NSW: a high-purity silica hotspot

The latest geochemical analysis from the Geological Survey of NSW has shown promising prospects across the state for the mining of high-purity silica.

Results show to the Broken Hill, New England and Lachlan regions as being highly prospective for the exploration of this critical mineral used to produce silicon for high-tech products such as semiconductors, solar panels and specialty optical equipment.

The study identified silica in a wide number of different forms across the state – including granitic quartz pipes, pegmatites, hydrothermal quartz bodies and silica-rich sedimentary units — with purity levels that could be considered for use in high–purity silica applications, widening exploration opportunities and methods.

NSW remains underexplored for high-purity silica, and renewed exploration could locate new opportunities with the potential to supply global markets.

Geological Survey of NSW head and chief geoscientist Phil Blevin says archived materials from historical mines and drill core enabled the data findings.

“Some of these specimens are from mines that are no longer accessible,” he said.

“This gives us insight into critical minerals that in some cases had not even been identified at the times these mines were operating.

“Access to new and historical materials gives NSW a headstart in identifying critical mineral opportunities across the state.”

The WB Clarke Geoscience Centre and its world-class analytical tools and expertise played a huge role in the study. After receiving a $2m centre update, WB Clarke is now home to a world-first Hylogger 4, a tool allowing scientists better understand subsurface geology by capturing high-resolution images and detailed mineralogical information at a millimetre scale.

NSW Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos says the WB Clarke Geoscience Centre is an invaluable resource for the state.

“It has supported discoveries that have led to major operations like the Cadia gold mine, and it continues to provide the tools and data that industry leaders rely on,” she said.

The NSW Government has also announced that it will deliver more pre-competitive data to help explorers unlock the next big critical mineral to be discovered on NSW soil.

This would include the annual release of about 2000 new exploration and geoscientific data reports which provide detail on specific geological, geophysical and drill core data to support further exploration.

“NSW is rich in the critical minerals the world needs to power a clean energy future and support advanced technologies,” Minister Houssos said.

“It’s initiatives like these that provide precompetitive data and de-risk exploration, which are instrumental in making NSW a great place to invest.”