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1
Simmons, Nigel. "Qualitative systems applied to mineral exploration." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1989. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.328392.
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2
Cramer, Raymond Nicholas. "Microcomputer aided learning in mineral exploration." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/47390.
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3
Laletsang, Kebabonye. "Seismic exploration for metallic mineral deposits /." Internet access available to MUN users only, 2001. http://collections.mun.ca/u?/theses,27435.
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4
Wilson-Bahun, Tetevi. "An exploration-adjusted mineral occurrence model." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/185146.
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A mathematical model describing the probability for n mines or prospects occurring within an elementary unit (cell) of an area has been referred to as an occurrence model. Estimation of parameters of occurrence models has been plagued by the effect of area delineation on the parameters. Moreover, incompleteness of exploration creates a bias in parameter estimates. This study proposes that when the model is to describe the probability for occurrence of mines or prospects, the appropriate area is a metallogenic unit of mining district scale. Accordingly, this study examined the delineation of area by successive expansion of a polygon seeking that size of area which provides the best fitting of a truncated and effort-adjusted exponential model. However, estimation of occurrence model parameters was found to be sensitive to location of polygon on the cluster. Consequently, this approach was abandoned in favour of geologically-defined metallogenic units referred to as Intrinsic Samples. Truncated and effort adjusted occurrence models were fitted to Intrinsic Samples which included the mining districts of the Walker Lake Quadrangle of Nevada and California. The estimated model for each metallogenic unit is used to estimate the gold-silver metal endowment of the unit. This represents a departure from previous studies, e.g. Allais, in which a single parameter estimate from a control area is used to estimate the mineral endowment in all parts of a large study area. Furthermore, the study addresses the issue of economic truncation of occurrence data used in exponential model construction. Because a metallogenic unit is less than completely explored, estimated parameters based on observed occurrences provide a biased description of the number of occurrences present (i.e. endowment). The transition from sample to endowment (population) parameter is achieved by parameterizing the exponential model for a metallogenic unit on exploration effort deployed in a unit area. Thus, fitting the model to observed data and evaluating it at infinite effort yields the model for gold and silver metal endowment in a metallogenic unit.
5
Pachas, Pérez Diego. "Mining Exploration in Peru: A Brief Scope on the Main Authorizations for the Development of an Exploration Project in Peru." Derecho & Sociedad, 2015. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/118585.
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The purpose of the author in this article is to outline the main licenses regarding mineral exploration and publicize the usual paperwork and contingencies obtaining these permits.It also presents alternatives to traditional procedures, which are more useful in practice to expedite to start of mining exploration activities in Peru.El fin del autor en este artículo es hacer un esbozo de los principales títulos habilitantes para lo referente a la exploración minera, así como dar a conocer los trámites y usuales contingencias que acarrean la obtención de estos permisos. Asimismo, se presentanalternativas a las tradicionales autorizaciones, que son más útiles en la práctica para agilizarel comienzo de actividades de exploración minera en el Perú.
6
Sykes, Michael P. "Some techniques for the enhancement of electromagnetic data for mineral exploration." Thesis, Curtin University, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/922.
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The usefulness of electromagnetic (EM) methods for mineral exploration is severely restricted by the presence of a conductive overburden. Approximately 80% of the Australian continent is covered by regolith that contains some of the most conductive clays on Earth. As a result, frequency-domain methods are only effective for near surface investigations and time-domain methods, that are capable of deeper exploration, require the measurement of very small, late-time signals. Both methods suffer from the fact that the currents in the conductive Earth layers contribute a large portion of the total measured signal that may mask the signal from a conductive target. In the search for non-layered structures, this form of geological noise is the greatest impediment to the success of EM surveys in conductive terrains. Over the years a range of data acquisition and processing techniques have been used in an effort to enhance the response of the non-layered target and thereby increase the likelihood of its detection.The combined use of a variety of survey configurations to assist exploration and interpretation is not new and is practiced regularly. The active nature of EM exploration means that the measured response is determined to a large degree by the way in which the Earth is energised. Geological structures produce different responses to different stimuli. In this work, two new methods of data combination are used to transform the measured data into a residual quantity that enhances the signature of non-layered geological structures. Based on the concept of data redundancy and tested using the results of numerical modelling, the new combinations greatly increase the signal to noise ratio for targets located in a conductive environment by reducing the layered Earth contribution. The data combinations have application to frequency-domain and time-domain EM surveys and simple interpretive rules can be applied to the residuals to extract geological parameters useful in exploration. The new methods make use of inductive loop sources and can therefore also be applied to airborne surveys.Airborne surveys present special difficulties due to the data acquisition procedures commonly used. Flight-line related artefacts such as herringbones detract from the appearance of maps and make boundary definition more difficult. A new procedure, based on the Radon transform, is used to remove herringbones from airborne EM maps and locate the conductive boundaries correctly, making interpretation more reliable and easier. In addition, selective filtering of the Radon transform data enables the enhancement or attenuation of specific linear features shown in the map to emphasise features of interest. Comparison of the Radon transform procedures with the more conventional Fourier transform methods shaves the Radon transform processing to be more versatile and less prone to distortion of the features in a map.The procedures developed in this work are applied to field data with good results.
7
Blanco, Huguette. "Efficient contracting in mineral exploration in Canada." Thesis, Lancaster University, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.238977.
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8
El-Fouly, Adel Ahmed Mahmoud. "Information extraction and integration in mineral exploration." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/186085.
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Geologic information extraction and integration are the main goals of this study. Tools are designed to aid in exploration for common mineral deposits by intelligently and efficiently processing spatial geological data. Gabor filters, comprising Gaussian-attenuated sinusoidal weight vectors, are used for textural discrimination. A highly non-linear logic operator was designed for "valley", "ridge", edge, and intersection extraction from multispectral images to cover most of the possible local lineament types. A zonation detector (a non-linear logic operator) indicates the presence or absence of lithologic zonation, the number and the types of zones using a series of automatically expanding moving windows. The ultimate window size represents the zonation size. Two different types of raster-based expert systems help optimize pixel-by-pixel knowledge extraction and representation over the spatial information and throughout the different raster feature layers. First a 2-D expert system is used for classification, ranking, recognition and searching for important pattern associations in the feature space. Second, a multilayer adaptive raster-based expert system allows the processing of multiple geologic features, and operates over each pattern in the feature layers. The fuzzy integral method of evidence fusion is used to integrate information from a variety of mineral exploration sources. This nonlinearly combines objective mineral occurrence evidence, in the form of a fuzzy membership function, with subjective evaluation of the worth of the sources with respect to the decision. An application of these methods to the Tombstone mineral district in southern Arizona demonstrates its ability to pick out circular features from TM imagery, Gabor transforms and lineament patterns, as well as identify favorable zonation for new mineral occurrence. The final product at this time is a probability map to guide the exploration geologist.
9
Heuvel, Lisa L. "English Mineral Exploration in the New World." W&M ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539626476.
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Liedholm, Johnson Eva. "Mineral Rights : Legal Systems Governing Exploration and Exploitation." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Fastighetsvetenskap, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-12044.
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The objective of this thesis is to examine the legal procedures and systems concerning granting or possessing mineral rights, and how such rights may be exercised, particularly given the diametric interests of land use, ownership and land tenure. The study, comparative in its nature, aims at highlighting the similarities and differences between the countries and states of comparison, and thereby identify interesting solutions of issues relating to the granting and exercising of mineral rights. The study examines mineral rights and different legal systems regulating mineral exploration and exploitation. The focus is on mining and mineral legislation and its application, including the exercise of mineral rights. The systems chosen are those of Sweden, Finland and the states of Ontario and Western Australia. The main result is generated by the comparison dealing with the application, granting and possession of mineral rights related to the development of a mine. Several processes are thereby identified. In addition, the content and extent of the different rights and obligations related to exploration and exploitation activities are examined, as well as land areas open or closed for the exercise of these rights. The legal processes concerning granting mineral rights are in fact complex as evidenced by this work, particularly when land-use and environmental legislation is taken into account. The perception of a good balance in legislation between diametric interests of land use, ownership and land tenure is heavily linked to the view of sustainable development. The difficulties of achieving this are confirmed by the countries and states compared. The continuous change of mineral legislation during the course of this study is an indication of the complexity of the topic.QC20100723
11
Sevindik, Mentes Hilal. "Design and Development of a Mineral Exploration Ontology." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2012. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/geosciences_theses/49.
