NRS-15076 | Aeromagnetic reports (AM)

Full description

Aeromagnetic reports detail aeromagnetic surveys carried out to help determine the type, location, and depth of mineral deposits. The surveys are undertaken to obtain structural or lithographic information from airborne surveys using the secondary magnetic field reflected by magnetic minerals in the earth’s crust.

The reports may contain: data; radio altimeter records; magnetic records; plans and maps, including sections of flight and topographic maps. The reports usually include an interpretation of data collected during the survey or the report may be a review or reinterpretation of previous aeromagnetic survey data. The reports usually contain a conclusion and recommendations, for example whether to undertake further exploration such as gravity surveys.

The reports may also include applications for subsidies from the Commonwealth Government to conduct aeromagnetic studies, Directors Reports, summary and costing of exploration and mining activity, and a timetable for survey work. Some reports may contain a notice inserted into the reports to acknowledge a missing document.

Aeromagnetic Reports are part of the Geological Survey collection, a unique collection of unpublished reports on the results of exploration submitted to the then Department of Mineral Resources by companies and individuals as a consequence of exploration and mining licences being granted. The exploration reports are essential sources of information for explorers, and also add to the understanding of the State's geology, mineral, coal and petroleum resources. If the company is still engaged in mining activity or if mining licences are still active then reports may be confidential and unavailable.

Due to the high access rates for the Geological Survey Reports, the then Department of Mineral Resources undertook a copying program making digitised copies available on Geological Survey (DIGS). Interested parties can view published and unpublished exploration, mining and Departmental reports on-screen and these can be downloaded. The images have been slightly downgraded to minimise download times, however, higher quality images can be ordered from DIGS.


Custody History
The original reports comprising the Geological Survey collection were transferred from the Department of Mineral Resources to the State Records Authority between 1999 and 2001.

A Note concerning access to the Aeromagnetic reports
The original reports will not be issued to the public so those interested in accessing them should refer to the Geological Survey (DIGS) website where copies of non-confidential reports are available. The reports are indexed and can be searched by title, author, subject terms, tenement, location, map reference, report number, and report year. In addition to the reports being indexed, the various documents making up the report, such as contents page, text, maps, and photographs, are also indexed and therefore retrievable.