MINERAL AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION...200 400 600 800 1000 Onshore Offshore PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Original series In the September quarter 2011, the largest fall in petroleum exploration

17Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14Explanatory Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A D D I T I O N A L I N F O R M A T I O N

13Petroleum exploration, expenditure by state and territory7 . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Petroleum exploration, expenditure by onshore and offshore6 . . . . . . . . . . .10

Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum), expenditure by state andmineral sought

5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum), expenditure by state andterritory

4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum), expenditure by state andtype of deposit

3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7Mineral exploration, (other than for petroleum), expenditure and metresdrilled

2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7Private exploration, actual and expected expenditure1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T A B L E

3Summary of findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

page

C O N T E N T S

E M B A R G O : 1 1 . 3 0 A M ( C A N B E R R A T I M E ) W E D 1 4 D E C 2 0 1 1

MINERAL AND PETROLEUMEXPLORATION A U S T R A L I A

8412.0S E P T E M B E R Q U A R T E R 2 0 1 1

For further informationabout these and relatedstatistics, contact theNational Information andReferral Service on1300 135 070 orMark Busby on Sydney(02) 9268 4533.

I N Q U I R I E S

w w w . a b s . g o v . a u

12 December 2012September 2012

12 September 2012June 2012

13 June 2012March 2012

14 March 2012December 2011

RELEASE DATEISSUE (Quarter)FO R T H C O M I N G I S S U E S

There are no changes in this issue.CH A N G E S TO TH I S I S S U E

Zone of CooperationZOC

wholesale sales taxWST

United Nations Transitional Administration in East TimorUNTAET

Joint Petroleum Development AreaJPDA

goods and services taxGST

Australian Bureau of StatisticsABSAB B R E V I A T I O N S

B r i a n P i n k

Au s t r a l i a n S t a t i s t i c i a n

2 A B S • M I N E R A L A N D P E T R O L E U M EX P L O R A T I O N • 8 4 1 2 . 0 • SE P 2 0 1 1

N O T E S

The largest contribution to the rise in the trend estimate this quarter was in Queensland

(up 12.5% or $27.0m) followed by Western Australia (up 3.1% or $13.9m).

The trend estimate for metres drilled rose 4.5% this quarter. The current quarter

estimate is 28.7% higher than the September quarter 2010 estimate.

Sep2003

Sep2005

Sep2007

Sep2009

Sep2011

$m

0

200

400

600

800

1000Seasonally AdjustedTrend

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, Seasona l l y adjus ted and trend ser ies

The trend estimate for total mineral exploration expenditure rose 6.2% (or $53.8m) to

$919.3m in the September quarter 2011. The current quarter estimate is 45.4% higher

than the September quarter 2010 estimate.

TR E N D ES T I M A T E S

M I N E R A L EX P L O R A T I O N (O T H E R TH A N FO R PE T R O L E U M )

A B S • M I N E R A L A N D P E T R O L E U M EX P L O R A T I O N • 8 4 1 2 . 0 • SE P 2 0 1 1 3

S U M M A R Y O F F I N D I N G S

Sep2003

Sep2005

Sep2007

Sep2009

Sep2011

$m

0

100

200

300

400Selected base metals totalGoldIron oreAll Other

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, ORIGINAL SERIES

The seasonally adjusted estimate of mineral exploration expenditure rose 6.9% (or

$59.8m) to $921.7m in the September quarter 2011. The largest rise this quarter was in

Queensland (up 12.5% or $27.7m) followed by Western Australia (up 3.8% or $16.4m).

In original terms, mineral exploration expenditure rose 8.4% (or $76.0m). Western

Australia had the largest rise (up 7.1% or $32.0m), followed by Queensland (up 8.3% or

$20.2m).

In original terms, exploration on areas of new deposits rose 7.2% (or $21.0m), while

expenditure on areas of existing deposits rose 8.9% (or $55.0m).

In original terms, the largest rise by minerals sought came from expenditure on coal

exploration (up 12.2% or $24.7m), with the largest rise occurring in New South Wales.