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In this thesis, an ontology for the mineral exploration domain is designed and developed applying the Protégé ontology editor. The MinExOnt ontology includes a formal and explicit representation of the terms describing real objects, activities, and processes in mineral exploration. The stages used for these activities have various vocabularies, which are semantically modeled in this ontology with Web Ontology Language (OWL). The aim of the thesis is to show how ontologies can be designed and developed to help manage and represent geological knowledge. In addition to providing a general workflow for building the ontology, this thesis presents a simple user guide for the used software, including Protégé, used for ontology development, and Knoodl-OntVis, used for OWL visualization.
12
Ahmadi, Pouya. "Feasibility of Multi-component Seismic for Mineral Exploration." Thesis, Curtin University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/76040.
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Mineral industry uses potential-field methods to explore shallow-seated resources. As deposits are getting deeper, alternative technologies are needed. Seismic reflection is the only surface method reaching the desired depth. Utilising full-vector field may provide valuable information including better rock characterisation in term of composition, alternations and geotechnical properties for exploration. This research is hoped to add new knowledge along this path and inspire further multicomponent seismic studies in the mineral sector.
13
Maturana, Francisco Jose. "Quantitative Optimisation of Drilling for Brownfields Mineral Exploration." Thesis, Curtin University, 2022. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/88905.
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This research presents a novel optimisation framework for brownfields exploration drilling. The proposed optimisation methodology has been developed applying geostatistical methods and modern portfolio theory. The use of conditional simulations ensures that geological uncertainty is taken into account, and the application of Markowitz portfolio theory makes drilling funds allocation optimal. The proposed method closes the gap in current research by incorporating the inherent geological uncertainty of an exploration target and mineral economics.
14
De, Bastiani Alexandre. "The Unexplored Earth : Inspiring the future of mineral exploration." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Designhögskolan vid Umeå universitet, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-172611.
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Very much like the great navigations in the 14th century or the space programs, exploring remote parts of our planet is a dangerous, challenging, and unknown endeavor that drives human beings. We not only do it to find resources but also for the sake of science, looking for shreds of evidence of a past that we only speculate. Our civilization has been driven by courageous and visionary explorers and now the challenges are different, and they need to be investigated. The Unexplored Earth is a design project that aims to provide a vision of the future of mineral exploration in such an unknown planet, the Earth. Hopefully, the result presented in this paper will serve its purpose of inspiring both the mining industry and geological survey organizations throughout the world in developing new technologies and methods of exploration increasing the rate of discoveries with reduced expenditure in comparison with current scenarios. Pilgrim is an underground drone capable of exploring where humans are not able to go, performing geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys within the Underground.
15
Torres, Alvarez Hernán. "Mineral exploration, junior mining companies and aspects to be considered for its promotion." IUS ET VERITAS, 2016. http://repositorio.pucp.edu.pe/index/handle/123456789/122605.
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The author makes an analysis of the measures to be taken into account to promote mining activities, with special emphasis in the area of exploration as the main activity in the mining industry. Therefore, the present article focuses on everything that made such activity from its main actors to the considerations to take into account in its regulation and the effectiveness of it. Finally the author presents his conclusions focusing on the importance of generating investment and therefore expedition to implement the best mechanisms in the mining sector.El autor hace un análisis acerca de las medidas a tomar en cuenta para promover las actividades mineras, poniendo especial énfasis en el área de la exploración como actividad principal de la industria minera. De tal forma, que el presente artículo se centra en todo aquello que compone dicha actividad, desde sus principales actores hasta las consideraciones a tomar en cuenta para su regulación y la eficacia de la misma. Finalmente el autor expone sus conclusiones centrándose en la importancia que genera la inversión y por tanto la expedición para implementar los mejores mecanismos en el rubro minero.
16
Kamyab, Mohammadreza. "Cuttings transportation in coiled tubing drilling for mineral exploration." Thesis, Curtin University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1279.
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Cuttings transportation in micro-borehole annulus in coiled tubing drilling for mineral exploration was studied. The effect of cuttings size and mud properties as well as hole inclination was simulated physically using a flow loop. Computational fluid dynamics was applied to simulate lab experiments and do sensitivity analysis of various parameters. The results show significant differences in cuttings transport response in mineral exploration comparing to the oil and gas drilling applications.
17
Sykes, Michael P. "Some techniques for the enhancement of electromagnetic data for mineral exploration." Curtin University of Technology, School of Physical Sciences, 2000. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=9460.
Full textAbstract:
The usefulness of electromagnetic (EM) methods for mineral exploration is severely restricted by the presence of a conductive overburden. Approximately 80% of the Australian continent is covered by regolith that contains some of the most conductive clays on Earth. As a result, frequency-domain methods are only effective for near surface investigations and time-domain methods, that are capable of deeper exploration, require the measurement of very small, late-time signals. Both methods suffer from the fact that the currents in the conductive Earth layers contribute a large portion of the total measured signal that may mask the signal from a conductive target. In the search for non-layered structures, this form of geological noise is the greatest impediment to the success of EM surveys in conductive terrains. Over the years a range of data acquisition and processing techniques have been used in an effort to enhance the response of the non-layered target and thereby increase the likelihood of its detection.The combined use of a variety of survey configurations to assist exploration and interpretation is not new and is practiced regularly. The active nature of EM exploration means that the measured response is determined to a large degree by the way in which the Earth is energised. Geological structures produce different responses to different stimuli. In this work, two new methods of data combination are used to transform the measured data into a residual quantity that enhances the signature of non-layered geological structures. Based on the concept of data redundancy and tested using the results of numerical modelling, the new combinations greatly increase the signal to noise ratio for targets located in a conductive environment by reducing the layered Earth contribution. The data combinations have application to frequency-domain and time-domain EM surveys and simple ++interpretive rules can be applied to the residuals to extract geological parameters useful in exploration. The new methods make use of inductive loop sources and can therefore also be applied to airborne surveys.Airborne surveys present special difficulties due to the data acquisition procedures commonly used. Flight-line related artefacts such as herringbones detract from the appearance of maps and make boundary definition more difficult. A new procedure, based on the Radon transform, is used to remove herringbones from airborne EM maps and locate the conductive boundaries correctly, making interpretation more reliable and easier. In addition, selective filtering of the Radon transform data enables the enhancement or attenuation of specific linear features shown in the map to emphasise features of interest. Comparison of the Radon transform procedures with the more conventional Fourier transform methods shaves the Radon transform processing to be more versatile and less prone to distortion of the features in a map.The procedures developed in this work are applied to field data with good results.
18
Gregory, R. G. "Soil gas emanometry and hydrothermal mineralisation in southwest England." Thesis, University of Exeter, 1987. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.377311.
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Papapavlou, Konstantinos. "Petrochronology and mineral chemistry of mid-crustal shear zones : new tools for tectonics and mineral exploration." Thesis, University of Portsmouth, 2017. https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/petrochronology-and-mineral-chemistry-of-midcrustal-shear-zones(e59893a5-5079-43b8-8dfd-b83e207b5097).html.
