The National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) is a collaborative infrastructure project with AuScope, an institution that promotes the use of innovative infrastructure to produce and deliver geoscientific data. The purpose of the NVCL is to improve our understanding of the geology of the uppermost 2 km of the continent's crust.
The Geological Survey of NSW (GSNSW) has a NVCL node at the W B Clarke Geoscience Centre, Londonderry, NSW. The NVCL project uses the CSIRO-developed HyLogger™ drillcore scanning system for imaging and acquiring spectral information about rock, ore and alteration minerals in drillcore, chips and pulps. The images and data are archived within the NVCL so that mineral explorers and researchers can view and download them via the internet. The node has its own portable X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence instruments for supporting NVCL projects and validating HyLogging data.
The work program is guided by exploration industry requests and research priorities of the GSNSW. The exploration industry has shown strong interest and several companies are collaborating with the project. A drillcore imaging and spectroscopic scanning service is available to industry.
Project update
NSW NVCL Drillcore Status
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As of July 2018, 384 drillholes have been scanned, equivalent to 110 km of core. The AuScope Discovery and AusGIN Geoscience portals will continue to be populated throughout 2018-19 with high resolution hyperspectral data and corresponding photo-logs of scanned drillcore. To date, 315 drillhole datasets are available for download from the portals.
During 2018, a total of 8 km of core from mineral deposits and prospects within the Cobar Basin is being scanned with the HyLogger™ to help understand the metamorphic and alteration mineralogy associated with mineralisation in the region. Commonwealth (NCRIS2) funds are being used to transport this core from the Cobar region to the core library in Londonderry.
- AuScope Discovery Portal
- AusGIN Geoscience Portal
- Drillcore scanning services - HyLoggerTM
- About AuScope and the NVCL
- NVCL Demonstrator
For further information please email david.tilley@planning.nsw.gov.au.