The next largest rise came from expenditure on iron ore exploration (up 9.3% or

$20.0m).

EX P L O R A T I O N

EX P E N D I T U R E



S U M M A R Y O F F I N D I N G S continued

Sep2003

Sep2005

Sep2007

Sep2009

Sep2011

'000

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500New depositsExisting deposits

METRES DRILLED, Or ig ina l ser ies

In seasonally adjusted terms, total metres drilled rose 2.0% in the September quarter

2011. In original terms total metres drilled rose 9.8%. Drilling in areas of new deposits

rose 6.0% and drilling in areas of existing deposits rose 11.8%.

ME T R E S DR I L L E D




Sep2003

Sep2005

Sep2007

Sep2009

Sep2011

$m

0

200

400

600

800

1000OnshoreOffshore

PETROLEUM EXPLORAT ION, Or ig ina l ser ies

In the September quarter 2011, the largest fall in petroleum exploration expenditure was

in Western Australia (down 23.6% or –$151.1m) followed by South Australia (down 5.8%

or –$2.2m). The total fall was offset by rises in Queensland and other confidentialised

states.

RE G I O N A L DA T A

Expenditure on petroleum exploration for the September quarter 2011 fell 8.1% (or

–$69.1m) to $780.2m.

Expenditure on exploration on production leases rose 7.3% (or $9.8m) to $144.7m, while

exploration on all other areas fell 11.0% (or –$78.9m) to $635.5m this quarter.

Offshore exploration fell 19.8% (or –$131.3m) to $531.6m, while onshore exploration

expenditure rose 33.4% (or $62.2m) to $248.6m.

OV E R V I E W

PE T R O L E U M EX P L O R A T I O N



(a) Refer to Explanatory Notes paragraphs 14-16.nya not yet available

nya1 104.9nyanya456.1nyanya1 813.2nya1 595.9nyaDec half2011–2012

107.81 183.71 275.884.1403.7339.5110.11 414.3122.01 277.11 557.5Jun half96.51 329.01 283.1110.1378.6416.9106.41 309.5123.41 129.61 393.8Dec half

2010–2011127.61 161.71 481.884.2460.3387.692.91 180.5103.41 060.81 096.4Jun half

2009–2010101.82 512.72 559.096.7782.2756.5108.42 723.8122.62 406.72 951.32010–11103.32 658.02 745.689.8834.0748.6101.32 204.2115.91 925.82 232.52009–10124.62 663.43 318.499.0497.1492.390.22 464.1102.62 166.62 223.12008–09

%$m$m%$m$m%$m%$m$m

Actual as a

proportion

of expectedExpectedActual

Actual as a

proportion


Actual as a

proportion

of expected

- Adjusted

Expected

Adjusted(a)

Actual as a

proportion


PETROLEUM OFFSHOREPETROLEUM ONSHOREMINERAL EXPLORATION

Per i od

PRIVATE EXPLORAT ION, ACTUAL AND EXPECTED EXPENDITURE1

. . not applicable

2 8252 7993 1582 1201 038919.3921.7983.4670.3313.1September2011–12

2 7032 7432 8751 896979865.5861.9907.4615.3292.1June2 5202 5611 9791 362617785.5818.6650.1435.1215.0March2 3392 2672 3821 449933698.0667.2724.4434.9289.5December2 1952 1852 4631 556907632.4625.3669.4428.5240.9September

2010–112 1382 2152 3201 390930594.3608.3637.1387.9249.2June2 1241 9831 543996548572.2572.0459.3285.9173.4March2 0532 1952 2941 437858538.5532.8578.8349.7229.0December

2009–10

. .. .9 6996 2633 436. .. .2 951.31 913.81 037.52010–11

. .. .8 2995 2443 054. .. .2 232.51 379.1853.42009–10

. .. .7 8885 1672 720. .. .2 223.11 383.8839.32008–09

'000'000'000'000'000$m$m$m$m$m

Trend

Total

Seasonally

Adjusted

TotalTotal

Existing

deposits

New

deposits

Trend

Total

Seasonally

Adjusted

TotalTotal

Existing

deposits

New

deposits

METRES DRILLEDEXPENDITURE

Per i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re and metres dr i l l ed2


