Extensive aerial surveys using remote sensing techniques to discover and pinpoint areas of interest, called anomalies, are being conducted across the state by a number of exploration companies. Sensitive instruments suspended beneath helicopters and planes measure the gravitational attraction, magnetism and radiation of rocks at and beneath the surface. All involve the use of modern computer based technology to prove or disprove the existence of a prospective ore body. Final proving up the existence of a mineable orebody involves diamond drilling. Many exploration drill rigs operate in Tasmania.
Mineral processing takes place at several sites in Tasmania.
At the Comalco smelter, also near Georgetown, alumina produced from bauxite in Queensland is converted to aluminium metal. Downstream industries next to the Comalco site use the raw aluminium to produce such products as the aluminium powder used in explosives and in metallic paints. At Risdon near Hobart the Pasminco Smelter uses zinc mineral concentrates to produce zinc metal, with lead and cadmium as minor products. A by product of the process is sulphuric acid which is used on site to make farm fertilisers. At Railton, in Tasmania's central north, one of the world's largest deposits of limestone is mined to provide Goliath Cement with the raw material to make Portland cement.