The best long-term approach to exploration involves the use of extensive
quality data and the integration of many different factors, methods and
techniques. The successful exploration manager needs to integrate people,
area selection and exploration methods, with the use of descriptive and
genetic geological models. Based on a syn-metamorphic genetic model
for Archaean gold, successful exploration in Western Australia requires
the integration of data on anomalous gold, alteration, lithology and
structure. Many other parameters such as geophysics, geochemistry and
regolith studies provide additional, indirect information that needs to be
integrated into the overall exploration programme. Timely access to
research findings and ability to integrate these into immediate exploration
has contributed considerably to the success of the gold industry in
Western Australia since 1980. Extensive and deeper drilling, and the
ability of computers to handle the volume of data generated have enabled
effective testing of many more geological targets.