Gold mineralisation in western Victoria: its setting, new discoveries and techniques applied to identify blind ore bodies

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Acknowledgements

Much of the work presented in this thematic issue would not have eventuated had we not had the support and vision of the late Ken Fletcher as Managing Director of Mining Project Investors Pty Ltd, David Burt the Exploration Director, Dean Fredericksen and Geoff McDermott as Chief Mine Geologists at Stawell. The level of researcher – company integration in the ARC and pmd * CRC projects is rarely achieved in the mining industry, and is testament to a new benchmark in collaborative research. This has spawned a formal Cooperative Research Agreement between Leviathan Resources and the universities of Ballarat, Curtin and Melbourne that not only supports geology but is also supporting environmental, metallurgical, mining, rehabilitation and social programs. It is a partnership with a shared vision where research initiatives and results will benefit Australia's mining industry and our community for many years to come.

Our work as guest editors has been made easy by thoughtful and insightful reviews by (in alphabetical order) Peter Betts, Tom Blenkinsop, Ross Cayley, Tony Crawford, Allison Dugdale, Kath Gray, David Giles, Kevin Hill, Roland Maas, Mark McLean, John McLellan, John Miller, Vince Morand, David Moore, Alison Ord, Neil Phillips, Hugh Rutter, Shanti Rajagopalan, Peter Schaubs, Phil Schmidt, Peter Sorjonen-Ward, Rick Squire, Fons VandenBerg and Clive Willman, all of whom kindly and promptly answered our request for reviews. Tony Cockbain is acknowledged for his enthusiastic response to our suggestion for a Stawell thematic set of papers, and for his ongoing support.

We thank the Australian Research Council, pmd * CRC and Leviathan Resources for in-kind and financial research support. All contributors to this issue acknowledge the major contribution made by the numerous on-site company staff from Stawell Gold Mines and especially thank every member of the Stawell geological team for their support. Carol Durant in particular is thanked for her capable and invaluable efforts in providing us with digital datasets.