Quirindi Shire Geological and Mineral Resource Factors for the Local Environmental Plan

Abstract

The geology of deposit Shire is subdivided into two major regions separated by the Hunter-Mooki Thrust West of the Thrust, extensive Quaternary soil and alluvial deposit tc overlie -flat--lying Tertiary voicanics and flat--lying Tr:Lassic and Jurassic sediments of the Gunnedah and Surat Basins East of the thrust flat-lying Tertiary volcanics and minor intrusives overlie and intrude weakly metamorphosed and gently folded, Early Carboniferous to Early Permian sediments and volcanics Mi ri nq/extracti ye I nclustry i. ri the Shire is presently limited to the supply of construction materials for local use. Several localities offer future potential for limited production of limestone or marble, and one for product i on of emery. A considerable area of the Shire has potential for 200llte mining and is currently under investigation by both this Department and Industry. Substantial areas of the Shire west of the Hunter-Mooki Thrust offer moderate potential for coal and petroleum, and there is currently a high level of exploration activity.