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MrJeffrey Steadman

Senior Research Fellow

CODES ARC

Orcid identifier0000-0003-4679-3643 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Research Fellow
    CODES ARC
  • +61 3 6226 2547 (Fax)
  • +61 3 6226 5554 (Work)
  • School of Natural Sciences, CODES ARC, 111 Physics Building, Sandy Bay Campus, TAS

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Expertise

Geology
Mineralogy
Petrology
LA-ICPMS analytical techniques

Research Themes

Jeff's research falls under the University's research theme of Environment, Resources and Sustainability. His current project aims to equip the mining and metals industry with better targeting tools for 'hard-to-find' orebodies (i.e., those under surficial cover, a common issue in mainland Australia). Over the last few decades, new discoveries of gold, copper, and zinc resources have declined, and the grade of known ore which is being mined continues to decline as well. To mitigate these looming issues and improve the sustainability of mining, new or re-vamped methods of exploration are needed to help geologists locate and mine those resources which are either not known or known but currently uneconomical to develop. One such method of exploration is using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) to record and characterize the variations in trace element contents of hydrothermal minerals. A key focus of Jeff's current and previous research is the trace element contents of pyrite (FeS2), the most common sulphide in Earth's crust. Because of its ubiquity, robust hardness (6/10 on the Mohs scale), and resistance to weathering, pyrite is an excellent candidate to use as a guide in mineral exploration. Pyrite crystals record hydrothermal fluid activity by scavenging certain trace metals (e.g., Co, Ni, As, Te, Cu, Hg, and Au) from the fluid and growing a new layer with each fluid pulse, in an analogous fashion to tree rings marking seasonal growth. As the concentration of these metals is commonly too low for normal assay techniques, the LA-ICPMS system is the preferred method for ascertaining not only which elements are present in a given pyrite but how much (down to ppb, or parts per billion, levels) of each element is there, and where it is located in the crystal.

Through multiple case studies, Jeff's research demonstrates the value of pyrite geochemistry as a must-have tool for any serious explorer.

Collaboration

Jeff has collaborated with researchers from the University of Western Australia to map variations in S isotope compositions of various sulphides associated with ore deposits, in an analogous form to the trace element mapping that he and his colleagues have done and continue to do at CODES using LA-ICPMS technology. He has also collaborated with researchers at Curtin University in Perth, WA, on dating Archean black shales using Re-Os techniques on carbonaceous matter.

Current projects

Iron Oxide Copper-Gold deposits: Geochemistry and Geometallurgy
AMIRA P1249 - Exploring, characterising, and optimising complex orebodies – Integrated deposit knowledge to add value across the Mining Value Chain
Geochemistry and geochronology of Tennant Creek, Rover, and East Tennant IOCG systems

