Tin-Tungsten-Flourine-Rubidium prospectivity maps

To support the Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, MRT is developing a series of statewide prospectivity maps using machine learning techniques to identify areas with high potential for critical minerals to meet current demand and a range of future uses. These maps will help industry focus on the most prospective areas, reducing time and costs, and will support government in strategic land-use planning where mineral potential may intersect with other land uses.

The modelling applies a mineral system approach, considering the large-scale processes that must coincide in space and time for a mineral deposit to form. These processes are represented by a suite of predictor maps, which are integrated using a Random Forest algorithm to generate prospectivity maps. Known deposits are used to determine how the maps are combined, with the largest deposits having the greatest influence over the model. The results are reviewed by the MRT Geological Survey team to ensure consistency with current geological understanding.

The first map of the series shows the potential for granite-related tin-tungsten-fluorine-rubidium mineralisation across the state. This system was prioritised due to its strong geological understanding and its association with some of Tasmania’s most significant critical and strategic mineral deposits, including Renison and Mount Bischoff.

Additional maps are in development, which will cover other critical mineral-bearing systems.

A report describing the methodology, along with a data package including the prospectivity map, is available for download from our documents database. Results can also be viewed via the MRT Map Viewer.