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Dating ductile shear zones is daunting because we have to demonstrate either that the chronometer of choice grew during shear zone operation or that crystal-plastic deformation induced age resetting. By adopting a petrochronological approach in this project combining petrographic, geochemical, U-Pb isotopic, and quantitative microstructural data U-Pb isotopic dates are linked with certain shear zone processes. The study area is the South Range of the world-class Sudbury Impact Structure. Specifically, mylonitic shear zones at the Creighton Mine (South Range, Sudbury) operated during three distinct tectonothermal events at ca. 1.75 Ga, 1.65 Ga, and 1.45 Ga. The age dating of texturally and geochemically characterised titanite grains from a shear zone exposed at the 5400 level of the Creighton Mine, indicates operation of the shear during the Mazatzalian – Labradorian orogeny (1.7 – 1.6 Ga). Meso-scale sulphide structures of mechanical remobilization, within the main body of the examined shear zone, show that this event facilitated the local-scale transfer of sulphides to satellite positions. Three age populations of ca. 1.75 Ga, 1.65 Ga, and 1.45 Ga are also prevalent in shear zones from deeper levels of the Creighton Mine. These age populations yield new insights into the orogenic history of the South Range and the Southern Province, and provide further constraints on the comparison of accretionary provinces of the North American Mid-continent and the Southwest United States. Taking into consideration the fluid-mediated and crystal-plasticity textural features in the examined titanite populations it is suggested that these dates record events of syndeformational fluid percolation. Within the 1.75 Ga textural population of titanite grains survived inclusions of inherited titanite grains with shock-metamorphic features. Microstructural and micro to nano-scale crosscutting relationships suggest that the shock wave during the 1.85 Ga impact event induced in these grains the growth of 75°/<010> and 108°/<010> shock microtwins. The nucleation of twins induced a work hardening effect that allowed their survival during the later polyorogenic reworking of the basin (1.75 to 1.45 Ga). U-Pb age dating of these grains yield accurately the age of impact (i.e. 1851 ± 12 Ma). In comparison, titanite grains located within Archaean target rocks ofthe Vredefort structure show identical crystallographic features and partial age resetting. The differential response is attributed to the different distance of the samples from the base of the impact melt sheet that was the dominant heat source. The ore-controlling character of the examined shear zones in the Sudbury mining camp can provide critical information about the exploration potential of these structures in metallogenetic settings. Preliminary mineral-chemical analysis, from major to trace element level, of fabric-forming silicates show distinct trends in the abundance of pathfinder elements (e.g. transition metals). Further, work that will collate the different datasets using multivariable statistical methods will be pursued in order to untangle the vectoring potential of different elements.
20
Douglas, Hugh. "The impact of technological and social change on mineral exploration." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1987. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/38291.
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21
Masuda, Nobuyuki. "Study on exploration and evaluation systems for mineral resources development." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/148310.
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22
Gabell, Andrew R. "High-resolution remote sensing applied to mineral exploration in Australia /." Title page, and contents only, 1986. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phg1123.pdf.
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23
Harrison, Christopher Bernard. "Feasibility of rock characterization for mineral exploration using seismic data." Thesis, Curtin University, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/999.
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The use of seismic methods in hard rock environments in Western Australia for mineral exploration is a new and burgeoning technology. Traditionally, mineral exploration has relied upon potential field methods and surface prospecting to reveal shallow targets for economic exploitation. These methods have been and will continue to be effective but lack lateral and depth resolution needed to image deeper mineral deposits for targeted mining. With global need for minerals, and gold in particular, increasing in demand, and with shallower targets harder to find, new methods to uncover deeper mineral reserves are needed. Seismic reflection imaging, hard rock borehole data analysis, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis all give the spatial and volumetric exploration techniques the mineral industry can use to reveal high value deeper mineral targets.In 2002, two high resolution seismic lines, the East Victory and Intrepid, were acquired along with sonic logging, to assess the feasibility of seismic imaging and rock characterisation at the St. Ives gold camp in Western Australia. An innovative research project was undertaken combining seismic processing, rock characterization, reflection calibration, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis to show that volumetric predictions of rock type and gold-content may be viable in hard rock environments. Accurate seismic imaging and reflection identification proved to be challenging but achievable task in the all-out hard rock environment of the Yilgarn craton. Accurate results were confounded by crocked seismic line acquisition, low signal-to-noise ratio, regolith distortions, small elastic property variations in the rock, and a limited volume of sonic logging. Each of these challenges, however, did have a systematic solution which allowed for accurate results to be achieved.Seismic imaging was successfully completed on both the East Victory and Intrepid data sets revealing complex structures in the Earth as shallow as 100 metres to as deep as 3000 metres. The successful imaging required homogenization of the regolith to eliminate regolith travel-time distortions and accurate constant velocity analysis for reflection focusing using migration. Verification of the high amplitude reflections within each image was achieved through integration of surface geological and underground mine data as well as calibration with log derived synthetic seismograms. The most accurate imaging results were ultimately achieved on the East Victory line which had good signal-to-noise ratio and close-to-straight data acquisition direction compared to the more crooked Intrepid seismic line.The sonic logs from both the East Victory and Intrepid seismic lines were comprehensively analysed by re-sampling and separating the data based on rock type, structure type, alteration type, and Au assay. Cross plotting of the log data revealed statistically accurate separation between harder and softer rocks, as well as sheared and un-sheared rock, were possible based solely on compressional-wave, shear-wave, density, acoustic and elastic impedance. These results were used successfully to derive empirical relationships between seismic attributes and geology. Calibrations of the logs and seismic data provided proof that reflections, especially high-amplitude reflections, correlated well with certain rock properties as expected from the sonic data, including high gold content sheared zones. The correlation value, however, varied with signal-to-noise ratio and crookedness of the seismic line. Subsequent numerical modelling confirmed that separating soft from hard rocks can be based on both general reflectivity pattern and impedance contrasts.Indeed impedance inversions on the calibrated seismic and sonic data produced reliable volumetric separations between harder rocks (basalt and dolerite) and softer rock (intermediate intrusive, mafic, and volcaniclastic). Acoustic impedance inversions produced the most statistically valid volumetric predictions with the simultaneous use of acoustic and elastic inversions producing stable separation of softer and harder rocks zones. Similarly, Lambda-Mu-Rho inversions showed good separations between softer and harder rock zones. With high gold content rock associated more with “softer” hard rocks and sheared zones, these volumetric inversion provide valuable information for targeted mining. The geostatistical method applied to attribute analysis, however, was highly ambiguous due to low correlations and thus produced overly generalized predictions. Overall reliability of the seismic inversion results were based on quality and quantity of sonic data leaving the East Victory data set, again with superior results as compared to the Intrepid data set.In general, detailed processing and analysis of the 2D seismic data and the study of the relationship between the recorded wave-field and rock properties measured from borehole logs, core samples and open cut mining, revealed that positive correlations can be developed between the two. The results of rigorous research show that rock characterization using seismic methodology will greatly benefit the mineral industry.
24
Harrison, Christopher Bernard. "Feasibility of rock characterization for mineral exploration using seismic data." Curtin University of Technology, Western Australia School of Mines, Department of Exploration Geophysics, 2009. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=129417.
Full textAbstract:
The use of seismic methods in hard rock environments in Western Australia for mineral exploration is a new and burgeoning technology. Traditionally, mineral exploration has relied upon potential field methods and surface prospecting to reveal shallow targets for economic exploitation. These methods have been and will continue to be effective but lack lateral and depth resolution needed to image deeper mineral deposits for targeted mining. With global need for minerals, and gold in particular, increasing in demand, and with shallower targets harder to find, new methods to uncover deeper mineral reserves are needed. Seismic reflection imaging, hard rock borehole data analysis, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis all give the spatial and volumetric exploration techniques the mineral industry can use to reveal high value deeper mineral targets.In 2002, two high resolution seismic lines, the East Victory and Intrepid, were acquired along with sonic logging, to assess the feasibility of seismic imaging and rock characterisation at the St. Ives gold camp in Western Australia. An innovative research project was undertaken combining seismic processing, rock characterization, reflection calibration, seismic inversion and seismic attribute analysis to show that volumetric predictions of rock type and gold-content may be viable in hard rock environments. Accurate seismic imaging and reflection identification proved to be challenging but achievable task in the all-out hard rock environment of the Yilgarn craton. Accurate results were confounded by crocked seismic line acquisition, low signal-to-noise ratio, regolith distortions, small elastic property variations in the rock, and a limited volume of sonic logging. Each of these challenges, however, did have a systematic solution which allowed for accurate results to be achieved.
Seismic imaging was successfully completed on both the East Victory and Intrepid data sets revealing complex structures in the Earth as shallow as 100 metres to as deep as 3000 metres. The successful imaging required homogenization of the regolith to eliminate regolith travel-time distortions and accurate constant velocity analysis for reflection focusing using migration. Verification of the high amplitude reflections within each image was achieved through integration of surface geological and underground mine data as well as calibration with log derived synthetic seismograms. The most accurate imaging results were ultimately achieved on the East Victory line which had good signal-to-noise ratio and close-to-straight data acquisition direction compared to the more crooked Intrepid seismic line.
