The all-seeing eye

EXPLORATION
The all-seeing eye
UDP platform in use at
Pluton’s Irvine Island
iron ore project,
Western Australia
n 2011, exploration spending levels seem to
have been fairly healthy according to
available figures. In Australia, according to
the Australian Bureau of Statistics, despite the
imminent 22.5% mining tax, exploration
spending figures for the September 2011 quarter
for coal was up 12% to a new record high of
A$227 million, while spending on iron ore
exploration was up 9% to a new record high of
A$235 million. The total number of metres
drilled exploring for minerals climbed 28% in
the year to September 2011. Total minerals
exploration spending jumped 47%. Spending in
New South Wales, Queensland and South
Australia more than doubled. Exploration
spending in Victoria jumped 56%, and spending
in Western Australia 25%. However, the tax will
be an important consideration for the industry
going forward.
Elsewhere the picture is mixed. Recently
released figures for northern Canada from
Natural Resources Canada show that C$395.5
million was spent on mineral exploration in
Nunavut in 2011; C$309.2 million was spent in
the Yukon Territory, and C$81.1 million was
spent in the Northwest Territories. In Nunavut
and Yukon, mineral exploration companies are
spending more than previously projected, while
in the Northwest Territories, expenditures are
lower than projected. The diamond mining
industry is reaching a plateau and grassroots
exploration investment is lower than it has been.
In late November 2011, Metals Economics
Group (MEG) published its review of 2011
I
44 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
With an uncertain economic future, ever more remote
deposits in operationally challenging countries, as
well as more interest in other mined products from
potash to rare earths and lithium – Paul Moore
reports that the importance of the most accurate
exploration methods with the most advanced
technology and equipment continues to increase
exploration activity, and estimated the total 2011
budget for nonferrous metals (excluding iron
ore, aluminium, coal) exploration as having
surged to $18.2 billion. Despite increased
volatility in recent months, metals prices—the
primary driver of exploration spending—
remained relatively strong in 2011, say MEG.
This in turn has given confidence to the industry
and a resulting exploration budget increase by
$6.1 billion, up 50% from 2010 has set a new alltime high. It was also noted that the proportion
of overall exploration spending dedicated to
early-stage and generative work has been fairly
stable over the past three years; however, at just
a third of overall allocations it is historically low.
The decline in greenfield exploration has gone
hand in hand with an upward trend in
brownfield and near-mine exploration. However,
the number of large-scale assets advancing to
development has not risen proportionately due
to this increased focus on existing projects,
contributing to constraints on meaningful
production increases for most metals.
The following gives an overview of some of
the current solutions, strategies and products
utilised in the mineral exploration, from
helicopter surveys to new analyser technologies
and case studies from real projects.
Aerial and ground survey
For covering large areas early on in an
exploration project, aerial survey can be a very
cost-effective tool. SkyTEM is a time-domain
(TDEM) airborne geophysical system capable of
delivering accurate high resolution maps of
changes in geology from the very near surface
to depths of hundreds of metres. The SkyTEM
method is able to match the results of ground
based TDEM systems and is widely employed by
mineral exploration companies worldwide. High
signal to noise, all sensors positioned on the
carrier frame as close as possible to the target
and the latest time gates available are some of
the differences that contribute to the high
quality of the data.
SkyTEM systems are available in three
configurations based on the area of the
transmitter loop, namely 100, 300 and 500 m2,
and the most appropriate configuration for
depth and resolution required can be selected.
Preliminary data and 1D inversions can be
delivered the day data is acquired. The
SkyTEM101 is designed to map the very near
surface to a depth of approximately 100 m. The
system’s aerodynamic carrier frame reduces
vibrations and system noise. Bias-free data is
recorded at 8 microseconds (µsec) from the
beginning of turn-off yielding resolution in the
metre range. The system is also lightweight and
useful for operating at high altitudes. In more
gentle terrain the low weight allows for employment
of less costly helicopter platforms that together
with higher production speeds can result in
more economical surveys. Helicopter cost is
further reduced as there is no need for highaltitude calibration during the data collection
phase as required by conventional systems.
The SkyTEM304 is employed for mineral as
EXPLORATION
well as ground water exploration. The system is
unique due to the placement of all sensors on
the carrier frame minimising the distance from
the ground and ensuring all data is accurately
positioned. The system is based on a dualmoment transmitter, a null-position receiver coil
configuration and a transmitter able to turn off
current in the coil within microseconds. These
unique features allow the TDEM system to
provide detailed high resolution of resistive and
near surface layers in combination with a depth
of investigation in the range of 300 m as well as
bias-free data from about 10 μsec to 10
milliseconds (ms) which is beyond that possible
with all other systems currently, according to
SkyTEM Surveys.
