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The NSW Government has taken a major step towards unlocking critical minerals and high-tech metals with a new mapping exercise of the state’s landmass, including investigations up to 50km below the surface.

Critical minerals and high-tech metals – such as copper and nickel – are key components in solar panels, EV batteries, wind turbines and other products. These metals are crucial to the energy transition to help put downwards pressure on both emissions and power prices.

The demand for critical minerals from clean energy technologies alone – including many of those minerals found in NSW – will surpass $400 billion annually by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

Geospatial survey data is crucial in assisting minerals explorers to target their searches for potentially rich deposits of critical minerals and high-tech deposits.

The data is free and publicly available and represents a significant milestone in enhancing the understanding of the state’s geology. It will play a key role in unlocking new mining projects for decades into the future.

The geophysical survey campaign covered over one-sixth of the state. The survey data includes data captured across more than 148,000 square kilometres.

More than 8 aircraft over 18 months were used to collect the data.

This included using sound waves to delve up to 50 kilometres beneath the surface.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos yesterday launched the data in remarks to the NSW Minerals Council’s Exploration and Tenures Forum.

NSW will play a leading role in the future of natural resources in Australia, with:

• Deposits of 21 of the 31 nationally identified critical minerals, and
• Deposits or occurrences of all five minerals on the Commonwealth Government’s Strategic Minerals List.

Currently, there are more than 2,600 people directly employed in critical minerals and high-tech metals mines in the Central West of NSW, and another 1,260 in the Far West. A further 1,600 people are projected to be employed if currently proposed projects begin mining.

It deployed a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge survey methods, including airborne electromagnetic (AEM), airborne magnetic and radiometric (AMR), gravity, and deep crustal reflection seismic surveys to collect the data.

The NSW Government is currently reviewing its Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy to best position the state to take advantage of the opportunities these resources provide to the future of employment, industry and the net zero transition.

The NSW Government has invested $7.7 million in the geophysical acquisition campaign.

Key highlights include:

• The Forbes to Dubbo AEM Survey will unearth invaluable insights into the geological characteristics of the area.
• The Cobar to Yathong Seismic Survey used sound waves to delve deep beneath the surface, the Cobar to Yathong area, reached depths of up to 50 kilometres within the Yathong–Ivanhoe Trough and Cobar Basin, from south of Cobar to Nyngan. This seismic survey will unveil crucial information about the geological structures present in the region including data on critical minerals used in advanced manufacturing.
• The Yathong AEM and AMR Surveys were instrumental in mapping the geology of this area. Essential data is available for mineral exploration and resource assessment.

These surveys map large areas of land with minimal disruption to the environment, to help better understand geology and possibly uncover groundwater aquifers.

Gathering survey data is non-invasive and uses seismic tools and aircraft to gather the data with minimal impact on regional communities.

The surveys were conducted in collaboration with Geoscience Australia and represent a significant milestone in enhancing the understanding of the state’s geological composition and structure.

The data can also be used by water resources scientists to investigate groundwater. While groundwater traditionally comes from river floodplains and springs, researchers have been looking for more water resources in aquifers or reservoirs with the aim of supporting regional communities.

The acquired data is now available in MinView which also contains all available public data in NSW, offering geoscientists, governments, explorers, and farmers a wealth of information to facilitate informed decision-making.

For more information visit the Resource Regulator website.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos:

“Critical minerals are crucial to the future of the global pathway to net zero and growing employment in regional NSW.

“The release of this data will help stimulate investment and make sure NSW continues to lead the exploration and development of critical minerals in Australia.

“These surveys are an important piece of the puzzle in developing our understanding of the state’s geological properties, and groundwater supplies. This is crucial information for farmers and regional communities.”

The NSW Government is today announcing a package of common-sense reforms to target possession of knives, particularly among young people, reduce knife crime and boost community safety.

The government will:

• Develop legislation modelled on Queensland’s Jack’s Law which will give police powers to “wand” or “scan” people for knives without a warrant in designated areas, including transport hubs, shopping centres and other crowded places:
  • these powers will be made available in circumstances where a relevant weapons offence/knife crime has occurred within the past 6 months
  • an authority can then be issued by police, enabling them to “wand” or “scan” people, and
  • the authority will last for 12 hours, with an option to extend as required.
• Make it illegal to sell knives to a child under the age of 18, with provisions for exemptions for retailers selling to young people who need a knife for their work or study.
• Increase penalties for people selling knives to young people under the age of 18.

The package of reforms will help address knife-related crime, get knives off streets and keep the community safer.

