AuScope National Virtual Core Library
The HyLogger™ drill core scanning device
The AuScope National Virtual Core Library (NVCL) is a collaborative federal and state government program aimed at using CSIRO HyLogger™ spectroscopic drill core scanning technology to generate digital information on rock, ore and alteration minerals in drill core. The technology will also be applied to selective cores from petroleum and geosequestration wells to maximise petrologic data extraction and establish direct correlation to porosity and permeability as well as source rock characteristics. It results from a successful application for $43 million of Commonwealth funds by the AuScope consortium under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS).
The NVCL project plans to facilitate research into Australian mineral systems through extensive hyperspectral logging and imaging of stored and new drill core. The end product is that mineral explorers and researchers will be able to access a virtual view of cores and their related spectral data over the internet before visiting the core facilities.
The program is guided by NSW Trade & Investment mineral, coal, petroleum and geosequestration exploration research priorities and industry requests. The exploration industry has shown strong interest and a number of companies are collaborating with the project. As of November 2010, over 25 000 metres of core, 248 bottom-of-hole RAB and RC samples and 269 hand samples were scanned. An agreement with the University of Western Sydney will allow access to X-ray diffractrometry analysis to provide validation to the HyLogger generated data.
The final phase of the project is underway and involves the delivery of digital assay data, high resolution hyperspectral data and corresponding photo-logs of drill holes to the community via a web-interface.
Completed drillcore scans against broad scale tectonic divisions of NSW
It is expected that the HyLogger™ will also be utilised at the EC Andrews Drill Core Facility at Broken Hill at subsequent times.
For further information please contact the Minerals Geoscience Team.
(Last updated on 08/05/2013)
HyLogger™ is a trademark of CSIRO, Australia.