Mr John Keeling
Assistant Director, Adelaide

Principal Geologist, Mineral Resources, PIRSA

PO Box 1671
Adelaide SA 5001
Tel: 08 8463 3135. Fax: 08 8226 3399.
Email: keeling.john@saugov.sa.gov.au

Alternate: Dr Rob Fitzpatrick,
CSIRO Land & Water,
Private Bag No. 2 Glen Osmond, SA 5064
Tel: (08) 8303 8511 FAX: (08) 8303 8550
Email: rob.fitzpatrick@csiro.au

Qualifications

• University of South Australia , B.App.Sc.
• University of Hull ( UK ), M.Sc. (Industrial Mineralogy)
• Diploma of Gemmology

Employment History

• Assistant Director, Adelaide , CRC LEME (2001-)
• ILUA Negotiation Team, Attorney General's Department SA (1999-2001)
• Principal geologist and co-project leader CSIRO-MESA collaborative research (1989-1999)
• Senior geologist, Mineral Exploration Division, Mines and Energy, SA (1980-1989)
• Geologist, Technical Information Services, Mines and Energy, SA (1972-1980)

Research Interests

John's research interests are mainly in the area of industrial mineralogy in particular fine-grained mineral phases, especially clay minerals, and techniques for their identification, characterisation and modification. This work has included studies on hydrothermal and weathering systems, use of infrared techniques, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. In LEME research projects, this experience has been applied to the use of airborne spectral techniques in locating weathered kimberlite, mapping alteration minerals associated with hydrothermal vein systems and their modification by weathering, and using secondary minerals to trace metal mobility through weathered and transported regolith.

A trip to China in 1994 at the invitation of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering to review research on clay mineral modification developed an ongoing interest in Chinese research. This has continued in LEME with recent collaborative research negotiated with Guilin University on development of electro-chemical techniques for geochemical surveys for mineralisation under cover.

Selected publications

Keeling, J.L., 1992. Ceramic and refractory raw materials in South Australia . In: Bannister, M.J. (Ed), Ceramics adding the value. Proceedings of the International Ceramic Conference , Australia 1992, Vol.1: 90-95.

Keeling, J.L., Self, P.G., McClure, S.G., Raven, M.D. and Milnes, A.R., 1992. Characterisation of kaolin samples from the Mount Hope Deposit. South Australia . Mines and Energy Review 158 : 21-26.

Keeling, J.L, 1993. Microbial influence in the growth of alluvial gold from Watts Gully, South Australia . South Australia , Quarterly Geological Notes 126: 12-19.

Janik, L.J. and Keeling, J.L., 1993. FT-IR partial least-squares analysis of tubular halloysite in kaolin samples from the Mount Hope Kaolin Deposit. Clay Minerals 28: 365-378.

Townsend, I.J. and Keeling, J.L., 1993. Opal mining in Australia . In: Woodcock, J.T. and Hamilton , J.K. (eds) Australasian mining and metallurgy. The Sir Maurice Mawby Memorial Volume 2nd ed. The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Monograph 19: 1472-1476.

Keeling, J.L., 1993. Deep kaolinization in amphibolite-grade metamorphics, Adelaide Hills, sedimentary kaolin at Golden Grove. Field Guide for pre- and post-conference 1 day Tours F.3a and F.3b . 10th International Clay Conference, Adelaide , South Australia , July 1993.

Keeling, J.L., 1994. Bacterioform gold - evidence of biochemical accumulation of gold in Australian placer deposits. Geological Society Australia Abstracts v 37 : 209.

Jackson , N.J. , Keeling, J.L ., and Chapman, B. 1994. Mission to China 16-31 May 1994. Report on research and use of activated clays: discussion on topics proposed for potential collaboration. Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Melbourne , 23pp.

Janik, L.J. and Keeling, J.L., 1996. Quantitative determination of halloysite using FT-IR PLS analysis and its application to the characterisation of kaolins from north-western Eyre Peninsula . CSIRO - Division of Soils Divisional Report 129 .

Keeling, J.L. and Townsend, I.J., 1996. Dyed opalised sandstone and conglomerate - a new gem product from Andamooka. The Australian Gemmologist 19 (5): 226-231.

Keeling J.L., and Self, P.G., 1996. Garford Palaeochannel palygorskite. MESA Journal 1 : 20-23.

Churchman, G.J., Slade, P.G., Self, P.G., Keeling, J.L., Raven, M.D. and Kimber, R.W.L., 1996. Australian clays for the uptake of pollutants. Extended abstracts , First International Conference on Contaminants and the Soil Environment in the Australasia - Pacific Region, Adelaide, 18-23 February, 1996: 319-320.

Keeling J.L., 1997. Industrial Clays: meeting the challenge of increased technical demands and shifting markets. Proceedings The AusIMM Annual Conference, Ballarat , March 1997: 239-246.

Keeling, J.L., and Mauger, A.J., 1997. Use of a field portable IR analyser in delineation of commercial grades of magnesium-rich clay at Garford , South Australia . Proceedings of the 12th International Conference, Applied Geologic Remote Sensing , Denver , Colorado , USA , 17-19 November 1997, Vol 1: 29 -36.

Keeling, J.L. and Janik, L.J., 1997. NW Eyre Peninsula kaolin province - new analytical technique aids resource assessment. MESA Journal 4 : 14-15.

Keeling, J.L., 1998. Economic geology and mineralogy of Proterozoic magnesite deposits in the Willouran and northern Flinders Ranges , South Australia . Geological Society Australia , Abstracts No 49 : 238.

Keeling, J.L., Mauger, A.J., Horsfall, C. and Crettenden, P.P., 1998. Defining South Australian magnesite resources using high-resolution airborne spectrometry and survey-grade GPS. Proceedings 9 th Australasian Remote Sensing Photogrammetry Conference : Sydney, 1998, CDROM Vol 1, Paper 152.

Keeling, J.L. and Mauger, A.J., 1998. New airborne HyMap data aids assessment of magnesite resources. MESA Journal 11 : 7-11.

Keeling, J.L., Raven, M.D. and Gates, W.P., 2000. Geology and characterisation of two hydrothermal nontronites from weathered metamorphic rocks at the Uley Graphite Mine, South Australia . Clays and Clay Minerals 48 : 537-548.

Keeling, J.L. 2000. Uley graphite - a world-class resource. MESA Journal 18 : 6-11.

Keeling, J.L. and Mauger, A.J. 2000. Application of airborne hyperspectral (HyMap) data to map variation in carbonate facies in Proterozoic Skillogalee Dolomite, Willouran Ranges , South Australia . Proceedings 10 th Australian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference, Adelaide , 21-25 August 2000.

Keeling, J.L, 2000. Native title issues - progress sought through negotiated agreements. MESA Journal 19 : 26.

Keeling, J.L., Pain, A.M. and Beech, T.A., 2001. Gypsum in agriculture - quality standards in place as demand grows. MESA Journal 20 : 17-21.

Harvey , C.C. and Keeling, J.L., 2002. Categorization of industrial clays of Australia and New Zealand . Applied Clay Science 20 : 243-253.

Keeling, J.L., Mauger, A.J. and Huntington , J.F., 2004. Spectral core logger update - preliminary results from the Barns gold prospect. MESA Journal 33 : 32-36.

Keeling. J.L., Mauger, A.J., Stamoulis, V. and Morris, B.J., 2005. Role of airborne hyperspectral surveys in the search for diamonds in the Flinders Ranges . MESA Journal 39 : 30-33.