A SEISMIC survey near Hillston may not dig up a gold mine but it’s certainly helping the town at a tough time.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Last week, 20 four-wheel-drive vehicles rolled into town, carrying a brigade of specialists to look for minerals and resources in the area.
The survey is being carried out at Mt Hope, 100km north of the Hillston township.
More than 40 personnel are staying in town each night and travelling out to the site daily to work.
The investigation is expected to take two weeks.
Kidman Way Motor Inn Hillston owner Karen Hewett said having so many visitors at once had given the town a real boost.
“It has been pretty quiet out here for the past six months –we’ve really been down on people coming through,” Mrs Hewett said.
“This group is staying at all the motels and caravan parks, they’re eating at the clubs and The Shed and they’re going up to the supermarket for supplies.
“If they find anything out there it will be even better.”
The survey is part of a $6 million investigation that will cover a total of 250km, looking 20km beneath the surface of the earth.
A spokeswoman from the NSW Department of Trade and Investment said the survey was intended as a research project and did not involve any exploration.
Some of the researchers sent to Hillston include representatives from NSW Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia.
“The government’s New Frontiers initiative, which has been operating in one form or another since 1994, contributes to a better understanding of the state’s geology and mineral potential,” the spokeswoman said.
“Results of the survey will be available towards the end of the year and will feed into a broader project which will provide a better understanding of our resources.”
Mt Hope was extensively mined more than 50 years ago but there has been little activity in the area since.
Carrathool Shire Council general manager Ken Croskell was optimistic about the new focus on the region.
“We look forward to seeing what they come up with,” Mr Croskell said.
“Anything that adds constructively to the development and potential economic viability of the area will be welcomed.”
