Mineral deposits of NSW

Reticulated cerussite

The Geological Survey of NSW studies the nature and distribution of the Earth's naturally occurring mineral commodities (such as gold, copper, clay, limestone, or construction materials) and presents this information in the form of metallogenic maps, reports and databases.

Mineral resource mapping identifies and evaluates the state's mineral resources, to provide data on mineralisation and mineral resource potential for the mining and exploration industry and for landuse assessment.

Numerous metallogenic maps and notes covering the exposed basement areas of NSW have been published. They are available for sale with the exception of the Warwick-Tweed Heads sheet, which is currently being prepared as a joint project with the Geological Survey of Queensland. Interim data is available as an unpublished report.

Information on mineral deposits and occurrences is now stored in a corporate mineral deposit database named MetIndEx. This database has been developed by combining data from the earlier METMIN and INDMIN metallics and industrial minerals databases. MetIndEx contains over 29,000 records and is being progressively upgraded. Information from MetIndEx will be supplied via the MinView application on the internet.

• Metallogenic explanatory notes
• Metallogenic maps
• Mineral commodities of NSW
• Mineral exploration highlights
• Minerals project map

Mineral Systems of NSW Project

The Mineral Systems of NSW Project (MinSysNSW) aims to identify and document the key mineral systems in the state. The project builds on the work undertaken in the metallogenic mapping program which documented more than 20,000 mineral deposits and occurrences covering all of the state's major basement outcrop areas.

The project will provide:

• statewide synthesis and integration;
• systematic classification of deposits; and
• recognition of large mineral systems at a regional scale.

It will:

• include all mineral commodities (except for coal and petroleum);
• identify knowledge gaps and new mineral opportunities;
• utilise 30 years of metallogenic mapping information and the MetIndEx database;
• value add through collaborative partnerships; and
• undertake special projects in areas including New England Orogen, Lachlan Orogen, Broken Hill region and the Murray Basin.

The project will identify occurrences that formed as part of the same mineralising event and/or as part of the same mineral system. The project will also identify gaps in key geoscientific data for NSW mineral systems in order to target these for future data acquisition. MinSysNSW will also add a new dimension to the existing MetIndEx database by providing additional details on the age, style and extent of individual mineral systems.

Information from the Mineral Systems project will feed into land use planning advice such as the State Resource Audit conducted by the Land Use Assessment team.

Key areas of research within MinSysNSW will focus on the Ordovician Cu-Au porphyries of the Macquarie Arc, and Sn-W mineralisation in the Lachlan and New England orogens. A priority will be mineral system dating so that the distribution of mineralisation in time and space across the state can be better understood.

A Mineral Systems Classification scheme has been developed and is published in Quarterly Notes 128.

Commodity reviews of metallic and industrial minerals are also being progressively undertaken, with a focus on new mineral opportunities for New South Wales.

• Mineral Systems in New South Wales - Poster (see details in QN128)

For more information, please contact the Minerals and Land Use Group.

(Last updated on 24/02/2009)