The sonic logs from both the East Victory and Intrepid seismic lines were comprehensively analysed by re-sampling and separating the data based on rock type, structure type, alteration type, and Au assay. Cross plotting of the log data revealed statistically accurate separation between harder and softer rocks, as well as sheared and un-sheared rock, were possible based solely on compressional-wave, shear-wave, density, acoustic and elastic impedance. These results were used successfully to derive empirical relationships between seismic attributes and geology. Calibrations of the logs and seismic data provided proof that reflections, especially high-amplitude reflections, correlated well with certain rock properties as expected from the sonic data, including high gold content sheared zones. The correlation value, however, varied with signal-to-noise ratio and crookedness of the seismic line. Subsequent numerical modelling confirmed that separating soft from hard rocks can be based on both general reflectivity pattern and impedance contrasts.
Indeed impedance inversions on the calibrated seismic and sonic data produced reliable volumetric separations between harder rocks (basalt and dolerite) and softer rock (intermediate intrusive, mafic, and volcaniclastic). Acoustic impedance inversions produced the most statistically valid volumetric predictions with the simultaneous use of acoustic and elastic inversions producing stable separation of softer and harder rocks zones. Similarly, Lambda-Mu-Rho inversions showed good separations between softer and harder rock zones. With high gold content rock associated more with “softer” hard rocks and sheared zones, these volumetric inversion provide valuable information for targeted mining. The geostatistical method applied to attribute analysis, however, was highly ambiguous due to low correlations and thus produced overly generalized predictions. Overall reliability of the seismic inversion results were based on quality and quantity of sonic data leaving the East Victory data set, again with superior results as compared to the Intrepid data set.
In general, detailed processing and analysis of the 2D seismic data and the study of the relationship between the recorded wave-field and rock properties measured from borehole logs, core samples and open cut mining, revealed that positive correlations can be developed between the two. The results of rigorous research show that rock characterization using seismic methodology will greatly benefit the mineral industry.
25
Hooshyari, Far Ida. "Gamma Ray Spectroscopy for Logging While Drilling in Mineral Exploration." Thesis, Curtin University, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/69349.
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Natural gamma ray spectroscopy has changed little in 30 years. Simulations, laboratory scale models, and field experiments all demonstrate that the natural gamma ray spectrum recorded during borehole drilling can be used to track changes in heavy element concentrations with the Heavy Mineral Index, and it correlates well with iron-rich zones. This research creates a basis for a new generation of safe logging-while-drilling tools plus changes the analysis of airborne radiometrics in the future.
26
Ackerman, Benjamin R. "Regolith geochemical exploration in the Girilambone District of New South Wales." Access electronically, 2005. http://www.library.uow.edu.au/adt-NWU/public/adt-NWU20051027.095334/index.html.
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Day, Stephen John. "Sampling stream sediments for gold in mineral exploration, southern British Columbia." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 1988. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/27869.
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The problems encountered by mineral explorationists when sampling stream sediments for gold were investigated by considering the sparsity of free gold particles and their tendency to form small placers at certain locations in the stream bed.
Fourteen 20-kg samples of -5-mm sediment were collected from contrasting energy and geochemical environments in five streams draining gold occurrences in southern British Columbia. The samples were sieved to six size fractions (420 µm to 52 µm) and gold content was determined by neutron activation analysis following preparation of two density fractions using methylene iodide. Gold concentrations were converted to estimated number of free gold particles and the Poisson probability distribution was used to show that much larger field samples (>100 kg of -1 mm screened sediment) would be required to reduce random variability due to nugget effects to acceptable levels. However, in a comparison of conventional sampling methods, the lowest probability of failing to detect a stream sediment gold anomaly is obtained using the sampling method described in this study.
Small-scale placer formation was investigated by collecting twenty 60-kg samples of -2-mm sediment from ten locations along five kilometres of Harris Creek in the Okanagan region, east of Vernon. Samples were prepared and analysed as described above though heavy-mineral concentrates were only prepared for two size fractions. Gold was found to be considerably enriched in sandy-gravel deposits compared to sand deposits, with the effect decreasing as sediment size decreased. The level of enrichment varies on the stream in response to changing channel slope and local hydraulic conditions. Gold anomaly dilution is apparent in sand deposits but not apparent in sandy-gravel deposits since gold is preferentially deposited in gravels as channel slope decreases. These results are presented in the framework of H.A. Einstein's sediment transport model.
Sediment collected from gravels may represent the best geochemical sample since placer-forming processes produce high gold concentrations, however in very high energy streams, the small quantities of fine sediment in gravels may lead to unacceptable nugget effects. In the latter case, a sample collected from a sand deposit is a satisfactory alternative.Science, Faculty of
Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
Graduate
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Ilha, Lenon Melo [UNESP]. "Levantamento magnetométrico em sequência metaultramáfica mineralizada em cromita, São Sepé (RS)." Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11449/151374.
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Estudos de prospecção e pesquisa mineral por meio da geofísica são fundamentais para o reconhecimento e incorporação de novas reservas, devido ao baixo custo em relação aos métodos diretos de investigação e a possibilidade de cobertura de amplas áreas. Este trabalho consiste na aplicação do método da Magnetometria Terrestre, na caracterização de um corpo ultramáfico metamorfizado e mineralizado em cromo, a área de estudo se localiza na zona rural do município de São Sepé (RS) e situada nos limites das rochas do Escudo Sul Riograndense. Os litotipos presentes na área são arenitos, rochas metavulcânicas e rochas máficas/ultramáficas. Foram realizadas 1677 leituras em linhas perpendiculares a direção principal do corpo ultramáfico, com espaçamento de 25 metros entre pontos de medida. Os mapas magnetométricos gerados revelam anomalias de alta intensidade, acima de 420nT no mapa de intensidade de campo total, relacionadas com as rochas ultramáficas. Os resultados demonstraram a aplicabilidade do método da magnetometria na individualização de ocorrências minerais magnéticas de dimensões métricas, e a possibilidade de uso na seleção de alvos para perfuração, amostragem e quantificação de teores, em rotinas de pesquisas por depósitos de cromo.
Studies of mineral research and exploration through geophysics are fundamental for the recognition and incorporation of new reserves, due to the low cost in relation to the direct methods of investigation and the possibility of covering large areas. This work consists of the application of the Terrestrial Magnetometry method, in the characterization of a metamorphic and mineralized chrome mineralized body, the study area is located in the rural area of the city of São Sepé (RS) and located in the limits of the rocks of the Escudo Sul Riograndense. The lithotypes present in the area are sandstones, metavulcanic rocks and mafic / ultramafic rocks. There were 1677 readings in lines perpendicular to the main direction of the ultramafic body, with spacing of 25 meters between measurement points. The generated magnetometric maps show high intensity anomalies, above 420nT in the map of total field strength, related to ultramafic rocks. The results demonstrated the applicability of the magnetometry method in the individualization of magnetic mineral occurrences of metric dimensions, and the possibility of use in the selection of targets for drilling, sampling and quantification of contents, in search routines for chromium deposits.
CNPq: 470821/2013
29
Leblanc, G. "Wavelet analysis denoising of aeromagnetic data, application to hydrocarbon and mineral exploration." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape8/PQDD_0035/NQ66216.pdf.
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Mulshaw, Sean Cartwright. "An evaluation of hydrocarbon gas geochemistry as a primary mineral exploration technique." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/47582.
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Kapageridis, Ioannis K. "Application of artificial neural network systems to ore grade estimation from exploration data." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.301663.
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Seneshen, David Michael. "The applicability of partial extractions to mineral exploration in areas of transported overburden." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp02/NQ35977.pdf.
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Cox, David. "Surficial and geochemical evolution of periglacial soils : applications to mineral exploration in Yukon." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/44758.
