Funding from the Western Australian Government has led to a ‘breakthrough’ by geologists which could potentially unlock a modern-day ‘gold rush’ in the state.
The Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA) has identified a distinctive chemical fingerprint that indicates where gold is most likely to be found.
GSWA analysed thousands of geological samples identifying chemical signatures most closely linked to the formation of gold-rich mineral systems, particularly those formed by ancient intrusions of molten rock deep beneath the surface.
Gold was bred in one of the most violent corners of the universe – space – during a process known as supernova nucleosynthesis which occurs when a star explodes.
As reported by Mining.com.au, this supernova process does not just create gold, as coin and bullion dealer Chards reports, the process manufactures half of the elements in the periodic table including platinum and uranium.
fingerprint to focus
The Western Australian Government says this latest discovery is a “major” step forward for mineral exploration on a global scale. Explorers can now use this fingerprint to focus on highly prospective ground, reducing costs, lowering risk and increasing the likelihood of discovery.
Using the new fingerprint, GSWA has located high-potential targets within the Yilgarn Craton, which is one of the oldest and most mineral-rich geological provinces on Earth, according to the state government.
GSWA is helping reframe how explorers assess known areas by comparing industry drillhole data with its enhanced geochemical model.
Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the government created the new Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration to boost the state’s resources sector, sharpen its focus on exploration and to secure future mineral discoveries.
“GSWA’s identification of these chemical fingerprints will undoubtedly have global impacts for geochemical data usage, reinforcing Western Australia’s position at the forefront of geoscientific research,” Michael says.
“Our ongoing investment in mineral exploration is creating jobs and delivering lasting benefits to regional communities across the state.”
Data from S&P Global shows that only 26 new gold discoveries occurred in the decade to 2023 – while there were no new discoveries in 2023. Overall, 2.9 billion ounces of gold have been discovered across 320 deposits since 1990.
This data is closely linked to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) which shows mineral exploration fell by 2.4%, totalling $933 million, during the March 2025 quarter, as reported.
Gold expenditure totalled $314.3 million in Q4 2024, in comparison to $283.6 million in Q1 2025.
In terms of discoveries, ABS reports new deposits exploration also decreased by 20.2%. In Q4 2024, expenditure on new deposits totalled $269.3 million compared to $214.9 million in Q1 2025.
Many of the world’s largest and most productive gold deposits are located within intrusion-related gold systems. These form when mineral-rich fluids, released from cooling magma deep underground concentrate and deposit gold over time.
In addition to gold, intrusions can also contain elevated levels of pathfinder elements. Pathfinder elements are trace minerals that signal the presence of gold, such as tellurium and bismuth.
GSWA’s Geoscience Data Transformation Program has already made more than 10 terabytes of new exploration data publicly available, with more than 30 terabytes to come in 2026.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: NASA, World Gold Council & ABC Bullion
