We must embrace technology!

Find of the century uncovered near Cloncurry

A potential clean energy basin has been discovered in one of the world's richest mineral resource regions in north-west Queensland.

Premier Bligh said the newly discovered "Millungera Basin" could hold geothermal, or hot rocks, energy potential to rival that of the Copper Basin on the South Australian border.

Geothermal energy is produced from heat generated and captured from deep inside the earth and could mean cheaper energy for Queensland households in a carbon constrained future.

The underground resource, which geologist found using cutting edge new technology, could also hold huge amounts of low emission coal seam gas.

The Premier said the discovery, about 100 kilometres east of Cloncurry, was one of the most exciting resource finds this century.

"The discovery of a new, untapped basin of this size is rare anywhere in the world," said the Premier.

"For one to be found here, in the heart of north west Queensland, is truly am azing.

"It is possible that this basin could hold clean energy sources that could provide low emissions power for the entire North West region."

The Millungera Basin is around 300 kilometres long and between forty to fifty kilometres wide. The age of the rocks could be up to 540 million years old.

Government geologists say the discovery until now was masked by a younger, thinner Carpentaria Basin where the rocks are only around 140 million years old.

The Millungera Basin was uncovered through the State Government's Smart Mining and Smart Exploration programs in collaboration with the federal government's Onshore Energy Security initiative.

New technology used in the programs meant that geologists could carry out deep seismic surveys to "see" up to sixty kilometres below the surface.

"Other rocks of this age in other basins have significant coal seam gas and water resources and the granites uncovered signal the potential for new sources of geothermal energy," said the Premier.

"A new energy source for the North West Minerals Province is important to the future development of the region. The added bonus of a potential new water source would be the icing on the cake," she added.

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said his Department planned to conduct further surveys in the area to better define the size, shape and depth of the basin.

"There are also plans to drill a number of relatively shallow holes to measure the geothermal potential," Mr Wilson said.

"We will shortly consider which blocks of land could be released for tender for geothermal and gas exploration.

"Any significant mineral or energy resource discovered here will be of huge benefit to the North West Mineral Province and to nearby towns like Cloncurry and Julia Creek," Mr Wilson said.

Premier Bligh said the geothermal energy exploration was part of the government's focus on finding cle an energy sources for Queensland.

"One of my first actions as Premier was to establish a nation leading centre of excellence to ensure Queensland is best placed to take advantage of this emerging 'hot rocks' energy source," she said.

"Geothermal energy has the potential to generate one fifth of Australia's total electricity needs over the next 25 years without producing any carbon dioxide emissions."

Ms Bligh said she would insure the State continued to invest in a clean energy future for Queensland.

"This government has invested over $140 million in solar and geothermal energy initiatives and that level of investment in a clean energy future will continue. "