Mineral Resources Tasmania’s Core Library to undergo first major upgrade in thirty years

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The Tasmanian Government is investing $2.4 million to expand the geotechnical testing capabilities of the Mineral Resources Tasmania Core Library at Mornington.

The upgraded Library will combine laboratory facilities, currently spread across two sites, and provide an upgraded and expanded state-of-the-art facility for geoscientific and analytical functions, as well as an up-to-date interface for Mineral Resources Tasmania’s engagement with industry.

The upgrade will be carried out by Tasmanian construction company Fairbrother and is expected to be completed by mid-2021.

Tasmania’s Resources Minister Guy Barnett described the announcement as ‘a significant investment’ in a sector that supports more than 5,100 direct job, contributes more than 51% of the state’s exports, and produces product with a value of more than $2 billion each year.

Adertisement

“When our resources sector is strong, our economy thrives, and that is why we are making a significant investment into the scientific capability available right here in Tasmania,” the Minister said.

“This is the first major upgrade since the Library was first opened some thirty years ago. The Core Library already stores more than 770 kilometres of drill core and around 70,000 rock samples from across the state.

“This facility is a vital resource for our mining, exploration, research and education, and broader industrial sectors, and the upgrade will make it more efficient, effective and accessible to industry.

“This upgrade will play a significant role in realising our mineral potential and supports our collaborative efforts in working with industry through our existing scientific and exploration support packages.”

Image credit: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/