The Northern Territory Government’s flagship exploration event the Annual Geoscience Exploration Seminar (AGES). AGES was held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on 8 to 9 April 2025, attracting nearly 300 delegates with a record 44 booths at the Mining Expo.
The program will be packed with new geoscience from across the Territory from NTGS, Geoscience Australia, industry and our research partners. Highlights include the recent NT Geological Survey work driving a new wave of mineral discoveries in the Pine Creek region, as well as the resurgence of gold and copper exploration around Tennant Creek. Mineral exploration results from central Australia will also be showcased, along with insights into the Territory’s geological basins and their potential to host hydrocarbons, and metals such as copper and zinc.
University of Adelaide/NTGS/Industry/Australian Research Council Collaboration - Greater McArthur Basin Special Session Monday 7 April | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
The session included the latest research on the mineral and energy resource powerhouse that is the greater McArthur Basin from the wild west Birrindudu Basin through the Beetaloo Sub-basin to the Tomkinson Province, the McArthur Basin sensu stricto and the South Nicholson Basin. Presentations included how the basin formed, its tectonic geography and how the structure and water chemistry of the basin reveal what middle Proterozoic Australia was like! And perhaps more importantly, shed some light on why it contains so many resources. All extended abstracts are included in the AGES Conference Proceedings.
Department of Mining and Energy - Mining Development Branch Monday 7 April | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
The Department of Mining and Energy (DME) Mining Development Branch plays a key part in promoting and facilitating the development of the mining industry, a key pillar to the economic growth required to rebuild the Territory Economy.
The Mining Development Branch hosted a workshop to provide updates on current issues allowing an opportunity for industry stakeholders to discuss these issues with representatives from the Branch.
AGES 2024 was held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre from 16 to 17 April 2024, marking the 25th anniversary of the event. A record 330 participants attended the event
Latest results from the Territory Government’s expanded $9.5 million Resourcing the Territory program
Presentations on the Territory’s potential for critical minerals including lithium and rare earths
Emerging insights into for sediment-hosted copper and iron-oxide copper-gold potential across the Territory
Updates on the stratigraphy and minerals and energy potential of the Birrindudu Basin
The latest on shale gas exploration and appraisal in the Beetaloo Sub-basin
Multiple networking events over two days including the AGES Official Dinner
AGES 2023 video presentations
Watch Ian Scrimgeour's (NTGS) presentation on highlights from minerals and energy exploration in 2022. For more video presentations visit AGES 2023 page.
AGES 2021 was held at the Alice Springs Convention Centre on 20 and 21 April and was attended by over 260 participants from across Australia. This event was delivered in line with an approved COVID-19 event safety plan for the conference and workshop venues, taking into account the latest health guidelines at the time.
Discussion of the results of the East Tennant drilling program, which has already generated excitement around the emergence of a new undercover copper-gold exploration province.
Release of interpretation of the GA-NTGS Barkly seismic survey, providing the first view of basin architecture and structure beneath the Barkly Tableland.
Latest information on liquids-rich gas discoveries in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
New insights into copper, gold and lead-zinc potential of the undercover Rover mineral field.
Updates on recent exploration from Encounter Resources, Empire Energy, KGL Resources, Origin Energy, PNX Metals, Prodigy Gold, Core Lithium and Castile Resources.
Latest insights into the polymetallic mineral potential of the Aileron Province.
Announcement of the expansion and ongoing extension of the Resourcing the Territory initiative.
Updates on major geoscience programs underway across the Territory under the $26 million Resourcing the Territory initiative.
