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).

Mineral Resource Areas (MRAs) are areas where NSW local councils has been notified in accordance with Ministerial Direction 1.3 under Section 9.1(2) of the EP&A Act 1979. The direction requires councils to consult with DRNSW if proposed Local Environment Plans (LEPs including planning proposals and re-zonings) are likely to prohibit or restrict development of coal, petroleum, mineral and extractive resources. The direction requires the state government to notify local councils of the locations of current operations and resources of state or regional significance. MRAs should also be used when undertaking the compatibility test required in accordance with Clause 13 of the Mining SEPP. The test must be carried out for any proposed development in the vicinity of existing mines, quarries and petroleum production facilities or resources of state or regional significance.

Basement terrane age interpreted by Geognostics with support from government, academia and industry. Geological age of Basement terrane age is interpreted from a combination of geological and geophysical datasets. Basement terrane age is important in a Geothermal studies as older terranes have lower heat potential.

Gazetted Reserves which exclude mining and/or exploration operations. Specifically for use in the Lightning Ridge and White Cliffs areas.

The petrophysics dataset contains petrophysical (rock physical properties) data acquired by the Geological Survey of NSW. It stores measurements of samples and mapping sites collected under the Field Observations database, including from drillholes. It currently covers the following techniques: mass properties, electrical, radiometric, seismic rock physics, magnetic susceptibility and magnetic remanence. It contains raw readings and calculated results, from field and laboratory environments. Vector and tensor magnetic properties (remanence and anisotropic magnetic susceptibility (AMS)) are oriented to in-situ (geographic) and fold-corrected (stratigraphic) co-ordinates where sample and bedding orientation are known.

Seismic surveys acquired by NSW and Commonwealth Government Agencies and private companies.

AEM curtains are a set of cross-sections generated using geophysical inversion to convert AEM data to conductivity (m/S) versus depth below surface (m). These data represent the conductivity of soil and rocks to a depth of about 400 m. A pseudocolour-stretch has been applied to the data. Blue represents low conductivity values and red represents high values. The colours vary due to; (1) natural variations in the electrical properties of soils, rocks, minerals and groundwater, (2) man-made structures, radio-transmissions and lightning strike and (3) AEM system artefacts.

Please view Matthews and Sheldon (2024) for full description and instructions: Contact Sam at samuel.matthews@regional.nsw.gov.au if you have any difficulty accessing the paper.

Many airborne magnetic/radioelement surveys have been acquired by the NSW government through the NSW Exploration, Discovery 2000 and New Frontiers Initiative funding. Others have been acquired jointly with Geoscience Australia (formerly AGSO). Contained within this vector file are details on each of the surveys and some acquisition parameters, which will help locate survey data stored digitally. Not all of these surveys have both radioelement and magnetic data.Some project areas have grids that have been merged from private exploration company data (that are open file). These are attributed as "private" exploration company data in the shapefile. The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at time of writing (December 2016). 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.

This vector contains the boundary of the MinEx Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) Cobar Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) surveydivided into three areas. This division is based on the flight line spacing which varies from 2.5 to 5.0 km. This survey was a collaboration between the Geological Survey of NSW and Geoscience Australia.