News Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative database updated to over 25,000 samples

A major update has been delivered to the Critical Minerals in Ores database and portal, increasing the available online high quality multielement geochemistry of mineralised ore samples from 7,300 to over 25,000.

The Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI), run by Geoscience Australia, the United States Geological Survey and the Geological Survey of Canada, have introduced a formal process that will enable any organisation to contribute new multi element geochemistry of ore samples.

The Critical Minerals in Ores database will now be able to significantly improve the representation of previously underrepresented mineral deposit groups, such as by-product minerals, which are be vital for high tech applications needed for the energy transition.

A by-product mineral is a secondary mineral that is produced or recovered incidentally during the extraction and processing of a primary mineral or metal.

Modern technologies such as solar panels, electric vehicle motors and batteries rely on critical minerals like cobalt, tellurium, and germanium, which are often the by-products of mining primary minerals like copper, gold, and zinc.

Despite their need, by-product minerals are not considered “material” to the economics of resource extraction. Mining and smelting companies are not obligated to report on grades or transactions, and many are often not captured in the refining process.

Due to these practices, it is unclear whether the by-product is exported with the concentrates or discarded with tailings.

Consequently, a knowledge gap exists regarding the potential reserves of vital critical mineral resources.

Recognising this gap, CMMI initially released the Critical Minerals in Ores database and portal in 2021 and has since worked to build on providing consistent geochemical data from global ore deposit samples to better understand and model where critical minerals occur.

Explore the CMMI portal here: https://portal.ga.gov.au/persona/cmmi