VPRS 19143 Assay Reports

This series contains the reports of assaying undertaken 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 report includes details of who submitted the sample for examination, the location where sample was obtained (e.g. Parish, mine or general locality) and a description of the sample. This was followed by the Laboratory Report containing the findings and results of the chemical testing, such as amount of gold, silver or other ores contained in the sample, and of which a copy was sent to the initial submitter of the sample.  Assay sample testing was the responsibility of the Geological Survey of Victoria (VA 4118) and was undertaken by different public bodies over the period of this series. Reports of 1930-1933 were completed by the Geological Survey Laboratory, Mines Department (VA 612) before changing to the State Laboratories from 1932-1967. Reports from 1968 were completed by the Mines Department Chemical Branch until 1977 when the department was amalgamated with the Ministry of Fuel and Power in 1977 to become the Department of Minerals and Energy (VA 611). In 1983, the Chemical Branch of the Department of Mineral and Energy then amalgamated with other state chemical branches to form the State Chemistry Laboratory (VA 2829) within the Department of Agriculture (VA 618).