b22042fa-942c-4844-9a52-f651d8d764c3 urn:uuid eng UTF-8 nonGeographicDataset nonGeographicDataset 2025-10-23T17:44:41 creation ISO 19115 2016 Quartz - The unsuspected critical mineral b22042fa-942c-4844-9a52-f651d8d764c3 High Purity Silica (HPS) is the principal raw material used for the production of silicon, which is, in turn, used to create products including semiconductors, solar cells and other technologies being developed to support the transition to a net zero economy. The mineral quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust, but the high purity form of quartz has preferred SiO2 content of over 99.995%, which makes it extremely uncommon. With growing demand for green technologies, there is a parallel increase in demand for the discovery of new high purity quartz deposits to supply the raw material. Geoscience Australia is addressing this demand by generating the first mineral systems model and accompanying national scale mineral potential map to help explorers accelerate discovery. Further, we are undertaking the first national scale sampling and analytical campaign to examine the impact of mineral systems on quartz purity and develop the Explorers’ Toolbox—an industry applicable, best practice guideline for the characterisation of potential HPS deposits.  {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[112.0, -44.0], [154.0, -44.0], [154.0, -9.0], [112.0, -9.0], [112.0, -44.0]]]} 112.0 154.0 -44.0 -9.0 Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub GEOLOGY High Purity Quartz High purity Silica Mineral potential Published_External Wednesday Seminars critical minerals mineral systems net zero Link to YouTube Video documentDigital Link to YouTube Video HTML