The Heavy Mineral Map of Australia: Vision and Pilot Project

We describe a vision for national-scale heavy mineral (HM) map generated through automated mineralogical identification and quantification of HMs contained in floodplain sediments from large catchments covering most Australia. The composition the reflects dominant rock types each catchment, with generally resistant largely preserving fingerprint their host protoliths weathering-transport-deposition cycle. Heavy presence/absence, absolute relative abundance, co-occurrence are metrics useful to map, discover interpret catchment lithotype(s), geodynamic setting, magmatism, metamorphic grade, alteration and/or mineralization. Underpinning this is pilot project, focusing on subset national sediment sample archive, which used demonstrate feasibility larger, project. preview bespoke, cloud-based network analysis (MNA) tool visualize, explore relationships between as well them geological settings or deposits. envisage that Mineral Map Australia MNA will contribute significantly prospectivity modeling, particularly technology critical elements minerals, central global economy transitioning more sustainable, lower carbon energy model.