The newly developed SkyTEM508 has an
increased transmitter moment of approximately
500,000 NAI with eight turns on a 500 m2 loop
for depths of investigation of 500 m or more.
The system was developed with a focus on
achieving a very high signal to noise ratio at the
late TDEM gate centre times. With the patented
dual-moment transmitter the system is able to
record data at late decay times – 15, 35 or even
60 ms and early gates from about 35 usec.
Aerial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging),
digital image and hyperspectral surveys support
mineral exploration project phases. Airborne
LiDAR can efficiently cover large and remote
areas to assess regional geomorphology to
support mineral exploration project phases.
LiDAR can effectively penetrate vegetation to
generate bare earth models to support mineral
exploration projects. This provides the means to
identify surficial expressions of geological zones
that are not visible in traditional photography.
Detailed topographic data obtained by LiDAR
surveys can help guide ground-based
exploration projects making them more efficient
and lowering environmental impact risks.
46 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
Flying a SkyTEM survey in Greenland
Airborne remote sensing solutions can also be
used in existing mines for brownfield
exploration and geotechnical assessments.
Engineers at Codelco Chuquicamata began
experimenting with first generation GPS
receivers in the 1990s, which was before there
were enough GPS satellites to provide adequate
and reliable coverage. Building on the initial use
of ground-based GPS receivers, the group’s
innovation took to the skies when Terra Remote
Sensing carried out an airborne LiDAR survey
over the main pit for the first time in the early
2000s. Codelco has since relied on airborne
LiDAR and integrated digital imagery to gain a
comprehensive and timely picture of the 3D
characteristics in the Chuquicamata pit and of
the surrounding infrastructure. When properly
coordinated, airborne surveys are non-intrusive
and have minimal impact on day-to-day
operations. For a mine of this size, ground based
surveys are not always a viable option for
obtaining a complete picture of the entire pit.
Additionally, LiDAR and digital imagery can be
collected simultaneously from an airborne
platform offering enhanced interpretability and
data collection efficiency. Terra has flown the pit
numerous times over the past decade, most
recently in 2011. Having the ability to collect
data over the entire pit in a short timeframe
facilitates rapid data turn-around times,
allowing pit engineers to conduct timely
geotechnical assessments. These pit-wide
assessments are then used to direct detailed
ground based studies using terrestrial LiDAR
systems operated by Codelco.
Different aerial surveys often require a
different approach and all airborne data is not
equal. Fixed wing platforms offer certain
advantages such as greater fuel efficiency; a
longer range and faster data collection,
however, in situations where elevation changes
are rapid such as large open pits (can be
approximately 1 km in elevation over a 1.5km
distance) or mountainous terrain using a fixed
wing platform at an operationally safe altitude
above ground level (flying distance from the top
of the pit) means the sensors’ distance to
ground can vary by more than a kilometre. This
variability in sensor to ground distance causes
inconsistencies in LiDAR point densities and
pixel resolutions. Helicopters can help to
mitigate these data inconsistencies as rotary
wing platforms have the manoeuverability to
‘contour fly’ over an open pit.
While airborne remote sensing is an
established method in generating geospatial
data for directing early stage resource
exploration, as costs and demands for higher
resolution increase, the use of these larger fixed
EXPLORATION
Airborne LiDAR survey at Chuquicamata
wing and helicopter-borne systems can become
more problematic. This led South Africa’s EXIGE
and its partners Geotec and others to develop
two unique and innovative solutions that they
believe are “years ahead of what is currently
offered and available.” The solutions are known
as GyroLAG and WASP, the former operational
since 2010 and in the field and the latter about
to join it. These are based on autogyros, which
have been around since the late 1920s but it is
only recently that one has been military
standard (MI) spec-designed and certified for
commercial rather than recreational use. Using
this safe and reliable platform and integrating a
variety of miniaturised sensor systems has
resulted in the GyroLAG, an advanced high
resolution survey system capable of
accommodating up to seven distinct remote
sensing technologies – horizontal gradient
magnetics, near infrared (NIR), gamma
spectrometry, scalar gravity, photo and video,
LiDAR and experimental Self Potential in a
certified purpose-designed aircraft. It can
achieve lower ground clearances (5 to 20 m)
than those commonly used with airborne
geophysics (60 to 100 m) resulting in a
significant improvement in data content; a lower
survey speed (75 to 120 km/h) captures
significantly higher density data which is two to
three times that of a fixed wing and about equal
to or a little better than more costly helicopter
systems. It also has a short take off and landing
capability from a 50 m long dirt track or field,
eliminating the need for an airstrip; and can be
deployed to the survey site in a container or
trailer, reducing mobilisation/demobilisation
costs dramatically. The developers point to
lower operational costs consuming an average
of 21 l/h of unleaded petrol, at least five to ten
times lower than the typical airborne platform. It
is claimed to be inherently safe at operation in
low levels, low speeds and in remote operations
due to being in permanent autorotation making
it impossible for the autogyro to go into a slow
speed stall.