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Characterization of sulfide chemistry and texture in the Deflector district, Murchison Province, Western Australia
    Vault Minerals1 Mar 2025 - 1 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $49,999; Significant gold deposits often form through multiple stages of fluid infiltration, involving both mineralized and unmineralised hydrothermal solutions. Pyrite geochemistry, analysed using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), has proven effective in identifying these multi-stage enrichment processes. This technique provides a comprehensive geochemical record. Observations suggest that multi-stage processes may be essential for the formation of large deposits. For example, a 209g/t Au 2% Cu sample from the Da Vinci Lode at Deflector, analysed by LA-ICPMS in 2019, revealed multiple mineralization events: an early Au + Tellurides stage followed by a late-stage Cu + Au + Pb + Zn overprint. Deflector exhibits characteristics of various mineralisation styles, including orogenic gold, porphyry copper-gold, IOCG, and VHMS. Current interpretations suggest that mineralisation was initiated by an orogenic gold event and subsequently enhanced by multiple phases of intrusion-derived hydrothermal fluids. These fluids introduced or remobilised metals, overprinting and upgrading the initial mineralisation. The Deflector total mineral resource estimate is 2.7Mt @ 8.5g/t Au and 0.6% Cu, equating to 745koz Au and 15Kt Cu. A proposed study of pyrite geochemistry in diamond core samples from active targets within the Deflector district aims to identify those with multiple stages of enrichment and, consequently, the potential for significant deposits. Primary objectives: Identify and describe individual phases of mineralisation and associated pathfinder concentrations for each target.Define the style of mineralisation based on element associations. Compare and contrast mineralisation events to the primary Deflector deposit. Rank the targets based on significance of mineralisation events. The outcomes of this study hold significant implications. The presence or absence of multiple gold events can differentiate between smaller deposits with single-stage ore genesis and larger, more complex deposits with multi-stage enrichment and greater gold potential. Funded by: Vault Minerals ($50,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineral chemistry of Isa North project, NW Queensland
    1 Jan 2025 - 30 Mar 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $40,000; The textures and trace element profiles of pyrite and magnetite, together with chlorite, epidote, and apatite, can yield valuable information about the fertility of a given area, as well as provide proximity indicators to targets, as has been demonstrated in previous studies within the Mt Isa Inlier and elsewhere. This research collaboration will utilize drill core from recent and historic drill programs to characterize the petrography and trace element signature of these key hydrothermal minerals in the Isa North project area to better understand the type and nature of copper-gold mineralization in this region. Funded by: Strategic Energy Resources ($40,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineralogy and geochemistry of the Canobie project, Mt Isa Inlier, NW Queensland
    1 Jan 2025 - 30 Mar 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $60,000; The Canobie domain, in the eastern Mt Isa Inlier, is considered the most productive section of the Cloncurry district, primarily due to the location of the world-class Ernest Henry iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) in the southern portion of the domain. However, despite numerous exploration campaigns over the last 30 years, no additional resources rivalling Ernest Henry in size have been discovered. Moreover, in addition to the Canobie domain's high prospectivity for Ernest Henry-like copper and gold resources, there are indications that critical minerals may be present in economic amounts - especially nickel and the platinum-group elements (PGEs). This project will investigate the mineralogy and geochemistry of the Canobie domain with the aim of helping explorers in the domain refine their target search area to the most favorable zones. Expected outcomes are an increased understanding of the geology of the Canobie domain, leading ultimately to new discoveries of base, precious, and critical metal resources. Funded by: Strategic Energy Resources ($60,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineral chemistry and event chronology of the Tennant Creek, East Tennant, and Rover iron oxide coppergold districts, Northern Territory
    1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $105,000; Hematite and chlorite are the most widespread hydrothermal alteration minerals in the Tennant Creek iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) district of the Northern Territory, which is one of Australias most important gold, copper, and bismuth producing areas. However, despite their ubiquity, relatively little is understood about the trace metal inventory of hematite and chlorite in and around the numerous IOCG deposits of the region. This project will focus primarily on defining the trace element character of hematite and chlorite at multiple key locations across the entire Tennant Creek district, including historic mines and recently discovered deposits. The newly identified East Tennant region, located approximately halfway between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa, QLD, will also be included in this study. The primary goal of the project will be to establish a trace element geochemistry library of hematite and chlorite compositions across Tennant Creek and East Tennant. This library can then be used as a guide for explorers in these two areas who wish to know whether the hematite and chlorite they have sampled from their tenements is likely barren or fertile, and how close they may be to an economic system. In addition, hematites potential as a U-Pb geochronometer has been demonstrated in other IOCG districts, such as the Olympic province of South Australia, but not has not been well-tested at Tennant Creek. A secondary goal will be to identify which hematite generations are the most likely to be associated with economic mineralization based on their U-Pb ages. Funded by: Emmerson Resources Limited ($45,000); Northern Territory Geological Survey ($60,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Geochemical Characterization of the Federation deposit, Cobar basin, NSW
