Over 800,000 line kms of legacy seismic data exists onshore Australia, acquired since the 1960's for petroleum exploration, and more recently for deeper crustal studies. Much of the existing processing did not focus on imaging features of interest for mineral explorers. Reprocessing of relevant lines with a mineral exploration mindset is adding considerable new insights into the understanding of minerals systems. Reprocessing of key 2D seismic lines in the Paterson Province has provided much improved imaging of the NeoProterozoic Yeneena Basin, the Barnicarndy Graben basin margins and key structures. Key to obtaining the highest quality results, and thus maximising geological insight, is a strong geological input to focus and select appropriate processing algorithms - five different leading seismic processing companies were used and the project included strong collaboration throughout the processing workflow. The complex and long-lived structural history of the Anketell Fault is clear; including extension associated with the formation of the Barnicarndy Graben, and subsequent inversion. The newly processed seismic data also reveals a previously unknown west-dipping, high-angle reverse fault to the east of the Anketell Fault with an associated hanging-wall anticline. On the west side of the graben, the West Barnicarndy Fault does not show the same complexity as the Anketell Fault system, but does appear to have been reactivated with shallow faults potentially extending to the surface. Another important consideration for ongoing exploration programs is determining depth of cover. The reprocessed data clearly provides detail on this bedrock topography on both sides of the Barnicarndy Graben, and highlights localized areas of basement bedrock highs. The improved imaging of the basement also suggests the continuation of the regional structures below the Barnicarndy Graben.

Open-Access Online Publication: May 29, 2023