Bill Thuma at Geotec comments: “Specific
applications of the GyroLAG are
collecting magnetic and
radiometric geophysical data,
mapping detailed geology and
geological features including
lithology, structure, intrusions,
alteration and in some instances
potential economic mineral
occurrences, LiDAR mapping
power and pipe line corridors,
assessing forest resources and agricultural
conditions, surveying geo-hazards, recording
both natural and man-made disasters, and
delimiting property boundaries, infrastructure
and geomorphic features.”
GyroLAG is operational and available
worldwide for commercial contract services
since 2010. WASP is a proven commercial-grade
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) specially
equipped to conduct low level, low speed
surveys using miniaturised sensor systems
much like the GyroLAG. Programmed and
operated by a ground ‘pilot’ or flown
autonomously, the WASP can survey for up to
two hours at a cruise speed of 90 km/h and a
GyroLAG should allow much
more flexibility and safety in
aerial survey work
FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 47
EXPLORATION
The new ARES IP/resistivity tool from GF
Instruments
survey speed on the order of 30-50 km/h. When
equipped with a magnetometer it generates
data at a sampling rate of 250 Hz.
In terms of new exploration instrument
development, a new model for resistivity and IP
tomography was developed in 2011 by GF
Instruments. The company has introduced a new
standard version of its popular ARES instrument
for resistivity and IP tomography equipped with
an extra powerful transmitter (2000 Vp-p / 5A/
850W). The unit can be supplied either from a 12
v battery or from a generator via AC/DC
convertor, keeping full transmitter performance
both for multi-electrode cable measurement and
for VES. As a result, the easily portable ARES
system can be used for heavy duty surveys and
also under extra high or low ground resistances
reaching significantly enhanced depth ranges of
investigation and noise resistance. However,
ARES remains a traditionally lightweight system
and is installed in a compact waterproof casing.
In new technology development, Abitibi
Geophysics has entered into an agreement with
RMIT University to fund the development of the
ARMIT B-field and dB/dt sensor for ground and
borehole geophysical data acquisition. A threecomponent sensor was in field testing in early
2012 and a field test on an early prototype was
conducted in Utah in August 2011. This showed
that the ARMIT sensor, which operates at
ambient temperatures, is quieter than
published noise figures for High Temperature
SQUID sensors and spheric noise. The ARMIT
sensor is a three component, compact, rugged
unit, which weighs only 3 kg, is low to the
ground, and can be ‘firmly placed’ on the ground
without the need for levelling.
During 2011 Abitibi Geophysics also expanded
its operations outside Canada, carrying out
borehole electromagnetics (EM) surveys in
Portugal and Ireland and hole-to-hole 3D IP
projects in Mexico, Honduras and Ghana. The
company also entered into a joint venture with
Terratec Geoservices of Heitersheim, Germany
and completed sonic logging projects in
Portugal and Ireland and an extensive physical
properties logging project on a potash
development property in Eritrea. Ground TDEM
surveys were conducted in Ethiopia and gravity
surveys in Mali and Ireland. Abitibi now offers a
full suite of physical properties logging and
borehole optical scanning services in North
America.
In addition, the group is now offering
borehole gravity surveys for mineral exploration
using the Scintrex Gravilog slim-hole gravity
probe. The importance of borehole gravity is its
ability to provide diagnostic mapping of density
variations around a borehole. This means that
any electromagnetic in-hole or off-hole anomaly
can be tested to determine if there is a
corresponding volume of high density material.
Abitibi told IM: “The prudent use of borehole
gravity will save exploration companies money
and time. Abitibi Geophysics with partner
Terratec Geoservices now provides borehole
gravity surveys in Europe and Africa.”
Minor metals/REE case study – SRK Exploration Services
SRK Exploration Services (ES) was commissioned in 2010 by Australian
explorer Ram Resources to assist with the review and acquisition of the
Motzfeldt tantalum-niobium project in South Greenland. SRK ES
undertook a detailed assessment and due diligence on the data available
for this project, thought to be one of the world’s largest occurrences of TaNb hosted in altered syenites. Motzfeldt is part of the Gardar Alkaline
Province, located in a remote and mountainous sub-Arctic area with
access possible only by helicopter. The project was previously explored by
Angus & Ross.