Full textAbstract:
Exploration geochemistry is a powerful tool when exploring for gold deposits in periglacial environments, such as west-central Yukon. However, this study identified two main challenges to using soils as indicators of bedrock mineralization: 1) the variability of sample material over the scale of hundreds of meters and 2) The dilution of metal concentration in soil caused by the addition of loess. Herein, a study into the distribution of surficial materials is presented, the outcome of which is the mapping of surficial units whereby the terrain is divided into domains based on topography, surficial material and surficial processes. Furthermore, a study into the distribution of metals, specifically gold, within a selection of domains concludes that there is considerable geochemical variation between domains and that no single optimum sample material occurs throughout west-central Yukon. Hence, a tailored sampling protocol, based on surficial mapping is recommended.
Results of scoping studies to the development of two methods to aid in exploration for gold deposits in west-central Yukon are presented: 1) a method for approximating the proportions of loess in a soil sample; proportion of loess in the Bdm horizon and Bm horizon from a selection of exposures from the Golden Saddle deposit were calculated. 2) A method for detecting bedrock alteration by the analysis of the mineralogy of surficial material; Well-crystalized illite, which forms specifically under hydrothermal conditions is identified in surficial material overlying the Golden Saddle deposit. This demonstrates that bedrock alteration minerals remain stable under surficial conditions. The two methods outlined above are demonstrated to be plausible and applicable to exploration in this area.
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Rodriguez, de Ornelas Edna Patricia 1958. "Digital analysis applied to mineral exploration at the Puerto Libertad area, Sonora, Mexico." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1990. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278249.
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Digital analysis of thematic mapper images and digital elevation model (DEM) of the Puerto Libertad area, emphasized a NE-E structural pattern and a less evident N-S structural trend. These structures may correspond to the distensive mechanisms of the opening of the Gulf of California. Also, semicircular structures in the area were recognized. These are associated to plutonic bodies or local volcanic centers. Exploration targets are most likely to occur in the last type of structures. Analysis included multispectral ratios of bands 5/7 and 5/1 to enhance lithologic discrimination and alteration zones especially hydroxyl-bearing and ferric iron alterations. Principal component analysis to enhance spectral data was also performed. Images revealed new lithologic subdivisions in units previously mapped. Analysis of DEM data and gradient operators from the first principal component image were analyzed to extract textural information.
35
Tasker, Barry Stuart. "Optimisation of drilling patterns in mineral exploration and exploitation in long narrow areas." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1989. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/35946/1/35946_Tasker_1989.pdf.
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In this work, the solution is presented for a mathematical problem arising from a geological context, involving the design of a regular drilling grid which has to be imposed on a very long strip of ground. The drill holes in the grid are considered to fom1 the centres of circular areas of influence. It is necessary that the total area of the strip is completely covered by these circles of influence; but the most efficient grid will
be such that the overlap is a minimum, and hence the total number of drill holes required for a given length of the strip will also be a minimum. The geological applications of the theory developed apply to a variety of different contexts, whenever a long narrow area is to be drilled for exploration or the proving of
reserves of coal or other stratiform mineral deposits. Long narrow areas are regarded as trips which have lengths so much greater than their width that they can be considered infinite. This situation arises naturally with some mineral deposits which by their nature
are very elongated, but the particular application which gave rise to the present study was the proving of reserves in the economically exploitable segment of an inclined coal seam.
The geometric requirements have been translated into algebraic terms, and the standard methods of algebra and analysis have been applied as appropriate. Additionally, certain specialised mathematical techniques have been developed specifically for the rather unusual types of problem encountered. These techniques involve the determination of required geometrical properties of polynomials in 1 and 2 variables from the algebraic
relationships between their coefficients. Some of these problems have been associated
with the large matrices with very large integer entries which have arisen in the investigation of properties of polynomials in 2 variables, which act as the detem1inators of the properties of the various grids. In most cases it has been possible to reduce
consideration of the polynomial concerned to a semi-infinite sn;ip, as a subset of its domain of definition. A series of techniques for dealing with such a strip has been developed, and listed (with proofs) in Appendix lB.
For the problem as posed above, all regular geometric possibilities have been
canvassed, and those which are less than optimal have been systematically eliminated.
Finally, it has been shown that the most efficient grid comprises obtuse-angled isosceles
triangles, constructed as follows.CONSTRUCTION:
(a) Let H be the width of the strip, and let R be the chosen radius of influence;
Put h = RH . [This effectively measures the strip-width using]
the radius of influence as the unit of measure.
(b) It is now necessary to split the total strip into N bands of equal width. It is
shown in the thesis that the optimal choice may be found from the condition
(c)
where
b(N - 1) ~ h < b(N),
b(N) J3N2 + SN+ 4
2(N + 1)
[
so that
b(N - 1)
A table is provided in the concluding chapter to facilitate this choice (when the
strip is not immoderately wide).
Let w = Nh and W = R w;
this allows for W to be the width of each of the N equal bands.
Also let V = 2 [ R +JR 2 - W2
] ; this is shown to be the length of the base of
each isosceles triangle fom1ed by the construction below.
(d) The strip of width H should be SJ?lit into N bands, each of width W. The parallel edges of these bands should be marked off into intervals of length V, staggered for alternate edges so that the vertices marked form isosceles triangles of vertical height W and with base of length V. It will be found that such triangles have an obtuse angle at the venex. In the concluding chapter of the thesis following, a table is provided for the simplification of step (b) in which the optimal number of bands is chosen. Prior to this, it is proved in detail that the construction above gives the most efficient grid possible under the circumstances outlined for this problem.
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Ma, Yamin. "Vegetation as a biotic driver for the formation of soil geochemical anomalies for mineral exploration of covered terranes." University of Western Australia. School of Earth and Geographical Sciences, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2008.0235.
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[Tuncated abstract] Soil is a relatively low cost and robust geochemical sampling medium and is an essential part of most mineral exploration programs. In areas of covered terrain, however, soils are less reliable as a sampling medium because they do not always develop the geochemical signature of the buried mineralisation; possibly a result of limited upward transport of ore related elements into the surficial overburden. As economic demands on the resources industry grow, mineral exploration continues to expand further into areas of covered terrain where the rewards of finding a new deposit relative to the risks of finding it may be comparatively low. Thus, improving the costeffectiveness of a geochemical exploration program requires a sound understanding of the mechanisms by which soil geochemical anomalies form in transported overburden. This thesis examines the deep biotic uplift of ore related elements by deep rooting vegetation as a mechanism for the development of soil geochemical anomalies within transported overburdens, in semi-arid and arid regions. '...' Vegetation and soils were analysed at two Au prospects in Western Australia: Berkley, Coolgardie and Torquata, 210 km south-east of Kambalda, in semi-arid Western Australia to complement both the mass balance and the differential modelling. At Berkley, both the vegetation and soils located directly over the mineralisation showed high concentrations of Au. There may be indirect evidence for the operation of the deep plant uptake flux taking effect from the field evidence at Berkley. Firstly, anomalous concentrations of Au were found in the surface soils, with no detectable Au in the transported overburden. Secondly, the trace element concentrations in vegetation showed correlation to the buried lithology, which to our knowledge has not been reported elsewhere. The results from the samples at Torquata, in contrast, were less conclusive because the Au is almost exclusively associated with a surficial calcrete horizon (at <5 m soil depth). Strong correlations of Ca and Au in leaf samples however, suggest that the vegetation may be involved in the formation of calcrete and the subsequent association of Au with the calcrete. Among the vegetation components, the litter and leaf samples gave the greatest anomaly contrast at both prospects. Finally, three main drivers for the deep biotic uplift of elements were identified based on the results from the mechanistic numerical modelling exercise: i) the deep uptake flux; ii) the maximum plant concentration and; iii) the erosional flux. The relative sizes of these three factors control the rates of formation and decay, and trace element concentrations, of the soil anomaly. The main implication for the use of soils as exploration media in covered terranes is that soil geochemical anomalies may only be transient geological features, forming and dispersing as a result of the relative sizes of the accumulative and loss fluxes. The thesis culminates in the development of the first quantitative, mechanistic model of trace element accumulation in soils by deep biotic uplift.
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Dunbar, Alyssa C. "Using Surficial Geochemical Methods to Detect Anomalies of Ore Indicator Metals in a Peat Bog at McIlvenna Bay, Saskatchewan, Canada, as a Method for Blind VMS Deposit Exploration." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/35833.
