This paper outlines a scheme to identify the mineral systems of New South Wales and the processes that produce mineral deposits. Mineral deposit and mineral system studies have been carried out by the Geological Survey of New South Wales since its inception in 1875. These studies continue to be a major focus of its ongoing work program. The current study is called the Mineral Systems and Processes project. Its aim is to identify the state’s mineral resources and improve exploration success. In addition, it provides both a platform for discussion with explorers and a mechanism to review and to improve the interpretation of the available data.

By 2010 DPI Minerals is committed to identify, outline and advise the Department of Lands of areas within New South Wales with significant mineral potential. The areas identified will be used in a project to review land zoning in all local government areas in the state. While carrying out this work the geoscientists involved will need to review information relating to individual mineral occurrences and ‘mineral districts’. The aim is to identify occurrences that formed as part of the same mineralising event and/or as part of the same mineral system.

The Minerals project team has created a preliminary mineral system classification scheme for use in New South Wales, which is presented and described here to assist exploration. The mineral classes used to describe deposit types are well known and have been described in numerous papers. As an ongoing evaluation, data gaps will be identified and that information will be used to target areas for future data acquisition, research (e.g. isotopic and age dating studies) and to further enhance the New South Wales classification system.

This project will add a new dimension to the existing MetIndEx (metallic, industrial and exploration) mineral occurrence database by providing additional details on the age, style and extent of individual mineral systems. This will give explorers and those making landuse decisions a better picture of major mineralising events and those mineral deposit types that may occur within individual terranes.