983.471.69.6481.674.7263.019.463.6September2011–12

907.455.09.6449.685.2242.819.445.8June650.134.79.4362.262.6129.113.139.0March724.449.810.2393.759.5161.812.536.9December669.455.88.0384.647.4129.812.431.5September

2010–11637.136.17.1366.348.1128.720.230.7June459.325.05.7257.134.080.624.232.6March578.839.14.4321.737.6123.524.028.4December

2009–10

2 951.3195.237.31 590.1254.6663.557.5153.12010–112 232.5149.520.71 244.1167.9436.683.3130.42009–102 223.1146.120.41 246.8220.7351.762.2175.32008–09

TO T A L

670.346.35.9336.938.8184.37.350.9September2011–12



2009–10

1 913.8106.020.31 023.7123.1491.230.2119.32010–111 379.161.57.2760.768.3337.557.586.32009–101 383.877.18.4781.1138.8249.032.896.62008–09

EX I S T I N G DE P O S I T S

313.125.33.7144.835.978.712.112.7September2011–12



2009–10

1 037.589.217.0566.4131.5172.327.333.92010–11853.488.013.5483.399.699.125.844.12009–10839.369.011.9465.781.9102.729.478.72008–09

NE W DE P O S I T S

$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m

Australia

Northern

TerritoryTasmania

Western

Australia

South

AustraliaQueenslandVictoria

New

South

Wales

Pe r i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re by type of depos i t3


919.356.89.7456.177.1242.620.456.6September2011–12



2009–10

TR E N D

921.757.19.7448.174.3249.520.462.6September2011–12



2009–10

SE A S O N A L L Y AD J U S T E D

983.471.69.6481.674.7263.019.463.6September2011–12



2009–10

2 951.3195.237.31 590.1254.6663.557.5153.12010–112 232.5149.520.71 244.1167.9436.683.3130.42009–102 223.1146.120.41 246.8220.7351.762.2175.32008–09

OR I G I N A L

$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m

Australia

Northern

TerritoryTasmania

Western

Australia

South


New

South

Wales

Pe r i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re by state and ter r i to r y4


(a) From September quarter 2000 Publication tin, tungsten, scheelite, wolframand construction materials were added to this category.

— nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless

otherwise indicated

263.09.4np194.3npnpnp12.941.6npnp39.9September2011–12

242.87.3np184.44.1npnp12.633.6npnp31.5June129.15.5np90.1npnpnp6.723.7npnp20.3March161.89.9np107.2npnpnp13.026.3npnp21.9December129.87.7np74.8npnpnp12.127.5npnp22.4September

2010–11128.79.4np81.8np—np11.319.9npnp17.8June80.68.2np45.1np0.1np8.314.7npnp13.8March

123.512.00.169.8npnpnp14.320.7npnp17.7December2009–10

663.530.4np456.417.6npnp44.5111.0npnp96.02010–11436.632.50.2262.6npnpnp45.872.7npnp64.02009–10351.719.5np173.3npnpnp38.888.6npnp65.12008–09

QU E E N S L A N D

19.4np—0.3—npnp8.6npnpnpnpSeptember2011–12

19.40.6—0.3—npnp11.9npnpnpnpJune13.1np—np—np—8.4npnpnpnpMarch12.5np—np—npnp9.1npnpnpnpDecember12.4np—np—npnp11.10.5npnp0.3September

2010–1120.2np—np—npnp15.81.8npnpnpJune24.2np—5.1—npnp17.5npnpnpnpMarch24.00.3—np—np—18.3npnpnp1.1December

2009–10

57.52.0—0.8—npnp40.4npnpnpnp2010–1183.30.8—np—npnp63.15.5npnp3.52009–1062.2npnpnp—1.9np43.4npnpnpnp2008–09