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Surficial geochemistry, particularly selective leach technology, has proven effective in revealing anomalous concentrations of ore indicator metals overlying zones of buried mineralization. This study focuses on the buried Zn-Cu-Au-Ag VMS deposit at McIlvenna Bay in the Flin Flon Greenstone Belt to determine whether the peat swamp at the surface contains any anomalies of ore indicator metals using simple surficial geochemical techniques. Three selective leaches were performed, ammonium acetate pH 5.0, hydroxylamine, and sodium pyrophosphate. The hydroxylamine leach, which selects for metals in the reducible phase often associated with Mn and Fe oxides, has the clearest anomaly for multiple metals observed simultaneously, at the greatest magnitude. The pyrophosphate leach, which selects for metals that are oxidizable, often associated with organics showed a clear anomaly only for Cu, despite the abundance of organic matter and its great affinity for binding metals, likely because the organic-metal complexes formed in this system are easily exchangeable and highly soluble, not allowing for the formation of clear anomalies. The use of selective leach technology on surficial soil or peat has shown to be effective for delineating ore indicator metal anomalies, giving surface projections of buried mineralization in various types of systems, as long as the dynamics of the system are well understood in order to determine the phase the metals are associated with.
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Corrêa, Vinícius Moreno de Sousa 1984. "Fronteira da exploração mineral na Amazônia = o setor mineral e a dinâmica demográfica da mesorregião sudeste paraense." [s.n.], 2011. http://repositorio.unicamp.br/jspui/handle/REPOSIP/279307.
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Orientador: Roberto Luiz do CarmoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas
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Resumo: A exploração mineral na Amazônia deve ser entendida como um dos agentes de ocupação de uma das últimas fronteiras do país. O trabalho analisa a importância do setor mineral nos municípios da Mesorregião Sudeste Paraense, discutindo as implicações demográficas e ambientais decorrentes dos processos associados à atividade econômica. Embora os efeitos agudos dessa atividade sejam cíclicos - com a descoberta, exploração e exaustão das jazidas se sucedendo com velocidade variável - existem medidas de impacto que podem ser apreendidas ao longo do tempo. A descoberta e a exploração de uma jazida são capazes de desencadear processos demográficos, realizando transformações na estrutura populacional, que permanecem presentes mesmo após a diminuição ou o término da exploração. Vestígios desse processo específico de uso e ocupação do solo foram investigados através da composição de duas fontes secundárias em bases de dados georreferenciados. Por um lado, o Ministério de Minas e Energia, através do Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral (DNPM), através do Sistema de Informações Geográficas de Mineração (SIGMINE), com as informações exigidas para o licenciamento mineral no Brasil. Por outro lado, o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) com as variáveis do Censo Demográfico 2000 e da Sinopse do Censo Demográfico 2010, além dos shapefiles com a delimitação espacial dos dados em diferentes níveis de desagregação. Entre os Censos 1991 e 2000, a mecanização da extração mineral reduziu significativamente o volume de trabalhadores ocupados no setor. Mas a dinâmica de "bolha demográfica", rápido ciclo de ocupação e esvaziamento populacional das áreas associadas ao garimpo, é apenas um dos processos possíveis. Na área de estudo, os municípios mais populosos e urbanizados concentram grande parte das áreas outorgadas pelo DNPM. Nesse caso, o volume de minério encontrado e a vida útil das jazidas exploradas foram capazes de atrair grandes investimentos para a região, porém, estes priorizaram a geração de riquezas, ao invés de expandir o acesso aos serviços de saneamento básico. O retrato das condições de vida da população revelou, com base nas características de infraestrutura domiciliar, uma situação de extrema carência na Mesorregião Sudeste Paraense
Abstract: Mineral exploration in the Amazon must be understood as an agent of occupation of Brazilian last frontier. This research analyzes the significance of mining sector in the municipalities of Pará State southeastern region, discussing the demographic and environmental implications arising from the process of occupation by this economic activity. Although the acute effects of this activity are cyclical - with the discovery, exploitation and exhaustion of deposits are succeeding with variable speed - there are impact measures that can be learned over time. The discovery and exploitation of a mineral deposit affects demographic processes, making changes in population structure, which remain even after the reduction or finish of exploration. Remains of that particular process of land use and land cover change were investigated by overlapping two secondary sources of georeferenced databases: the Ministry of Mines and Energy, through the National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM), through a Geographic Information System Mining (SIGMINE) with the information required in the processes required for mining exploration in Brazil. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) provides the variables and the Census 2000 and the Census Summary 2010, in addition with shapefiles with the spatial delimitation of population data at different levels of disaggregation. Between 1991 and 2000 Censuses, the mechanization of mining significantly reduced the number of workers employed in the sector. But the dynamics of "demographic bubble", rapid cycle of occupation and emptying of the areas associated with mining, is just one of possible relationships. In thy study area, the most populated and urbanized municipalities had a higher concentration of areas required for mining industry. In this case, the volume of ore and other minerals found and explored deposits were able to attract large investments to the region, however, they prioritized the creation of wealth rather than expanding access to basic sanitation services. The living conditions defined by the characteristics of household infrastructure revealed an extreme shortage of the population south of Pará
Mestrado
Demografia
Mestre em Demografia
39
Arie, Naftali Hawu Hede. "Development and application of geobotanical remote sensing methods for mineral exploration in thick vegetation areas." 京都大学 (Kyoto University), 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2433/204588.
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Coward, R. N. "A statistical appraisal of regional geochemical data from the Southwest Pacific for mineral exploration." Thesis, Imperial College London, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/37979.
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Makvandi, Sheida. "Indicator mineral exploration methodologies for VMS deposits using geochemistry and physical characteristics of magnetite." Doctoral thesis, Université Laval, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/26566.
