8412.0 - Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia, Dec 2000  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 21/03/2001   
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  • Petroleum and mineral exploration expenditure increases (Media Release)

MEDIA RELEASE

March 21, 2001
Embargoed: 11:30 AM (AEST)
25/2001
Petroleum and mineral exploration expenditure increases

Expenditure on petroleum exploration during the December quarter 2000 rose by 15% ($34m) to $253m, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was the highest reported since the December quarter 1998.

The rise in total petroleum exploration expenditure was a result of a 10% ($19m) increase in offshore expenditure, and a 44% ($15m) increase in onshore expenditure.

Of the published regions for petroleum exploration, Western Australia reported an increase in expenditure of 12% ($18m), while Victoria reported an increase in expenditure of $7m. Victorian expenditure was double that of the previous quarter.

The trend estimate for mineral exploration expenditure in the December quarter 2000 rose slightly, continuing the small increases that have been prevalent in the last three quarters.

In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure for the December quarter 2000 increased by 10% ($17m) to $187m. Western Australia was the main contributor to the December quarter increase, up 13% ($14m). Exploration expenditure for nickel and cobalt rose by 40% ($7m) and gold by 5% ($5m).

For the December quarter, a total of 1.5 million metres was drilled for mineral exploration, 4% lower than the September quarter 2000.

Further information can be found in Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia, December Quarter 2000 (cat. no. 8412.0) available from ABS bookshops. The main features of the publication are available on this site. If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication, contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.