V I C T O R I A

63.6npnp28.4—npnp10.219.30.29.69.6September2011–12

45.82.9np15.5—npnp10.914.8npnp7.4June39.01.3np16.6npnpnp8.312.0npnp7.0March36.92.1np11.0npnpnp12.111.0npnp7.8December31.51.9np8.7—npnp12.07.9npnp5.3September

2010–1130.71.6np8.7—npnp12.56.8npnp4.0June32.61.6np9.0—npnp12.28.5—2.36.2March28.41.6np9.8—np0.28.27.00.21.75.2December

2009–10

153.18.2np51.8npnpnp43.245.8npnp27.52010–11130.47.6np39.7—np0.448.828.70.310.218.22009–10175.313.1np105.0npnpnp21.427.2npnp14.42008–09

NE W SO U T H WA L E S

$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m

Total

Nickel,

cobalt

Silver,

lead,

zincCopper

TotalMineral

ExplorationOther(a)DiamondsCoalUranium

Mineral

sands

Iron

oreGold

SELECTED BASE METALS

Per i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re by minera l sought5



— nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless

otherwise indicated

9.65.6——np—0.5npnp0.3npnpSeptember2011–12

9.65.0—np——np1.9npnp1.0npJune9.4np—np——1.02.3np0.5npnpMarch

10.24.4—np——npnpnpnp1.2npDecember8.0np—npnp—0.6np2.0npnp0.6September

2010–117.12.1—npnp—0.92.51.6npnp0.4June5.71.9—npnp—1.21.1np0.2npnpMarch4.41.1—npnp—np1.3npnpnp—December

2009–10

37.3np—npnp—2.69.1np2.1npnp2010–1120.76.2—npnpnpnp5.85.00.8npnp2009–1020.4np—npnpnp6.23.0np1.5npnp2008–09

TA S M A N I A

481.618.1npnp25.92.8208.8126.797.371.55.020.8September2011–12

449.617.1npnp20.23.7189.9122.394.968.85.121.0June362.216.2npnp22.62.6124.4108.986.065.15.415.6March393.716.7npnp31.12.4134.5116.090.459.87.722.9December384.618.8npnp26.82.1136.2105.393.867.47.219.2September

2010–11366.316.2npnp17.53.1142.3109.076.954.37.215.4June257.113.7np0.58.6np89.481.860.846.36.28.3March321.715.30.1np18.7np131.287.066.048.03.714.3December

2009–10

1 590.168.9npnp100.710.8585.0452.5365.1261.025.478.72010–111 244.165.20.23.955.411.8497.1348.5262.1194.721.545.92009–101 246.871.25.08.628.312.9558.7262.7299.5246.824.528.12008–09

WE S T E R N AU S T R A L I A

74.7npnpnp11.8np14.3np32.1npnp29.6September2011–12

85.211.4npnp13.5np17.32.737.2npnp34.1June62.6npnpnp9.3np13.91.727.90.62.225.1March59.5npnpnp17.5np9.8np24.90.11.223.6December47.41.0np0.713.4np7.0np20.2npnp18.6September

2010–1148.1npnpnp10.12.66.72.425.00.41.623.0June34.0npnp0.65.6np4.72.518.9npnp17.1March37.60.2npnp11.8np2.45.714.70.21.113.4December

2009–10

254.6npnp4.453.7np48.09.0110.31.77.0101.52010–11167.91.6np2.352.7np16.218.967.6npnp61.92009–10220.71.6npnp72.66.714.242.179.01.815.262.02008–09

SO U T H AU S T R A L I A


Total

Nickel,

cobalt

Silver,

lead,

zincCopper

TotalMineral


Mineral

sands

Iron

oreGold


Per i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re by minera l sought

co n t i n u e d5



np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unlessotherwise indicated

983.462.7np227.454.0np234.7184.2204.573.622.0108.9September2011–12

907.460.3np202.746.6np214.7178.2192.971.619.8101.5June650.143.40.6109.643.46.2144.1146.4156.567.618.070.9March724.444.2np122.365.3np154.2167.3162.862.418.781.8December669.448.4np85.158.6np152.0160.3157.269.319.068.9September

