The Global Geochemical Database for Critical Metals in Black Shales (CMIBS) contains new geochemical data compilations for fine-grained sedimentary rocks in which each geologic material sample has one 'best value' determination for each analyzed species, greatly improving speed and efficiency of use (Granitto and others, 2013). The CMIBS was created and designed to compile and integrate geochemical data from seven continents in order to facilitate petrologic studies, mineral resource assessments and mineral exploration, definition of geochemical baseline values and statistics, environmental impact assessments, paleobiological studies and paleoenvironmental trends through Earth history. and studies in human health and environmental geochemistry. The primary goal was to compile geochemical data for stratigraphic rock sequences containing dominantly fine-grained clastic rocks with appreciable organic carbon (>0.5 weight percent), collectively termed and referred to herein as 'black shale facies samples' but comprised of all fine-grained clastic rocks such as argillite, mudstone, claystone, and their low-medium grade metamorphic equivalent