Full textAbstract:
Pour évaluer le potentiel de la magnétite en tant que minéral indicateur des dépôts de Sulfures Massifs Volcanogènes (SMV), la composition des éléments traces et les caractéristiques (morphologie, taille des grains et textures de surface) de la magnétite provenant de différents contextes ont été investiguées. Les caractéristiques physiques et les associations minérales de la magnétite du dépôt d’Izok Lake (Nunavut, Canada), de la roche encaissante et du till recouvrant la zone à proximité ont été étudiés en utilisant la microscopie optique, le Microscope Électronique à Balayage (MEB) et l’Analyseur de Libération Minérale (MLA). Les résultats permettent de distinguer la magnétite magmatique, métamorphique et supergène dans un environnement de SMV, et indiquent que 1) la taille des grains de magnétite et leur relation texturale avec les associations minérales caractérisent la roche encaissante, 2) l’angularité de la magnétite du till est indicatrice de la forme originel du minérale, et 3) les textures de surface de la magnétite détritique sont diagnostiques des processus affectant les grains durant l’érosion, le transport, et après la déposition dans les sédiments glaciaire. La composition de la magnétite provenant d’Izok Lake (Nunavut, Canada) et d’Halfmile Lake (Nouveau-Brunswick, Canada) et de leurs roches encaissantes a été étudiée en utilisant le MEB, la microsonde électronique, et l’ablation laser- spectrométrie de masse à plasma à couplage inductif (LA-ICP-MS). Les données censurées ont été transformées en utilisant la routine R robCompositions, puis converties en utilisant les log-ratios centrés pour éviter tout effet de fermeture. L’analyse en Composantes Principales (ACP) permet de discriminer différents types de roche encaissantes et des dépôts basés sur la teneur de la magnétite en Si, Ca, Zr, Al, Ga, Mn, Mg, Ti, Zn, Co, Ni et Cr. Les données de composition de la magnétite de seize dépôts SMV (mafique, bimodal mafique, bimodal felsique, felsique-silicoclastique), et de trois Formations de Fer Rubanées (FFR) associés à des SMV ont été investiguées par analyse discriminante par les moindres carrés partiels (PLS-DA) pour distinguer les différentes compositions de magnétite basées sur les teneurs en Si, Ca, Al, Mn, Mg, Ti, Zn, Co et Ni. Le résultat indique quatre types de magnétite en association avec les dépôts de SMV: magmatique, hydrothermale, métamorphique, et la magnétite zonée. L’analyse des données par PLS-DA sépare la magnétite des SMV et BIF des autres types de gites minéraux. Les analyses en PCA et PLS-DA des échantillons de la roche encaissante/dépôt SMV et FFR produisent un modèle de discrimination de la composition de la magnétite dans le till qui peut être utilisé pour identifier, en exploration minérale, la magnétite dérivée de l'érosion d'un SMV par un glacier.To evaluate the potential of magnetite as an indicator mineral for Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits, trace element compositions and physical characteristics (morphology, grain size, and surface textures) of magnetite from various VMS settings were investigated. Physical characteristics and mineral associations of magnetite from the Izok Lake deposit (Nunavut, Canada), its host bedrocks, and till covering the nearby area were studied using optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA). The results distinguish magmatic, metamorphic and supergene magnetite in the VMS setting, and indicate that 1) the grain-size distribution of magnetite and its textural relationships with mineral associations fingerprint the host bedrocks, 2) the angularity of magnetite in till is indicative of the original shape of the mineral, and 3) the surface textures of detrital magnetite are diagnostic of processes affecting grains during erosion, transport, and after deposition in glacial sediments. Variation in magnetite composition from the Izok Lake (Nunavut, Canada) and Halfmile Lake (New Brunswick, Canada) deposits and their host rocks were studied using SEM, Electron Probe Micro-Analyzer (EPMA), and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The data were transformed for censored values using the R-package robCompositions. Transformed data were converted using centered log-ratio to overcome the closure effect, and then were investigated by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to discriminate different rock/deposit samples based on Si, Ca, Zr, Al, Ga, Mn, Mg, Ti, Zn, Co, Ni and Cr contents of magnetite. The data from sixteen VMS deposits from four subtypes (mafic, bimodal-mafic, bimodal-felsic, and felsic-siliciclastic), and three VMS-associated Banded Iron Formations (BIF) were also investigated by Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA). PLS-DA to distinguish different compositions of magnetite based on Si, Ca, Al, Mn, Mg, Ti, Zn, Co and Ni contents. The results indicate four types of magnetite in association with VMS deposits: 1) magmatic, 2) hydrothermal, 3) metamorphic, and 4) zoned magnetite. PLS-DA separates VMS and VMS-associated BIF magnetite from that of other mineral deposit types including Ni-Cu, porphyry, IOCG and IOA deposits. PCA and PLS-DA of magnetite data from VMS bedrock/deposit and BIF samples yield discrimination models that can be used to classify magnetite compositions in till samples for mineral exploration.
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Moncada, de la Rosa Jorge Daniel. "Application of Fluid Inclusions and Mineral Textures in Exploration for Epithermal Precious Metals Deposits." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36164.
Full textAbstract:
Fluid inclusion and mineralogical features indicative of boiling have been characterized in 855 samples from epithermal precious metals deposits along the Veta Madre at Guanajuato, Mexico. Features associated with boiling that have been identified at Guanajuato include colloform texture silica, plumose texture silica, moss texture silica, ghost-sphere texture silica, lattice-bladed calcite, lattice-bladed calcite replaced by quartz and pseudo-acicular quartz after calcite and coexisting liquid-rich and vapor-rich fluid inclusions. Most samples were assayed for Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, As and Sb, and were divided into high-grade and low-grade samples based on the gold and silver concentrations. For silver, the cutoff for high grade was 100 ppm Ag, and for gold the cutoff was 1 ppm Au. The feature that is most closely associated with high grades of both gold and silver is colloform texture silica, and this feature also shows the largest difference in grade between the presence or absence of that feature (178.8 ppm Ag versus 17.2 ppm Ag, and 1.1 ppm Au versus 0.2 ppm Au). For both Ag and Au, there is no significant difference in average grade as a function of whether or not coexisting liquid-rich and vapor-rich fluid inclusions are present.
The textural and fluid inclusion data obtained in this study were analyzed using the binary classifier within SPSS Clementine. The models that correctly predicted high versus low grade samples most consistently (â 70-75% of the tests) for both Ag and Au were the neural network, the C5 decision tree and Quest decision tree models. For both Au and Ag, the presence of colloform silica texture was the variable with the greatest importance, i.e., the variable that has the greatest predictive power.
Boiling features are absent or rare in samples collected along a traverse perpendicular to the Veta Madre. This suggests that if an explorationist observes these features in samples collected during exploration that an environment favorable to precious metal mineralization is nearby. Similarly, good evidence for boiling is observed in the deepest levels of the Veta Madre that have been sampled in the mines and drill cores, suggesting that additional precious metal reserves are likely beneath the deepest levels sampled.
Master of Science
43
Kujjo, Cosmas Pitia. "MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN." UKnowledge, 2019. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ees_etds/64.
Full textAbstract:
South Sudan, a new country formed in 2011, has been planning to develop its mineral sector by allocating exploration licenses to investors. This decision requires preliminary knowledge of geology and mineral occurrences, both of which are unavailable because the country has been engaged in a civil war for more than 50 years. Exploration of mineral resources in South Sudan has lagged behind its petroleum industry, except for artisanal gold mining, which is practiced intermittently by local communities. Freely available satellite gravity and remote-sensing data were used to map the basement architecture as well as zones of hydrothermal alteration in the Didinga Hills; both basement architecture and hydrothermal alteration are of prime importance in exploration and development of mineral resources in the study area. Qualitative interpretation of gravity data is consistent with the known geology of petroleum fields and the Precambrian basement complex. Remote-sensing data and techniques—optimal band combination, band ratioing, and principal component analysis—have been effective in extracting information related to lithology, hydrothermal alteration, and geologic structures. The resulting basic information and methods have identified additional prospective exploration areas where more detailed gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, and seismic surveys should be carried out; this will assist decision makers in matters related to land use, mineral titles, and exploration of natural resources, and lead to prosperity for the new nation of South Sudan.
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Mokaramian, Amir. "Design of a small down hole motor for deep hard rocks mineral exploration drilling." Thesis, Curtin University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/405.
Full textAbstract:
In this research a small size downhole turbine motor was designed to be used in coiled tube drilling for applications in mineral exploration. The motor should provide a very high output rotation speed as it is used for drilling hard rocks. Numerical simulations using ANSYS was carried out in this study to model fluid flow and mechanical integrity of the designed motor. The optimum design was proposed for drilling using water and air as drilling fluids.
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Huang, Xiaoyan, and n/a. "Biogeochemical techniques for environmental monitoring and mineral exploration : a case study at the Temora Gold Mine." University of Canberra. School of Resource, Environmental & Heritage Sciences, 1998. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060726.170405.
Full textAbstract:
Biogeochemistry has been utilized successfully in Australia as a regional or fellow-up
geochemical exploration techniques in the arid terranes of Australia. This Master's
study is based on the biogeochemistry approach, which relies on the chemical analysis
of plant tissues to obtain information on the geology and geochemistry of the
underlying rocks. The project involved the systematic sampling and chemical analysis
of plant materials and the supporting soils to establish the suitability of using
particular tree species for environmental monitoring and their potential as a sample
medium in geochemical exploration in the vicinity of the Temora Gold Mine, NSW,
Australia.
Working on 168 plant tissues (leaves, twigs and bark) in 54 plants species from 8
families at the three sites of background area, mineralized area and tailings area, and
54 supporting soil samples from three strata of 0-5 cm, 20-30 cm, and 30-40 cm,
found that there was a good agreement between soil geochemistry and plant
geochemistry on the result of a strong geochemical association between Au and As.
The As-Au pattern was suggestive of the presence of the Au-As mineralization.
Black cypress pine (Callitris endlicheri) LEAVES show a higher ratio of Asminjn/Aumin
in the mineralized area than ASbkg/Aubkg in the background area, up to 7 times. The
research finding suggests that the LEAVES of Black cypress pine (Callitris
endlicheri) have a potential to be a biogeochemical sample medium as better
indicators for Au. Golden wattle (Acacia pycnantha) BARK and Yellow box (E.
melliodora) BARK appear to be better indicators for Au but more research is required.
The most occurrence of anomalies of As, Au, Sb, Cu and Fe were found in Red box
(E. polyanthemos) BARK. Red box (E. polyanthemos) BARK may have the potential
to be an Au indicator in the area when Red box (E. polyanthemos) is present.
