Geoscience investigations by nature require the ability relate data across scales. For example, observations made from the meter to sub-micron scales may be used to understand geological processes over much greater length and time scales. An emerging challenge is the ability to collect accurate, precise and high resolution geochemical and mineralogical data at the hand specimen scale that allows: 1) data at the scale of typical human observation (e.g., visual logging of drill core); 2) robust down-sampling decisions that will make the most efficient use of more expensive analytical techniques and thus best leverage the data from them, and 3) provide a scaling step from micron-scale observations (e.g., SEM) back to those of a drill hole, deposit, or even regional scale. Within this context, and that of the growing need to integrate multiple data types within more expansive datasets, additional challenges are apparent regarding data accessibility and operability that will require a collaborative approach between instrument vendors, those who capture data, and end-users to solve. This poster will present how micro-XRF mapping data helps to bridge the gap in scale between large-scale characterization and focused fine-scale analysis, but equally and important, present discussion points regarding the challenges of data accessibility that limit overall utility in mineral deposit discovery and extraction.