More than 200 local and international delegates are expected to attend a conference on the expanding opportunities for minerals and energy exploration in the Northern Territory.

Registrations are now open for the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES), which will be held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on 28 and 29 March 2017.

“AGES has a deserved reputation as the key technical forum and networking event for the Northern Territory’s exploration industry,” said Dr Ian Scrimgeour, Executive Director of the Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources.

“Now in its 18th consecutive year, AGES demonstrates the commitment of government and industry to  grow the Territory’s exciting resources sector and attract investment from Australian and international companies.

“If you are currently exploring, looking for exploration opportunities, or want to make contacts in the exploration sector, you need to attend the only event that draws all the NT’s minerals and energy explorers to one place,” Dr Scrimgeour said.

According to the Fraser Institute, the Territory remains underexplored and is one of the world’s top 10 most attractive regions for mining investment. New geoscience data and exploration results from across the Territory are highlighting exciting new areas of potential for a diverse range of commodities.

Key presentations and features of AGES 2017 are:

• technical updates from industry on successful exploration programs and new discoveries of gold, base metals, lithium, oil and gas, and more

• new geoscience results and concepts generated by NTGS and its partners under the Territory Government’s four-year, $23.8 million Creating Opportunities for Resource Exploration (CORE) initiative
  
  
• the discovery of a new pegmatite-hosted lithium field in the Bynoe area

• a greater McArthur Basin session that will highlight new geoscience datasets, exploration results and mineral system and petroleum studies

• information on new collaborative programs between NTGS and Geoscience Australia under the Commonwealth’s $100.5 million Exploring for the Future initiative

• practical information to assist with land access, titles and accessing geoscience data.

The Mining Services Expo is also part of AGES, and will showcase Northern Territory businesses and their capacity to support exploration and mining ventures.

Registrations to attend the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar can be made online via www.ages.nt.gov.au