The Critical Mineral Analysis Project data set contains the analysis of a representative collection of the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) existing rock and analytical powder collections to support the exploration for critical minerals. Existing pulps and powders from whole rock igneous rocks and mine dump samples were submitted for geochemical analysis to ensure the application of modern analytical techniques with significantly improved precision, detection limits for an extended range of trace elements, including the full complement of rare earth elements. Suites of mineral and rock samples from the Economic Rock and Mineral Collection were also selected for analysis from a variety of deposits, deposit types and regions across NSW. These comprise mineralised rocks and drillcore billets, and aggregates of ore minerals.

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.

The Geochemistry (Whole Rock) data set contains information about the chemistry of rocks sampled in New South Wales and held by the Geological Survey of NSW (GSNSW). The data has been captured from analyses conducted by the GSNSW and from other work including academic research & collaborative projects, mineral exploration reports and geoscientific publications. The database contains geochemical analyses on nearly 27,000 rock samples which have been collected from field work and drilling activities which date back to the nineteenth century. There are also a small number of assay & hydro-geochemical results. It is an important dataset as the whole rock analysis of rocks for major and trace elements allows classification of the lithology of a rock and provides insight into the conditions in which the rocks formed as well as their economic potential.