Northern Territory geoscientists began a detailed airborne geophysical survey of the Tiwi Islands last week to assess their mineral exploration potential.

Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) director Richard Brescianini says: "The survey is a great investment, greatly improving our geological understanding of the islands. The data will also assist exploration companies track down potential mineral resources, including mineral sands and diamonds.

"Already one mining operation is under way, through a partnership agreement with the Tiwi people, and I know the Tiwi Land Council believes that mining offers the Tiwi people a chance to reaffirm their responsible management of their land."

Richard Brescianini says the airborne magnetic and radiometric survey was being conducted as part of the Government's four-year Building the Territory's Resource Base investment attraction initiative.

The NTGS is using a light plane owned by Perth company, Fugro Airborne Surveys, to criss-cross the islands for three to four weeks at a height of about 80 metres.

"About 25,000km of magnetic and radiometric data will be acquired along north-south flight lines, spaced 400 metres apart. It will overlap on to the mainland, allowing the geology to be traced across the strait," Mr Brescianini says.

"The NTGS has surveyed 91% of the Territory in this fashion since 1981. A previous geophysical survey of the Tiwis was conducted in 1963 and we know that the islands' deeply buried rock formations are similar to the Pine Creek region, with potential for gold and base metals."

Images of data from the survey will be posted on the NTGS website http://www.nt.gov.au/dpifm/Minerals_Energy/Geoscience/   next month, with final release of data by the end of this year.