Cutting-edge scientific processes have found 28 current and historic mine sites that could have critical minerals and high-tech metal deposits hidden inside their old waste.

For mines that have closed, these results could mean new opportunities for production, bringing more jobs and investment opportunities to those communities across regional NSW.

The Geological Survey of NSW’s Mine Reuse Project collected more than 1,200 samples.

These specimens were then run through the latest sampling techniques and underwent high-precision chemical analysis to identify critical minerals.

This uncovered elevated concentrations of 11 critical minerals and high-tech metals, including copper, cobalt, silver and antimony. Historic mines where sampling occurred include CSA in the Central West, Queen Bee, Great Cobar and Nymagee in the Far West, Endeavour Elura and Endeavour McKinnons in the Central West, and Hillgrove in the Northern Tablelands.

Current mines where researchers were looking for additional materials include Peak Gold Mine and Tritton near Cobar, RASP and Southern Operations near Broken Hill, and Stratford in the Upper Hunter.

The Mine Reuse Project also identified existing discoveries from the reprocessing of waste and tailings. This includes gold from historic tailings at the Mineral Hill mine in the Central West, and tin from Ardlethan mine site in the Riverina.

Results from the survey are being released this week as part of NSW Minerals Week, further highlighting NSW’s status as a global leader in exploration and mining of critical minerals.

Critical minerals and high-tech metals are crucial for clean energy technologies, such as electric vehicles, solar panels, wind turbines, along with aerospace applications. The International Energy Agency estimates that, over the next 20 years, the global economy requires six times the current amount of critical minerals to reach net-zero carbon emissions.

NSW Minerals Week provides an opportunity for government, industry and regional communities to celebrate the contribution that mining makes to the state.

Data from Geological Survey projects are used extensively by the industry to guide explorers and miners and assist them in identifying new opportunities for critical minerals mines. Providing free, pre-competitive data helps de-risk projects and draws investment to NSW.

The release of data from projects like this helps focus explorers and miners on the best opportunities for development and could see an increase on the 190 critical minerals exploration titles already being pursued across NSW.

This latest data release is part of the Government’s continued focus on delivering the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024-35. It builds on the extensive investments made by the Government to date, including: 

• a $2.5 million co-investment fund for critical minerals explorers;
• a $250 million royalty deferral initiative for new critical minerals projects;
• the provision of world-class and targeted precompetitive geoscientific data, including the recent commencement of the Central Lachlan Seismic Survey around Euabalong to Bathurst and Nyngan to Gilgandra.

The work for the Mine Reuse Project was undertaken in collaboration between the Geological Survey of NSW with the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland and Geoscience Australia.

The Mine Reuse Project data can be accessed at https://www.resources.nsw.gov.au/geological-survey/projects/mine-reuse-project.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said, “The release of this data reinforces that NSW really is the state to be for explorers looking to find the next big critical minerals project.

“As key ingredients in our solar panels, wind turbines, EVs and batteries, critical minerals and high-tech metals are integral to our economic future.

“This release of data is an important part of our critical minerals strategy. This pre-competitive data helps to minimise investment risk in exploration and identify new opportunities.

“We know how important mining is to communities across the state. More exploration means more jobs and more investment in regional NSW.

“It’s also a good reminder of the important work done by the Geological Survey of NSW as we celebrate its 150th year. The agency has made a remarkable contribution to the mining, exploration and geology sectors in NSW.”

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee said, “This initiative recognises the ongoing growth in global demand for many of the valuable mineral commodities we have here in NSW.

“It also highlights the need for more mine approvals in NSW so we can play our role in meeting this global demand while also delivering economic benefits to regional communities.”

Chief Geoscientist and head of the Geological Survey of NSW, Dr Phil Blevin said, “The Mine Reuse Project is a direct outcome of the government’s commitment to a Critical Mineral and High-Tech Metals Strategy that drives investment and innovation in the exploration and mining sector through the provision of world-class and targeted precompetitive geoscience.

“There is a significant multiplier effect in the provision of this data, and it helps drive exploration and innovation. The results of the Mine Reuse Project is just another example of this.”