VPRS 19303 Assay Sample Books

This series comprises a register of samples received for assaying by the laboratories of Geological Survey Victoria (VA 4118) and the Mines Department (VA 612).  An assay is a chemical analysis used to determine the proportion of metallic (gold, silver, copper, etc.) or non- metallic (sulphur, phosphorus, etc.) elements in a sample. It is also used to determine the quality and purity of the ore or precious metal and identify pollutants or impurities. Geological samples were collected by individuals, businesses, or government departments from sites across Victoria, and included brown and black coal, quartz, tailings, bore water, mine air, rock, silt, and clay. Each entry records the assay sample number, the date the sample was received by the laboratory, the character and description of the sample, the name of the sample sender, the locality the sample came from and the date the laboratory report was forwarded to the Department.