2010–11637.137.5np94.042.4np150.8165.7135.956.415.963.7June459.332.5np60.423.7np96.3130.8107.547.613.047.0March578.839.71.084.749.16.5136.5145.5115.851.310.454.0December

2009–10

2 951.3196.38.9519.7213.926.1664.9652.1669.4270.975.5323.02010–112 232.5147.110.3321.1169.028.3524.1575.4457.2203.951.6201.62009–102 223.1154.110.1297.3185.330.5588.7438.1519.0259.880.5178.72008–09

AU S T R A L I A

71.615.0npnp12.1np8.323.17.8npnp6.0September2011–12

55.016.2npnp8.8np5.015.95.7npnp4.5June34.77.3npnp8.7np4.510.02.20.21.01.0March49.810.0npnp12.1np8.512.05.5npnp3.9December55.815.0npnp12.3np6.415.45.3npnp2.5September

2010–1136.17.3npnp8.5npnp12.24.0np1.6npJune25.06.6npnp5.5npnp7.32.10.40.90.8March39.19.3npnp12.1npnp10.84.5npnp2.3December

2009–10

195.248.5npnp41.9np24.553.418.71.55.311.92010–11149.533.4npnp38.7npnp44.415.53.6npnp2009–10146.141.62.0np54.5npnp26.711.4npnp4.12008–09

NO R T H E R N TE R R I T O R Y


Total

Nickel,

cobalt

Silver,

lead,

zincCopper

TotalMineral


Mineral

sands

Iron

oreGold


Per i od

MINERAL EXPLORAT ION, (Other than for pet ro leum) —Expend i tu re by minera l sought

co n t i n u e d5


(a) Refer to Glossary for definition.

780.2635.5144.7531.6115.9415.8248.668.5180.1September2011–12

849.3714.4134.9662.9137.2525.7186.442.5143.8June766.1623.5142.6612.993.6519.3153.226.5126.7March849.6582.2267.4643.2122.1521.1206.428.0178.4December850.4577.0273.4639.987.7552.2210.535.5175.1September

2010–111 005.9773.6232.3796.7125.3671.4209.249.7159.5June

863.5735.2128.3685.1108.2576.9178.450.9127.5March827.0645.7181.4614.7144.9469.8212.353.1159.2December

2009–10

3 315.42 497.1818.42 559.0440.72 118.3756.5132.5624.02010–113 494.12 645.0849.22 745.6564.62 181.0748.6184.3564.32009–103 810.82 867.4943.43 318.41 159.02 159.4492.3174.6317.72008–09

$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m

Total

On all

other

areas(a)

On

production

leases(a)TotalOtherDrillingTotalOtherDrilling

TOTAL EXPENDITUREOFFSHOREONSHORE

Per i od

PETROLEUM EXPLORAT ION, Expend i tu re by onshore and of fshore6

(a) Also contains some additional areas. See paragraphs 5and 6 of the Explanatory Notes.

np not available for publication but included in totals whereapplicable, unless otherwise indicated

780.2npnp487.935.8141.80.7npSeptember2011–12

849.333.7np639.038.0104.6np28.4June766.16.0np607.028.388.1np23.8March849.622.5np559.215.1125.3np54.0December850.425.7np597.1np145.1np20.9September

2010–111 005.932.56.2692.3np127.0np39.9June

863.537.43.7646.713.7113.29.339.5March827.049.0np541.728.1144.6np21.3December

2009–10

3 315.488.0np2 402.3np463.1np127.12010–113 494.1152.3np2 484.6np480.5134.2108.92009–103 810.8246.7np2 945.1112.2288.2140.8np2008–09

$m$m$m$m$m$m$m$m

Total

Northern

Territory(a)Tasmania

Western

Australia

South


New

South

Wales

Pe r i od

PETROLEUM EXPLORAT ION, Expend i tu re by state and ter r i to r y7


7 Seasonal adjustment is a means of removing the estimated effects of normal seasonal

variation from the series so that the effects of other influences can be more clearly

recognised. Seasonal adjustment does not aim to remove the irregular or non-seasonal

influences which may be present in any particular series.

