Abstract Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has had a profound effect in the discipline of geoanalysis since its commercial availability in 1983. In particular, the ability to determine precious metals, rare earth elements (REEs) and refractory elements such as Hf, Ta and W at their natural levels in geological materials has dramatically improved through the application of this highly sensitive, multielement technique. Its capability to measure individual isotopes has been directed mainly towards the Re-Os chronometer pair in ore genesis studies, and to a lesser extent to the quantitation of Pb isotope ratios. The impact of ICP-MS to date in exploration geochemistry is reviewed in this paper, together with a description of the instrumentation, the principles of the technique and the procedures suitable for its optimal use. As with every analytical technique, ICP-MS suffers from interferences; although the degree of spectral interference is lower than in ICP atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), the opposite is true in the case of matrix-induced effects. Its intolerance towards solutions containing high concentrations of dissolved solids (>0.2%) has fostered research into modes of sample introduction other than conventional nebulisation. Applications of alternate means of introduction based upon electrothermal vaporisation, laser ablation, slurry nebulisation and flow injection are discussed here. Waters are an ideal medium for analysis by ICP-MS, though there are as yet only a few studies examining the potential use of this sample type in geochemistry. As happened in the 1980s with the complementary technique of ICP-AES, the 1990s will see the establishment of ICP-MS as a rugged, efficient analytical tool in production-oriented laboratories together with continuing research into design improvements and new applications.