The new “wanding” laws will be based on Jack’s Law and adapted for the NSW context with details being finalised ahead of legislation to be introduced to parliament.

Their aim will be to keep the community safe, targeting areas where there have been increasing issues related to knife crime or knife possession offences, which could be on public transport or in nightlife, entertainment, or shopping precincts.

The reforms build upon responsible action taken by the NSW Government including:

• doubling of the maximum penalties for various knife related offences in 2023
• the review by the NSW Sentencing Council into of sentencing for firearms, knives, and other weapons offences
• ongoing high impact NSW Police operations such as “Operation Foil” – an ongoing, targeted operation which last ran from 11 to 13 April 2024. It targets knife crime and anti-social behaviour with 51 knives/weapons seized and 145 people charged with weapon-related offences. In the last year alone almost 4000 knives were seized in public places.

The reforms send a strong message about the seriousness of knife related violence and the NSW Government’s commitment to take immediate proactive steps to prevent future tragedies, while also addressing longer term challenges such as serious mental health issues and the broader incidence of violent crime.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“In recent weeks and months, we have all borne witness to the devastating outcomes of knife related violence.

“I know that many in our community have followed the devastating media coverage and heard the stories of victims and families – tragically there have been so many recent examples.

“Our communities are still in mourning, but it’s essential that we step up to take immediate action to send a clear message that NSW will simply not accept these kinds of crimes.

“Today we are announcing reform including legislation modelled on new powers for police to search and detect knives in public spaces, based on Queensland’s Jack’s Law, and a common-sense increase to the age limit for purchasing knives from 16 to 18 to make it harder for children to get access to these deadly weapons.”

Minister for the Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“This sends a strong signal that we are committed to tackling violent knife crime in our community.

“These reforms send a strong warning to would-be perpetrators.

“I want to thank Mr and Mrs Beasley and our colleagues in the Queensland Government for working with us to share their experiences and their knowledge in regard to Jack’s Law.

“No parent should go through what the Beasleys and many other families have gone through. No life should be cut short by violent crime.

“We’ll be looking at how these strategies work in a NSW context. Strategies that we know are making a difference in Queensland.

“These reforms will give police improved tools to quickly detect concealed knives and take action before a potential perpetrator has the chance to use them.

“These reforms are about keeping people safe. I want the community to have the confidence that this government is committed to giving the NSW Police Force all the tools required to combat violent crime.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“These changes increase police powers, toughen penalties and send a clear signal that it is not okay to carry a knife.

“There are too many young people who think it is okay to put a knife into their pocket to carry out their daily business. The worrying thing is that, if they are open to carrying it, then they are probably open to using it. We want people to stop carrying knives, to leave them at home and to stop using them.”

Australia and Palau are partnering together to expand connectivity in the Pacific with a new non-stop flight service between Brisbane, Australia and Koror, Palau.

The Palau Paradise Express, operated by Nauru Airlines, will be a direct flight between Australia and Palau and will help create new opportunities for regional tourism and trade.

This year Australia and Palau celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, building on decades of cooperation in the Blue Pacific.

This initiative will help deepen the warm bonds between our countries and peoples.

Together we are committed to achieving a stronger, more connected Pacific region through sustainable tourism, trade, and business links.

The new route provides yet another avenue for people and businesses to move between Australia and the North Pacific – complementing the ‘Island Hopper’ flight between Brisbane, Nauru, Tarawa, Majuro, Pohnpei and Koror.

The first Palau Paradise Express flight departs in May.

Nauru Airlines will operate the flight until 31 October 2024. Eligible Australian, Pacific, and Asian airlines will be invited to participate in a limited tender to operate the route through October 2025.

President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. President of the Republic of Palau:

“We are grateful for Australia’s strong partnership and efforts to promote tourism and trade, and to capitalize on government, business, and community linkages.

“The Australia-Pacific Partnerships for Aviation Program (P4A) has opened a new level of cooperation between Palau and Australia. Our combined efforts up to this point have laid the groundwork to realize new opportunities.

“This next phase with Nauru Airlines connects us to other nations within the South Pacific and Micronesia. We appreciate the chance to work with our Pacific family to find ways to ensure we prosper together.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia and Palau share common values and together we are delivering on our commitment to strengthening the Pacific.

“Thanks to President Whipps’ strong support, we can take this important step towards strengthening economic growth in the region.

“Australia has heard the calls from Pacific leaders for deeper connections and easier movement around the region, and is working to improve access, mobility, and migration opportunities.

“Through the P4A program, we are partnering with countries in the Pacific for a safer, more resilient and sustainable aviation sector.”