    Aurelia Metals1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $21,762; This project aims to characterize the geochemical fingerprint of Zn-Pb-Au mineralization at the soon-to-be opened Federation deposit, Cobar district, NSW. Samples will be provided by Aurelia Metals and will be analyzed at the University of Tasmania. Whole-rock mineral inventories will be created for each sample utilizing scanning electron microscopy tools at the Central Science Laboratory, and individual minerals will be analyzed for trace element characteristics via LA-ICPMS at the CODES Analytical Facilities. Specific research questions that will be addressed include: * What is the geochemical signature of the Federation system? * Where is the gold located, and what mineral(s) is it most associated with? * Can specific minerals (e.g., pyrite) be used as exploration tools in the Federation area to target new zones of ore? Funded by: Aurelia Metals ($21,762); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Iron oxide copper-gold deposits: Geochemistry and Geometallurgy
    Department of Energy and Mining South Australia1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J,
    • Danyushevsky L,
    • Escolme A,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $643,333; Demand for Cu continues to increase as governments and corporations around the world increasingly invest in non-carbon-based forms of energy and transportation, such as wind turbines and electric vehicles. This places greater pressure on mining companies to find new Tier 1 resources. Mining companies that explore for Cu and other base or precious metals are increasing spending on deeper drilling campaigns targeted by ever more sophisticated geochemical, geophysical, and geostatistical techniques. However, new discoveries of Tier 1 Cu resources are occurring less frequently today than in previous generations, and the increase in exploration expenditure has not led to a direct increase in the number of discoveries (Fig. 1). Funded by: Department of Energy and Mining South Australia ($60,000); Department of Resources Qld ($133,333); Mount Isa Mines ($120,000); Oz Minerals Limited ($80,000); Evolution Mining ($60,000); Red Metal Limited ($60,000); Georgina Resources Pty Ltd ($60,000); BHP Billiton Ltd ($40,000); Department of State Growth (Tas) ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineral chemistry research proposal for Battery Minerals
    Battery Minerals Ltd.1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Steadman J,
    • Goemann K
    Project Total: $18,504; This proposed research will study pyrite geochemistry to determine the genesis of the pyrite in auriferous siltstone from the Cox's Find prospect in western Victoria and to investigate the gold deportment in the siltstone Sample will be provided by Battery Minerals and will be analysed at the University of Tasmania. Specific research questions that will be addressed are: Within gold-bearing samples from the deposit: o what is the mineralisation history of the deposit? o where is the gold? What form is it in? What mineral is it associated with? o Can pyrite chemistry be useful for mineral exploration in the Stawell area in western Victoria? Funded by: Battery Minerals Ltd. ($18,504); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Temporal Controls Project, Exploring for the Future Program
    Geoscience Australia1 Jan 2022 - 30 Jun 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Armistead S,
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $376,364; The exact timing of mineralisation and ore deposits formation are difficult to constrain accurately, as these deposits tend to be affected by multiple episodes of deformation and crystallisation. New techniques currently being developed now make the dating of at least some of these deposits possible. This project will use these techniques to constrain the timing of mineral growth some of the most problematic deposit in Tasmania, eastern and northern Australia to better characterise existing deposit and help with exploration for new ore resources. Funded by: Geoscience Australia ($376,364); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Characterizing Pyrite Chemistry of Black Shales Hosting Stratiform Zn-Pb -Ag & Application to Mineral Exploration | Quantifying the link between changes in earth ocean chemistries to mass extinction..
    Ian Potter Foundation6 Dec 2019 - 31 Dec 2024
    People funded by this grant:
    • Mukherjee I,
    • Steadman J,
    • Large R,
    • Olin P
    Project Total: $605,000; This project involves analysing the chemistry of sedimentary pyrite in black shales through time to determine a) nutrient levels in past oceans and how this relates to evolution of life, and b) sedimentary basins that host zinc and copper deposits and development of vectors to assist exploration Funded by: Ian Potter Foundation - Grant-Science ($125,000); Rio Tinto Exploration ($60,000); Anglo American Exploration (Australia) ($60,000); Sandfire matsa ($60,000); First Quantum Minerals Ltd ($60,000); Teck Resources Ltd ($60,000); Mount Isa Mines ($60,000); Red Metal Limited ($60,000); Geological Survey of Queensland - a division of Department of Mines and Energy ($30,000); Geological Survey of South Australia - a Division of the Department of State Development ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Evaluating epidote and chlorite mineral chemistry in the Temora area, NSW