Results on test-tolerant plants show that Eucalyptus species: Red box (E.
polyanthemos), Coral gum (E. torquata), and Yellow box (E. melliodora) have a
higher rate of uptake trace elements from the tailings soils. Therefore, Eucalyptus
family generally adapted to metal-rich soils and can be used as cleaning-up indicators
and environmental monitors for the tailings area of metal contaminated soils in the
Temora Gold Mine.
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Ahmadi, Omid. "Application of the Seismic Reflection Method in Mineral Exploration and Crustal Imaging : Contributions to Hardrock Seismic Imaging." Doctoral thesis, Uppsala universitet, Geofysik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-259396.
Full textAbstract:
The seismic reflection method has been used extensively in mineral exploration and for imaging crustal structures within hardrock environments. In this research the seismic reflection method has been used and studied to address problems associated with hardrock settings. Papers I and II, address delineating and imaging a sulfide ore body and its surrounding rocks and structures in Garpenberg, central Sweden, at an active mine. 3D ray-tracing and finite-difference modeling were performed and the results suggest that although the detection of the ore body by the seismic reflection method is possible in the area, the presence of backfilled stopes in the mine makes seismic imaging of it difficult. In paper III the deeper structures of the Pärvie fault system in northern Sweden were revealed down to about 8 km through 2D seismic reflection profiling. The resulting images were interpreted using microearthquake data as a constraint. Based on the interpretation, some locations were suggested for future scientific deep drilling into the fault system. In paper IV, the seismic signature of complex geological structures of the Cue-Weld Range area in Western Australia was studied using a portion of a deep 2D seismic reflection profile. The pronounced reflections on the seismic images were correlated to their corresponding rock units on an available surface geological map of the study area. 3D constant velocity ray-tracing was performed to constrain the interpretation. Furthermore, the proposed structural model was tested using a 2D acoustic finite-difference seismic modeling method. Based on this study, a new 3D structural model was proposed for the subsurface of the area. These studies have investigated the capability of the seismic reflection method for imaging crustal structures within challenging hardrock and complex geological settings and show some its potential, but also its limitations.
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Pizarro, Pavez Paulina Ignacia. "Gas-transported elements as an exploration technique under post-mineral cover: Atlántida deposit and surroundings." Tesis, Universidad de Chile, 2016. http://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/138421.
Full textAbstract:
Magíster en Ciencias, Mención GeologíaGeóloga)
Soil gas sampling technique by means of passive collectors devices (OreHound®) was carried out over the Atlántida porphyry deposit, located in the Atacama Region of northern Chile. Atlántida is a porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit with adjacent development of skarn, in the contact between intrusives and limestones, and it is almost completely covered by post-mineral pediment gravels, ranging from 5-80 meters in thickness. Because of the wide combination of preexistent analysis (38 drillcores, surface mapping, surface geochemistry and geophysical data) plus the known of extent and its location in an arid climate, Atlántida is a suitable place to test the usefulness of gas sampling through collectors and figure if it is effective at reducing an exploration area to the scale of the deposit. Furthermore, the combination of high seismicity and hyper-aridity makes this region ideal for employing the anomalies in prospecting for concealed mineral deposits (Cameron et al., 2002). A total of 234 collectors were installed over Atlántida and surroundings and, after three months in the field, were retrieved and analyzed by ALS Chemex by their Super Trace aqua regia technique (ME-MS41L). From basic statistics of the results, it was determined that there is clear capture of signal to present real time processes, evidenced by lower and higher concentrations than the blanks. To localize contrast anomalies, univariate and multivariate methods are used in this study in order to define background and anomalous concentrations. Rabbit ear anomaly patterns were obtained in two WE profiles sections above Atlántida. Semi-anular anomaly patterns were obtained in the factor analysis interpolation maps and in the raw data ordinary cokriging interpolation maps above Atlántida. In particular, the elements Cu, Mn, Pb, Rb and Sr showed background values over the concealed deposit and positive anomalous values adjacent to it. On the other side, Zn showed a positive contrast anomaly over the deposit with background concentrations around it. Such patterns are believe to represent present oxidation processes and are most likely explained in terms of chemical dispersion mechanisms. Another factor shaping the surficial gas anomalies found in this study is the existence of preferential pathways (faults and/or fractures) through which gases move from underground upward to the surface.
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Hornsby, John Keith Carleton University Dissertation Geology. "A knowledge-based model for the integration of remote sensing into a mineral exploration program." Ottawa, 1990.
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Stanley, Michael Clare. "A quantitative estimation of the value of geoscience information in mineral exploration: Optimal search sequences." Diss., The University of Arizona, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/186863.
Full textAbstract:
This research provides quantitative estimates of value of geoscience information in the exploration for porphyry copper deposits of Arizona. As part of the study, an expert system named DISCOVERY is designed to integrate geological models, statistical decision theory, and mineral economics within a Monte Carlo simulation framework. The system requires, for each exploration survey, a probability that a simulated deposit will be detected. These detection probabilities are estimated using expert opinion from a panel of experienced geoscientists. This dissertation pioneers the application of influence allocation processes in geoscience, to alleviate criticisms associated with expert opinion. The work has five major focuses: (1) an adaptation of Grayson's (1960) exploration decision theory into a modified Bayesian framework; (2) the use of electronic brainstorming to define principal recognition features that define exploration deposit models; (3) the use of influence allocation voting tools to estimate detection probability by survey type and sampling intensity; (4) a comprehensive engineering cost model to derive the net present value of deposits simulated within the system; and (5) a comprehensive drilling model to describe optimal sampling intensity in regional exploration. The system operates using two models: (1) an estimate of the value of information based upon 'static' estimates; and (2) a 'dynamic' simulation model that replicates the activities of the exploration industry. The static model provides value estimates on a survey by survey basis, consistent with prevailing economic conditions. The dynamic model loosens the economic constraints in order to simulate exploration practices and determine the optimal sequence of search surveys. Collectively these two models provide estimates of the value of information derived from exploration surveys and determine the optimum search strategy for porphyry copper deposits in Arizona. The static model produces estimates of net gain displaying a high level of consistency for each survey technology and sampling intensity across many thousands of iterations. The dynamic model does not produce satisfying results, requiring additional modifications to the Bayesian structure in order to better simulate exploration.
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Tichauer, Ricardo Marcelo. "Matriz de priorização aplicada à pesquisa mineral na pequena mineração." Universidade de São Paulo, 2016. http://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/3/3134/tde-20012017-162427/.
Full textAbstract:
Na mineração, grande parte das incertezas e riscos estão associados à caracterização geológica. A adoção das melhores práticas na pesquisa mineral resulta em menor risco e maiores eficácia e eficiência à operação, agregando valor ao empreendimento. No Brasil, em geral, a mineração em pequena escala emprega poucos recursos para a pesquisa mineral, e as melhores práticas são frequentemente ignoradas. Este trabalho aborda a incerteza geológica na mineração e como as melhores práticas de pesquisa mineral podem ser aplicadas na pequena mineração para diminuir riscos e incorporar valor ao projeto. A aplicação da Matriz de Priorização CEBIm em três projetos de pesquisa mineral em pequenos depósitos mostra como essa ferramenta pode ser utilizada de forma simples, prática, rápida e econômica para avaliação do nível de aderência do programa de pesquisa mineral às melhores práticas, que pode indicar a magnitude da incerteza geológica associada ao projeto.In mining, a large number of uncertainties and risks are associated with geological characterization. The adoption of best practices in mineral exploration results in lower risk and greater effectiveness and efficiency to the operation, adding value to the enterprise. In Brazil, in general, small-scale mining employs little resources for mineral exploration, and the best practices are often ignored. This work addresses the geological risks in mining and how best practices in mineral exploration can be applied in small mining to reduce risks and incorporate value to the project. The application of the CEBIm Priority Matrix in three projects of mineral exploration in small deposits shows how this tool can be utilized in a simple, practical, fast and economical way for assessment of the level of compliance of the mineral exploration program to the best practices, which can indicate the magnitude of geological uncertainty associated with the project.