8 These irregular influences that are volatile or unsystematic can make it difficult to

interpret the movement of the series even after adjustment for seasonal variation. This

means that quarter-to-quarter movements of seasonally adjusted estimates may not be

reliable indicators of trend behaviour.

9 In this publication, the seasonally adjusted estimates are produced by the concurrent

seasonal adjustment method which takes account of the latest available original

estimates. This method improves the estimation of seasonal factors, and therefore, the

seasonally adjusted and trend estimates for the current and previous quarters. As a result

of this improvement, revisions to the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates will be

observed for recent periods. A more detailed review is conducted on an annual basis.

10 The revision properties of the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates can be

improved by the use of autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) modelling.

ARIMA modelling relies on the characteristics of the series being analysed to project

future period data. The projected values are temporary, intermediate values, that are

SE A S O N A L AD J U S T M E N T

2 The Mineral Exploration and Petroleum Exploration censuses cover private

enterprises known to be engaged in exploration in Australia, and in Australian waters

including the Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA), regardless of the main activity

of the explorer.

3 The Joint Petroleum Development Area (JPDA) is an area in the Timor Sea, about 500

km north west of Darwin. The JPDA consists of the area previously referred to as Area A

of the Zone of Cooperation (ZOC). A treaty was signed with Indonesia in 1989 to enable

exploration for and development of petroleum resources in this area. Following East

Timor's separation from Indonesia, arrangements continued on a transitional basis

between Australia and the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor

(UNTAET) on behalf of East Timor. On 20 May 2002, the newly independent East Timor

and Australia accepted arrangements as proposed in the new Timor Sea Treaty (based on

an 'Exchange of Notes' between the two countries). A new Treaty, which entered into

force on the 2 April 2003, provides the necessary framework arrangements for

companies to exploit resources in the JPDA.

4 The areas formerly known as Areas B and C of the Zone of Cooperation no longer

exist under this arrangement. Since 20 May 2002, ZOCB is simply a part of Australia's

waters, and ZOCC a part of East Timor's.

5 Exploration in the JPDA is included in estimates for the Northern Territory. Further,

as a reflection of the joint Australia/East Timor administration of exploration and

production activity in the JPDA, 50% of exploration expenditure in the JPDA is excluded

from the estimates. The feature article 'Statistical Treatment of Economic Activity in the

Timor Sea' published in the September Quarter 2003 issue of Australian National

Accounts: National Income, Expenditure and Product (cat. no. 5206.0) provides further

details.

6 The tenements in the Ashmore and Cartier Islands are administered by the Northern

Territory Department of Mines and Energy. Therefore all petroleum exploration

expenditure in this area has been included with the Northern Territory data.

SC O P E AN D CO V E R A G E

1 The private sector exploration statistics appearing in this publication have been

collected and compiled from the Mineral Exploration and Petroleum Exploration

quarterly censuses conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This publication

contains actual and expected exploration expenditure.

I N T R O D U C T I O N


E X P L A N A T O R Y N O T E S

18 Users may also wish to refer to the following publications which are available from

the ABS web site:

! Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure, Australia

(cat. no. 5625.0)

! Australian Mining Industry (cat. no. 8414.0)

! Mining Operations, Australia (cat. no. 8415.0)

RE L A T E D PU B L I C A T I O N S

17 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals,

businesses, government and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is

appreciated: without it a wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be

available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by

the Census and Statistics Act 1905.

AC K N O W L E D G M E N T

14 Expected expenditure is collected in June and December quarter each year.

Businesses are asked to report their expected expenditure for the next six months.

15 From the June quarter 2000 publication, the basis for the Expected Mineral

Exploration Expenditure series changed. Prior to June 2000, the expected estimates

released were simple aggregates of data compiled through the quarterly Mineral

Exploration collection. However, these aggregates underestimated actual expenditure to

a fairly consistent degree. The consistency with which the published data

underestimated actual expenditure suggested that adjustments to improve the accuracy

and usefulness of the estimates of expected expenditure would be possible.

