A Standard Metadata Template for Representing Mineral Spectral Reference Samples

This dataset contains a standard template for representing the metadata of mineral spectral reference specimens in the CSIRO Mineral Resources Discovery program. The template includes core properties of samples such as their name, identifier, type, and location, as well as associated metadata such as project, hazard declaration and physical storage. \nThe template will be used to catalogue reference samples used for mineral spectral analysis (NVCL). It has been developed iteratively, revised, and improved based on feedback from researchers and lab technicians. This standardized template can prevent duplicate sample metadata entry and lower metadata redundancy, thereby improving the program's physical sample curation and discovery.\nLineage: This template was built on the CMR rock metadata template (https://doi.org/10.25919/2prf-dk88).\nThe template includes a readme section summarising all the metadata fields, including their requirements and definitions. The template incorporates several established controlled terms representing, e.g., sample type, mineral type, EPSG and hazard information to ensure consistency in metadata entry. The template also contains few metadata fields that are specific to mineral spectra samples like different analysis conducted for the samples (XRD, Whole-rock geochemical analysis, etc).