Geological Maps at the 1:100 000 scale for all of NSW. This data has been synthesised into the 1:1 500 000 scale map of NSW, which forms the base layer of Minview.

Map blocks and map units are based on a system originally devised by the British Ordinance Survey. Each 1:1 million scale map sheet is subdivided into 3456 graticular map blocks, each measuring 5’ of latitude by 5’ of longitude. These map blocks are further subdivided into 25 1’ by 1’ map units. A map unit is approximately 3 square kilometres in size.

Pseudocolour image of the ratio between uranium and thorium within the upper 20 centimetres of the ground. This image was generated using normalised input grids to avoid ‘divide by zero’ errors. Cooler colours indicate lower abundances of uranium relative to thorium and warmer colours represent the opposite. Variations in U/Th ratio are caused varied mineral compositions in host rocks and soils. This statewide image was generated by merging many individual airborne radiometric surveys.

The Geological Survey of NSW developed a Seamless Geology of UTM Zone 56 during 2014 as part of a project to develop a seamless vector geology dataset of the best available geological mapping data covering the whole of NSW.The overarching aims of the Statewide Seamless Geology Project were to: (i) compile the different original scales, formats and rock unit naming conventions into a consistent, statewide format; (ii) edge-match the geology across existing map sheets; and (iii) interpret the basement geology under cover. The resulting geodatabase comprises a series of layers which include: (i) solid basement geology; (ii) cover rocks (defined as undeformed and unmetamorphosed); (iii) Mesozoic igneous rocks; and (iv) Cenozoic sedimentary and igneous rocks. The project was divided into 3 major stages corresponding to the UTM zones which divide New South Wales. This dataset includes the seamless geology layers from the NSW portion of UTM Zone 56 (ie.east of 150 degrees longitude to the coast).

This vector file contains the location of reprocessed surveys and their acquisition parameters. These reprocessed surveys are from airborne geophysical surveys that have been submitted to the NSW government by exploration and mining companies. They have been publicly released under the NSW Mining Act 1992.

AEM data has been acquired by the NSW government through NSW Exploration, Discovery 2000 and New Frontiers Initiative funding. Contained within this vector file is the location of AEMsurveys and acquisition parameters. The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at time of writing (February 2017). Because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date. The information contained in this publication may not be or may no longer be aligned with government policy nor does the publication indicate or imply government policy.

The NSW Mine Reuse project investigated the occurrence of critical metals in mining waste material. It involved a preliminary geochemical and mineralogical characterisation study across multiple metalliferous and coal sites on various waste material types, aiming to identify subsequent secondary prospectivity opportunities. The study was completed in collaboration between the Geological Survey of NSW, the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, Geoscience Australia and RMIT University. The program consisted of hand-auger drilling and sample collection from various waste sources, including tailings, waste rock, slags, coal rejects and fly ash. Each sample then underwent a 48-element geochemical analysis, with targeted mineralogy and mineral chemistry conducted on selected samples to better understand the distribution of elevated critical elements.

EM-IP-MT survey data has been reported to the NSW government and released under the requirements of the NSW Mining Act 1992. Contained within this vector file is the location of surveys and acquisition parameters.

The government will consider releasing a limited number of new areas for coal exploration under the Strategic Release Framework for Coal and Petroleum Exploration. Under this Framework, the government may refer an area to the Advisory Body for Strategic Release (ABSR). If a coal exploration licence is granted, an operator is not permitted to access the land unless they have an access arrangement in place with the landholder. Release of an area for exploration is not a guarantee of mining. An operator would still need to obtain development consent under the planning framework.

The Competitive Allocation Pathway is designed to maximise the value of a suitable unallocated coal resource through a competitive process. The Department of Regional NSW’s (Regional NSW) Guideline for the Competitive Allocation of Coal (December 2020) sets out when the Competitive Allocation Pathway applies.