9m) to $230.6m in the June quarter 2017. Expenditure on drilling rose 22.3% ($26.4m) and other offshore petroleum exploration expenditure rose 5.5% ($4.5m).

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: OFFSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend
Graph: PETROLEUM EXPLORATION: OFFSHORE, Seasonally adjusted and trend


NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE (QUARTER) Release Date
September 2017 4 December 2017
December 2017 5 March 2018
March 2018 4 June 2018
June 2018 3 September 2018



CHANGES TO THE NEXT ISSUE
  • This is the final issue for which a readily printable (PDF) publication will be released. As of the September 2017 issue (scheduled for release 4 December 2017), headline data items will be presented in HTML format. Data series released in the Time Series Spreadsheets will be maintained and produced to the same timetable currently in place for this release.
  • The ABS is considering proposals to change the survey questions in order to better capture greenfields exploration activity. The ABS invites, and welcomes feedback on this strategy and interested parties should contact alise.ferreira@abs.gov.au.


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