Requesting access to samples
All drillcore and other geological samples stored in the Perth Core Library and Joe Lord Core Library in Kalgoorlie are owned and managed by the Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA). Industry stakeholders and members of the public are welcome to inspect drillcore and other geological samples.
You can view mineral drillhole availability by using GeoVIEW.WA. Select the plus "+" sign next to the Drillholes layer, then select the 'Core Library Drillholes' layer. Blue indicates mineral drillholes stored in Kalgoorlie, red indicates mineral drillholes stored in Perth.
You can view WA State petroleum well sample availability using WAPIMS and request access using the request form. For Commonwealth well sample materials stored at the Perth Core Library under NOPDCR agreement, please use NOPIMS to view availability of material.
To make a booking to view the core, contact us through to the email address on the right-hand side of this page. Once a request to view drillcore or other geological samples has been approved the sample will be made available at an agreed date and time.
Rules for sampling drillcore
Sampling drillcore is permitted on a case-by-case basis. The rules listed below will apply.
- Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) funded core is only available to sample after it is has been HyLogged by us.
- Sampling quarter core intervals is preferred.
- At least quarter core remains available after sampling.
- Sampling for metallurgical test work will not be permitted.
- Unless specific permission is otherwise granted, a maximum quarter core length of 15 cm for fine-grained (e.g. basalt, shale) rocks, and 25 cm for medium- to coarse-grained (e.g. typical granite/gabbro, sandstone) or texturally inhomogeneous (e.g. porphyritic, brecciated) rocks can be taken.
- Sample lengths for thin sections should be no more than 5 cm. All thin sections should be polished thin sections (25 x 48 mm polished thin sections with no cover slips).
- Sampling will not be approved if the same intervals have been sampled previously for the same style of investigations.
- Certain reference core or “type” section core can be viewed but not sampled
- Where sampling is approved, extraction of samples will be performed by departmental personnel at an agreed time.
Any variation to these rules must be approved in writing by the Director Geoscience or Director Resource Security, Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA).
Rules for sampling drill cuttings
Sampling of cuttings is permitted on a case-by-case basis. The rules listed below will apply.
- Unless specific permission is otherwise granted, samples from ditch cuttings are not to exceed 10g and must leave 50g remaining.
- Samples from cuttings must be representative of the total sample. Selective sampling of particular lithologies is not permitted.
- Where sampling is approved, extraction of samples will be performed by departmental personnel at an agreed time.
Any variation to these rules must be approved in writing by the Director Geoscience or Director Resource Security, Geological Survey of Western Australia (GSWA).
pXRF and pXRD analyses
The Perth Core Library offers complimentary services to analyse core and chip samples from the department’s collection using portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) and X-Ray Diffractometry (pXRD) instruments.
The XRF service uses a hand-held Olympus Vanta M Series analyser to measure elemental compositions of geological samples, from Mg to U, and from parts per million (ppm) to 100%. This service is currently available at the Perth Core Library and the Joe Lord Core Library in Kalgoorlie.
The XRD service employs an Olympus BTX-II benchtop diffractometer to identify minerals in <1 g powdered geological samples and is only available at the Perth Core Library.
Email requests for pXRF or pXRD analyses to the email address on the right-hand side of this page.
- Requests are limited to 50 analyses for pXRF, and one analysis for pXRD.
- For approved requests, the applicant will be issued with an approval number and a sample ID/agreement form.
- Analyses will be performed by departmental personnel.
- XRF data will be delivered in an Excel spreadsheet and XRD results will be delivered as raw data files and a table with interpreted mineralogy.
- All information will generally be released to open file as soon as practicable (a short period of confidentiality may be negotiated).
Reporting of sampling and analysis results
Requirements to submit sampling and analysis results to GSWA.
- All analysis report and data must be provided to GSWA as specified in the sampling conditions within 6 months of the sampling taking place, unless otherwise granted by DEMIRS.
- All unused material and derivative material (slides, mounts, etc.) must be returned to DEMIRS within 6 months of the sampling taking place, unless otherwise granted by the department.
- Results from the analysis will be made public 6 months from the date of sampling, unless otherwise granted by the department.
- An individual, and the project (and associated team members) and the institution to which they belong will be refused sampling on any current or future projects if results of previous sampling have not been received in an acceptable format within the prescribed 6-month period. What GSWA considers acceptable in terms of geochronological and geochemical data (including analytical procedures, prescribed range of elements and reporting of metadata) is clearly set out in the sampling agreement form that you have signed.
Please acknowledge GSWA as the source of materials in any publishing data arising from the use of GSWA samples.
