The MSDP is aimed at both uncovering hidden mineral deposits in the eastern Gawler Craton Olympic copper-gold province, a district regarded as one of South Australia's key emerging mineral provinces, and at developing the new technologies required for ongoing, cost-effective, successful mineral exploration beneath barren cover.

The MSDP will trial several world-first technologies developed by DET CRC that aim to deliver real-time information and data analysis during a drilling programme.

The Wireless Sub will monitor drilling parameters enabling them to be analysed at the drill site and remotely in order to optimise drilling performance and maximise productivity. The AutoSonde will provide geophysical wireline log-type data on the nature of the rocks intersected in drill holes without separate mobilisation of a wireline logging crew or additional time requirements at the drill site.

The Lab-at-Rig will provide near real-time XRF geochemistry and XRD mineralogy on drill cuttings, allowing greater confidence in assessing the prospectivity of the drill core. All results will be able to be monitored remotely and permit ongoing analysis of the drilling programme, informing decisions such as whether to terminate or extend drill holes or whether to modify the location or trajectory of subsequent holes.

Richard Hillis, DET CRC's chief executive, commented: "The mineral explorers are testing new targets, the Geological Survey is mapping mineral systems beneath barren cover, the drillers are testing innovative new technologies and we are putting some invaluable kilometres on the clock of our new technologies."

The South Australian Government has backed the MSDP's approach to exploration with an investment of A$2 million (US$1.5) from PACE Frontiers that has been leveraged into a $7 million programme through partner contributions and in-kind support.