The collection was previously owned by Melbourne mineralogist Dr David Vince, and was built up privately over 55 years, including while he was working in China.

Among the specimens are rare-earth elements from Chinese locations in Inner Mongolia (areas now inaccessible to visitors), platinum-group metals from country Victoria and New South Wales, and gold telluride from Fiji.

In addition to providing rich, new content for the Museum’s Minerals Gallery, the acquisition is also crucial for the research community.

Ben McHenry, the Museum’s Senior Collections Manager in Earth Sciences, said the newly acquired David Vince collection would make the Museum “a key resource for critical minerals research in Australia”.

“Critical minerals – including rare-earth elements – are an exploration priority for the South Australian Government and of increasing economic importance,” McHenry said.

“Rare-earth elements are critical metals as they have wide use in electronics, magnets, and certain types of batteries.

“The 2019 Nobel Prize in chemistry for the development of lithium batteries also points to the growing importance of light metals – lithium, beryllium, and boron – for future energy storage solutions. The Vince collection features exceptional examples of these minerals from China and other locations.

“On a larger scale, the future of the mineral industry in South Australia will be shaped by the search for further Olympic Dam-scale copper deposits – mineral systems that also contain significant levels of rare-earth elements. The Vince collection provides us with excellent comparative material to aid in the search for these commodities in our state.”

A few standout specimens for Ben include “a collection of zeolite minerals from the Newer Volcanics basalts in Melbourne’s Bundoora – visually stunning – and, of course, the amazing Chinese critical minerals”.

South Australian Museum chief executive Dr David Gaimster said the acquisition was an exciting addition to the museum’s mineral collection, previously numbering over 35,000 specimens.

“The minerals collection has been built over the lifespan of the Museum’s 168 years through the assimilation of several similar private collections – and now, with the addition of the David Vince collection, our collection is recognised as being amongst the most preeminent in the museum world,” Dr Gaimster said.

“This acquisition represents an incredible opportunity for the Museum and the science of mineralogy in our state.”

In a letter to the Museum, collector David Vince thanked the Museum for providing his collection with a “new permanent home, where it can be cared for properly and the heritage and scientific value preserved”.

Ben McHenry will speak about some of the significant specimens from the David Vince collection at the Museum’s upcoming Night Lab: Shine Bright Like a Diamond event on 15 November. The Museum will also feature highlights from the collection in its permanent Minerals Gallery displays over the coming months.

- ENDS -

For more information or to organise an interview, please contact: 

Elle - Communications Lead

South Australian Museum

0466 389 019 | media@samuseum.sa.gov.au  

About the South Australian Museum

The South Australian Museum has been committed to making Australia’s natural and cultural heritage accessible, engaging and fun for over 165 years.

It is a place where families can learn and grow together. Today the Museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia and holds collections of national and international significance.