    Argent Minerals Limited1 Jan 2019 - 30 Apr 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $50,000; Epidote and chlorite are important alteration minerals in porphyry and epithermal environments that record the chemistry of hydrothermal ore-forming fluids. This project aims to utilize chlorite and epidote trace element geochemistry to help locate potential Cu-Au-Mo porphyry targets in the Temora area, NSW. Funded by: Argent Minerals Limited ($25,000); Department of Industry, Innovation and Science ($25,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Ore deposits and Tectonics of SE Australia: Freeport-McMoRan
    Freeport McMoRan1 Jan 2019 - 1 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Steadman J,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $30,000; This project will test and improve the techniques developed by the ARC-funded Linkage project LP160100483 (Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia). Both the existing Linkage and this new project aim to identify prospective areas for hydrothermal ore deposits in SE Australia through combining mineral chemistry with large-scale plate tectonic reconstructions. The existing Linkage project has acquired a large amount of geochronological and geochemical data on approximately 1500 samples throughout the Lachlan Orogen and developed a new prospectivity model for SE Australia using G-plates software. This new project will extend the data collection and fund a new phase of modelling that will benefit both the existing Linkage project Partners and Freeport-McMoRan. Funded by: Freeport McMoRan ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineral Geochemistry Vectoring uncovering North West Queensland's hidden potential
    Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines1 Jan 2018 - 30 Jun 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J,
    • Cooke D,
    • Cloutier J,
    • Barker S
    Project Total: $1,168,600; The Paleo- to Mesoproterozoic Mount Isa district, Northwest Queensland, anchors the Northwest Queensland Mineral Province, one of the preeminent mining districts of the world. Many of the mines of the Mount Isa district are approaching end-of-life scenarios, which could have a significant negative socio-economic impact on the region. Finding new resources and re-vitalizing the Northwest Queensland Mineral Province is therefore of paramount importance. Funded by: Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines ($1,168,600); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Pyrite and Phrrhotite as Ore Vectors and Stratigraphic Markers for Orogenic Gold, Carlin Gold, VHMS, IOCG, Sediment-Hosted Copper, and Stratiform Zinc targets
    Argent Minerals Limited1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J,
    • Belousov I,
    • Large R
    Project Total: $306,000; Funded by: Argent Minerals Limited ($51,000); Boliden AB ($51,000); Sandfire matsa ($51,000); Enterprise Metals Ltd ($51,000); Pioneer Resources Limited ($51,000); Intrepid Mines Limited ($51,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Peak Gold Project
    Drummond Gold Limited1 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2015
    People funded by this grant:
    • Large R,
    • Gregory D,
    • Steadman J,
    • Wu W
    Project Total: $37,970; This study will test whether the observations of high gold content in pyrite extends to other basins and, if so, whether this can be used to discover new ore deposits or new mining districts. This is a controversial project that is based on a new concept of the genesis of gold deposits recently published. The outcomes will aid the exploration community greatly as, if proven effective, it will yield a novel tool for early stage exploration target generation. Funded by: Drummond Gold Limited ($37,970); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    South Australia Pyrite, hematite and magnetite Fingerprint Database
    Geological Survey of South Australia - a Division of the Department of State Development1 Jan 2014 - 31 Dec 2017
    People funded by this grant:
    • Large R,
    • Meffre S,
    • Gregory D,
    • Steadman J
    Project Total: $204,000; The project aims to produce a database and associated interrogative software package that provides a chemical fingerprint for pyrite, hematite and magnetite of various mineral and ore associations in selected districts of the South Australia. CODES has pioneered quantitative trace element analyses and micro-mapping of pyrite and magnetite by LA-ICPMS, involving several AMIRA projects and multi-client projects with industry. The technique is now being applied in mineral exploration and mine feasibility studies by several mining and exploration companies. This project will apply the technique to fingerprinting the multi element composition of pyrite, hematite and magnetite in selected South Australian samples. Up to 1000 pyrite, hematite and magnetite analyses, will be taken from mineralised and barren rock types, with at least 35 trace elements (including Pb isotope ratios) measured and quantified per sample. The resultant database will enable fingerprinting of pyrite, hematite and magnetite from a range of ore deposits and barren environments within South Australia. Key elements in these three minerals will be developed as halo and vector tools. Exploration companies will be able to use the database, in conjunction with their own pyrite, hematite and magnetite data, to place priorities on pyrite, hematite and magnetite alteration and mineralisation intersected in exploration drill holes. Funded by: Geological Survey of South Australia - a Division of the Department of State Development ($204,000); University of Tasmania.