The Minns Labor Government has taken an ultrasound of the Earth's crust, and what it found could unlock the next generation of mineral discoveries across the state.
New geological data from the Lachlan Fold Belt, released today as part of NSW Minerals Week, delivers a major step forward in understanding one of Australia's most prospective regions for critical minerals and high-tech metals.
Preliminary results show that rock formations known to host copper and gold may sit closer to the surface than previously understood, while large fault systems linked to existing mining areas can be seen extending even further underground.
The survey has also identified underground rocks associated with minerals used in manufacturing and clean technologies. This includes tin, tungsten and molybdenum, as well as rock types linked to high-value metals such as scandium, nickel, cobalt and platinum.
These critical minerals are essential for modern life. Cobalt and nickel go into the batteries that power electric vehicles. Tin and tungsten are essential to everyday electronics. Finding them in NSW means finding them in a stable jurisdiction with the ability to get them to market.
The seismic survey was conducted over two geographical lines extending 420 kilometres across the Lachlan Fold Belt, including the longest continuous seismic line ever acquired in NSW.
Also released this week is the foundation of a Petrophysical Atlas of NSW, giving explorers access to vital rock property data including magnetic properties, conductivity, resistivity and density. Developed through the assessment of more than 1,200 core samples over four months, the atlas will make high-quality exploration data more accessible to industry, researchers and the broader geoscience community.
The releases coincide with NSW Minerals Week, which has seen hundreds of investors and explorers attend events including Exploration in the House, the Exploration and Tenures Forum and the Sydney Resources Round Up.
Both form an important part of the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024-35, including a royalty deferral to support new critical minerals projects moving to production and a co-funded exploration program for explorers, researchers and industry partners.
The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring that as global demand for critical minerals grows, the benefits are felt across the communities that depend on a strong and sustainable resources sector.
Mineral royalty revenue for 2025-26 is forecast to reach approximately $302 million, up from $250 million the previous year, funding the roads, schools, hospitals and transport that communities rely on.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos:
"Mining has a long history in NSW and it will continue to play an important role in our economy, particularly as global demand for critical minerals continues to grow.
"By releasing high quality geoscience data this NSW Minerals Week, the Minns Labor Government is partnering with industry to reduce exploration risk and give investors greater confidence.
"Critical minerals are essential for modern manufacturing, clean energy technologies and advanced industries. Finding and developing them in NSW means producing them in a stable jurisdiction with clear rules and strong environmental and regulatory standards.
"Royalties from our mining sector fund the roads, health services and community infrastructure that regional NSW depends on. Supporting exploration today means supporting those communities for years to come."
