Data

Clay-hosted rare earth element mineral potential maps of Australia

Geoscience Australia
McPherson, A. ; Ford, A. ; Walsh, J. ; Oborski, E. ; Cloutier, J. ; Senior, A.
Viewed: [[ro.stat.viewed]] Cited: [[ro.stat.cited]] Accessed: [[ro.stat.accessed]]
ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2FANDS&rft_id=info:doi10.26186/150835&rft.title=Clay-hosted rare earth element mineral potential maps of Australia&rft.identifier=10.26186/150835&rft.publisher=Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia)&rft.description=Maps showing clay-hosted rare earth element (clay-REE) mineral potential in Australia, generated by (1) a knowledge-driven weighted sum model (KDWS) and (2) a machine learning random forest (MLRF) model. The mineral potential maps are a synthesis of four component layers:    1. Source of metals, fluids and ligands (KDWS & RFML - subsets of the Layered Geology of Australia 1:1M and Alkaline Rocks Atlas of Australia; RFML additionally includes subset of Surface Geology of Australia 1:2.5M).    2. Energy sources and fluid flow drivers (KDWS & RFML - Revised Weathering Intensity Model of Australia - values 4.5-5.5; RFML additionally included the full national weathering intensity grid).    3. Fluid flow pathways and architecture (KDWS & RFML - Depth of regolith [regolith thickness] grid of Australia - vales 5-60 m inclusive).    4. Ore depositional gradients and traps (KDWS & RFML - Slope-relief classification of Australia - class 11 (lowest slope and relief landform pattern).The input maps and dataset representing mineral deposits and occurrences used to train and validate (KDWS) and train, test and validate (RFML) the models are provided. For clarity, the small number of documented 'transported' deposits (see accompanying GA Record) are not included in this analysis.These datasets are accompanied by an assessment criteria table which contains information on the mappable criteria applied. Model weightings applied to each mineral system component (KDWS) and random forest statistics (MLRF) are reported in the accompanying GA Record.The development of the maps is documented in GA Record 2026/12 (eCat 150834).Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlannedStatement: Mineral potential models developed for the first national-scale assessment of clay-hosted rare earth element mineral potential in Australia as part of the Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources (ADARER) project under the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub. Model input maps, training, testing and validation data, assessment criteria table and weightings plus random forest statistics developed during late 2025 and early 2026 are supplied along with the final output maps. The datasets are outputs related to the accompanying GA Record (eCat 150834) which documents the development of the models.&rft.creator=McPherson, A. &rft.creator=Ford, A. &rft.creator=Walsh, J. &rft.creator=Oborski, E. &rft.creator=Cloutier, J. &rft.creator=Senior, A. &rft.date=2026&rft.coverage=westlimit=112.00; southlimit=-44.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00; projection=GDA2020 / GA LCC (EPSG: 7845)&rft.coverage=westlimit=112.00; southlimit=-44.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00; projection=GDA2020 / GA LCC (EPSG: 7845)&rft_rights=Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/&rft_rights=© Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2026&rft_rights=Australian Government Security Classification System https://www.protectivesecurity.gov.au/pspf-annual-release&rft_subject=geoscientificInformation&rft_subject=rare earth elements&rft_subject=clay-hosted&rft_subject=mineral potential assessment&rft_subject=mineral potential mapping&rft_subject=critical minerals&rft_subject=Australia&rft_subject=regolith&rft_subject=Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub&rft_subject=Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources&rft_subject=ADARER&rft_subject=Resource geoscience&rft_subject=Published_External&rft.type=dataset&rft.language=English Access the data
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Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

© Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2026

Australian Government Security Classification System
https://www.protectivesecurity.gov.au/pspf-annual-release

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Full description

Maps showing clay-hosted rare earth element (clay-REE) mineral potential in Australia, generated by (1) a knowledge-driven weighted sum model (KDWS) and (2) a machine learning random forest (MLRF) model. 

The mineral potential maps are a synthesis of four component layers:
    1. Source of metals, fluids and ligands (KDWS & RFML - subsets of the Layered Geology of Australia 1:1M and Alkaline Rocks Atlas of Australia; RFML additionally includes subset of Surface Geology of Australia 1:2.5M).
    2. Energy sources and fluid flow drivers (KDWS & RFML - Revised Weathering Intensity Model of Australia - values 4.5-5.5; RFML additionally included the full national weathering intensity grid).
    3. Fluid flow pathways and architecture (KDWS & RFML - Depth of regolith [regolith thickness] grid of Australia - vales 5-60 m inclusive).
    4. Ore depositional gradients and traps (KDWS & RFML - Slope-relief classification of Australia - class 11 (lowest slope and relief landform pattern).

The input maps and dataset representing mineral deposits and occurrences used to train and validate (KDWS) and train, test and validate (RFML) the models are provided. 
For clarity, the small number of documented 'transported' deposits (see accompanying GA Record) are not included in this analysis.

These datasets are accompanied by an assessment criteria table which contains information on the mappable criteria applied. Model weightings applied to each mineral system component (KDWS) and random forest statistics (MLRF) are reported in the accompanying GA Record.

The development of the maps is documented in GA Record 2026/12 (eCat 150834).

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Maintenance and Update Frequency: notPlanned
Statement:
Mineral potential models developed for the first national-scale assessment of clay-hosted rare earth element mineral potential in 
Australia as part of the Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources (ADARER) project under the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development
 Hub. Model input maps, training, testing and validation data, assessment criteria table and weightings plus random forest statistics developed during late 2025 and early 2026 are supplied along with the final output maps. The datasets are outputs related to the accompanying GA Record (eCat 150834) which documents the development of the models.

Notes

Purpose
Mineral potential models for clay-hosted rare earth elements delivered as part of Geoscience Australia (GA) commitments under the Accelerating Development of Australia's Rare Earth Resources (ADARER) project; a collaborative research initiative led by ANSTO and involving CSIRO and GA. Funded by the Australian Government, the project aims to enhance Australia's capacity to discover, extract, and process rare earth elements (REEs), particularly from clay-hosted and ionic adsorption deposits, to support critical technologies and strengthen supply chains. The models are generated using publicly available datasets and open source code.

Created: 08 01 2026

Issued: 18 03 2026

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154,-9 154,-44 112,-44 112,-9 154,-9

133,-26.5

text: westlimit=112.00; southlimit=-44.00; eastlimit=154.00; northlimit=-9.00; projection=GDA2020 / GA LCC (EPSG: 7845)

Subjects
ADARER | Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources | Australia | Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub | Published_External | Resource geoscience | clay-hosted | critical minerals | geoscientificInformation | mineral potential assessment | mineral potential mapping | rare earth elements | regolith |

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Clay-hosted rare earth element mineral potential of Australia

local : 150834

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