A new global mineral chemistry database is set to help researchers, governments and industry better understand how critical minerals occur, supporting exploration, resource assessment and future supply.
The Critical Minerals in Ores – Mineral Chemistry database, known as CMiO-MIN, has been developed through the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative (CMMI), an international partnership between Geoscience Australia, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Geological Survey of Canada.
The database adds approximately 13,000 data points from ore-related mineral samples collected from deposits around the world. The data is publicly available in a standardised format through the CMMI portal, bringing together compositional data from mineralised core intervals, surface samples and mine waste materials.
Geoscience Australia’s chief of the mineral, energy and groundwater division, Dr Andrew Heap, said the release demonstrated the value of international collaboration in making high-quality geoscience data more accessible.
“Critical minerals are a global priority, and improving access to consistent, trusted data is an important part of supporting future discovery and supply,” Heap said.
CMiO-MIN builds on the existing Critical Minerals in Ores database by linking chemistry data with sample characteristics and deposit classifications.
The database is intended to help users investigate the geological processes associated with critical mineral processing, as well as strengthen research, analysis and mineral potential modelling.
USGS associate director for geology, energy and minerals, Dr Sarah Ryker, said the database built on the knowledge shared through the partner agencies.
“The geological surveys’ science has even greater impact when we pool and share our knowledge with the world,” Ryker said.
“The original CMiO global database already helps users better understand critical mineral potential in over 60 countries. CMiO-MIN will take that foundation farther, sharpening research insights and accelerating evaluation of the world’s future resource options.”
Organisations can contribute additional mineral chemistry data through the submission template available via the CMMI portal and Geoscience Australia’s Data and Publications Catalogue.