16 In the period since June 2000, such adjustments have been made to reported

expected exploration data resulting in estimates which better predict actual expenditure

for the same period. For more information regarding the adjustments made to the

Expected Mineral Exploration Expenditure series, see the feature article in the

June quarter 2000 and the appendix in the December quarter 2002 issue of this

publication. Since the June quarter 2003 issue, both unadjusted and adjusted

expectations data have been presented in this publication.

EX P E C T E D EX P L O R A T I O N

EX P E N D I T U R E

11 The smoothing of seasonally adjusted series to create trend estimates reduces the

impact of the irregular component of the seasonally adjusted series.

12 The trend estimates are derived by applying a 7-term Henderson moving average to

the seasonally adjusted series. The 7-term Henderson average is symmetric but, as the

end of a time series is approached, asymmetric forms of the average are applied. Unlike

the weights of the standard 7-term Henderson moving average, the weights employed

here have been tailored to suit particular characteristics of the individual series. While

the asymmetric weights enable trend estimates for recent quarters to be produced, it

does result in revisions to the estimates for the most recent three quarters as additional

observations become available. There may also be revisions because of changes in the

original data and as a result of the re-estimation of the seasonal factors.

13 Information Paper: A Guide to Interpreting Time Series, Monitoring Trends, an

Overview (cat. no. 1349.0), can be obtained by contacting Time Series Analysis Canberra

on (02) 6252 6345 or e-mail <[email protected]>.

TR E N D ES T I M A T E S

only used internally to improve the estimation of the seasonal factors. The projected data

do not affect the original estimates and are discarded at the end of the seasonal

adjustment process. The Mineral Exploration collection uses ARIMA modelling where

appropriate for individual time series. The ARIMA model is assessed as part of the annual

review. For more information on the details of ARIMA modelling see the feature article:

Use of ARIMA modelling to reduce revisions in the October 2004 issue of Australian

Economic Indicators (cat. no. 1350.0).

SE A S O N A L AD J U S T M E N T

continued


E X P L A N A T O R Y N O T E S continued

21 Where figures have been rounded discrepancies may occur between the sums of

the component items and their totals.

EF F E C T S OF RO U N D I N G

19 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are available from the

Statistics View. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the web site which details

products to be released in the week ahead.

20 Details of wells and metres drilled in petroleum exploration are available from

Geoscience Australia's Oil and Gas Resources of Australia available at www.ga.gov.au.

AB S DA T A AV A I L A B L E

EL E C T R O N I C A L L Y


E X P L A N A T O R Y N O T E S continued

Are made up of the following minerals: copper, silver, lead-zinc, nickel and cobalt.Selected base metals

Is an intermediate form of tenure between the exploration licence and mining licenceallowing the holder of the exploration licence to retain title to the area for a limited time.It is designed to ensure the retention of rights pending the transition of a project fromthe exploration phase to the commercial mining phase.

Retention licence

Is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons. As oil or gas in solution(e.g. Liquid Petroleum Gas), it is widespread in Australian sedimentary rocks.

Petroleum

Includes all Australian territorial lands to the low water mark.Onshore

Commences from the low water mark to three nautical miles out (referred to as coastalwaters) under State and Northern Territory legislation and extends to those areasbeyond coastal waters governed by the Commonwealth under the Petroleum(Submerged Lands) Act 1967.

Offshore

Covers the commercial mining phase of a project for the licenced area. This licenceauthorises both full recovery and further exploration to occur.

Mining licence/lease

Are a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internalstructure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical properties.These, for example, comprise of metallic minerals, such as copper, silver, lead-zinc,nickel, cobalt, gold, iron ore, mineral sands, uranium and non-metallic minerals such ascoal, diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones and construction materials(e.g. gravel and sand).

Minerals

Is designed to cover the exploration phase of a project and confers exclusive rights tothe exploration for and recovery of samples from the area designated. These rights aregranted by relevant Commonwealth, State or Territory Governments.

Exploration licence/permit

Covers all expenditure (capitalised and non-capitalised) during the exploratory orevaluation stages in Australia, Australian waters, and the JPDA. Costs include cost ofexploration, determination of recoverable reserves, engineering and economic feasibilitystudies, procurement of finance, gaining access to reserves, construction of pilot plantsand all technical and administrative overheads directly associated with these functions.Examples are costs of satellite imagery, airborne and seismic surveys, use of geophysicaland other instruments, geochemical surveys and map preparation; licence fees, landaccess and legal costs; geologist inspections, chemical analysis and payments toemployees and contractors. Cash bids for offshore petroleum exploration permits arealso included.

Exploration expenditure

Activity involves searching for concentrations of naturally occurring solid, liquid orgaseous materials and includes new field wildcat and stratigraphical andextension/appraisal wells and mineral appraisals intended to delineate or greatly extendthe limits of known deposits by geological, geophysical, geochemical, drilling or othermethods. This includes drilling of boreholes, construction of shafts and adits primarilyfor exploration purposes but excludes activity of a developmental or production nature.Exploration for water is excluded.

Exploration

Phase usually following exploration where a prospective discovery (e.g. proven oil or gasfield or concentrate of ore) is brought into production or for extending the life of acurrent mine or well. Activities may include preparing the ground by the removal ofoverburden, constructing shafts, drives and winzes; or by drilling and completing wells.All activities are for the purposes of commencing extraction/mining or extendingproduction.

Development


G L O S S A R Y

Classifications used:Production lease – is an area on which development to extract coal, minerals,

liquids or gaseous materials is underway or where extraction/mining of thesesubstances is already occurring. See also mining licence/lease.

All other areas – are those areas outside the Production lease. These include areasunder exploration licence/permit or retention licence, as well as non-licencedareas being assessed for exploration, e.g. through airborne surveys.

Type of lease

Classification used:Drilling expenditure – includes wages and salaries paid to employees; purchase,

rental, hiring as well as operation and maintenance of drilling equipment togetherwith activities associated with accessing the areas where drilling is to occur (e.g.road creation, vessel/transport hiring, site preparation and restoration). Alsoincludes expenditure on drilling done by contractors.

Other expenditure – includes all other exploration costs, other than thoseassociated with drilling expenditure. This expenditure includes purchase of capitaland non-capital items, rental or hiring fees, service fees relating to surveying andanalysis, administrative and legal fees associated with obtaining licences/permits,land access, map preparation, feasibility studies, environmental impacts studiesand restoration costs.

Type of expenditure

Classification used:Existing deposits – Exploration that is delineating or proving up an existing deposit,

including extensions and infill, which has been classified as an Inferred MineralResource or higher.

New deposits – Exploration on previously unknown mineralisations or knownmineralisations yet to be classified as an Inferred Mineral Resource or higher. Theyinclude:

– Exploration resulting in finding mineralisation that was previously unknown.– Exploration on previously known mineralisation that has not been subjected

to modern exploration.– Exploration within an existing mining tenement for the purpose of finding

new sources of mineralisation that have not already been classified as at leastan Inferred Mineral Resource.

Type of deposit


G L O S S A R Y continued

www.abs.gov.auWEB ADDRESS

All statistics on the ABS website can be downloaded freeof charge.

F R E E A C C E S S T O S T A T I S T I C S

Client Services, ABS, GPO Box 796, Sydney NSW 2001POST

1300 135 211FAX

[email protected]

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Our consultants can help you access the full range ofinformation published by the ABS that is available free ofcharge from our website. Information tailored to yourneeds can also be requested as a 'user pays' service.Specialists are on hand to help you with analytical ormethodological advice.

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© Commonwealth of Australia 2011Produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics

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MINERAL AND PETROLEUM EXPLORATION...200 400 600 800 1000 Onshore Offshore PETROLEUM EXPLORATION, Original series In the September quarter 2011, the largest fall in petroleum exploration