In the summer of 2010, SRK ES mobilised an Arctic-experienced team to
undertake a drilling, trenching and sampling programme that highlighted
the limited nature of previous exploration, expanded known
mineralisation considerably and identified significant REE mineralisation
that had previously been overlooked. Further exploration including
drilling, surface sampling and geological mapping was completed in 2011.
Some of the highlights from recent drilling include 192.5 m at 2,210 ppm
Nb2O5, 275 ppm Ta2O5 and 0.3% total Rare Earth Oxides. These grades are
comparable with previous drill results on the project, and yet have
expanded the drilled strike length to 600 m in length and around 250 m in
width. Surface sampling suggests that the total potential strike length
could be around 1.5 km.
Ram Resources then acquired a much larger (568 km2) exploration
licence in 2011, surrounding the Motzfeldt project. Following a target
generation exercise, SRK ES designed and implemented an intensive
helicopter-based regional sampling and geophysical programme over this
licence. This resulted in the identification of four new areas of Ta-Nb-REE
mineralisation in a range of geological settings. Two of these are very
significant and potentially represent targets with similar grades and
covering similar areas to Motzfeldt itself. One of them, the Voskop target,
48 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
SRK ES
conducted a
helicopterbased regional
sampling and
geophysics
program
is also relatively enriched in REEs and is located such that it could be
developed alongside a future mine at Motzfeldt.
SRK ES also designed specific sampling, assaying and quality control
procedures in cooperation with a range of laboratories to best assess
what are very complex elements and matrix styles in the most efficient
manner. For regional grassroots exploration, this included field
preparation of samples and analysis with a portable XRF. This was key to
the identification of new exploration targets during the field season and
allowed for immediate follow-up work without the lengthy wait for
laboratory results.
SRK Consulting (UK), working alongside SRK ES, will soon start work
on the first Inferred Resource for the project. Further drilling is planned for
2012 to expand this potential resource and to further investigate the new
regional exploration targets identified in 2011. Ram Resources is a small
company with limited in-house geological expertise. By working with SRK
ES, they benefit from the services of an experienced multi-disciplinary
team that has enhanced the understanding of this unique and challenging
geological region. SRK ES is also now registered on the Central Business
Register in Greenland. This is a requirement for any company that works
on behalf of a licence holder in Greenland.
EXPLORATION
Heart of the Atlas Copco Excore system
showing patented transition system
between surface and pump in applications
and patented automatically
engaging safety mechanism
Drilling and mobility
Accessing new exploration markets is important
in today’s environment. Global exploration
products major Sandvik and Cortech have
signed an agreement under which Cortech will
distribute Sandvik exploration tooling (RC and
coring drill rods, bits, wireline and exploration
products) and will be the agent in China for
Sandvik exploration drill rigs. A collaboration
agreement was also signed under which the two
companies will utilise commercial and technical
synergies of both companies. This is the first
stage of planned long-term commercial and
technical cooperation in many fields, including
joint R&D, manufacturing and sales. Cortech is
the largest manufacturer of fully hydraulic
modern exploration drill rigs in China. Sandvik
and Cortech are now actively working to
formalise the alliance and collaboration that will
focus on R&D, manufacturing and marketing.
The statement said: “This alliance will allow
clients to enjoy better service and more
advanced equipment and tooling from both
companies. The close cooperation between
Sandvik and Cortech will allow both parties to
utilise their resources and networks for the
benefit of the global exploration drilling industry.”
Atlas Copco has brought several new
products to the market, including the new
Christensen CT20 core drilling rig that replaces
the Christensen CS3001 and Christensen
CS4002. The
CT20 is now the most
powerful rig in the Atlas range but
remains easy to operate. This rig also has a
new feed system that will further enhance the
high productivity. The CT20 has the drill capacity
of 2,450 m and has a newly designed control
panel is very easy to use with multiple
automated functions.
The group has also been seeing success with
its new Excore line of ITH drilling tools. Service
de Forage Orbit-Garant Drilling, one of the
largest Canadian-based drilling companies, is a
customer for the new solution, which introduces
a newly configured head assembly and
improved safety overshot to its fleet of drilling
rigs. The head assembly is adaptable for both
surface and underground rigs, and the improved
safety overshot features an automatic
mechanism that doesn’t need to be manually
engaged by the drilling crew. “They saw the
problems that we were facing with the old
technology and they came up with solutions,”
said Jacques Proulx, Service de Orbit-Garant’s
Operation General Manager. Service de Forage
Orbit Garant operates 185 drills and employs
approximately 900 employees throughout its
international drilling operations. The company
was contending with delays and downtime due
to mix-ups at job sites between parts for
underground and surface applications. With
Excore, it is now able to use the same parts for
both applications. The new head, features a
change out of the two seals from surface to
underground, resulting in less wear on parts,
fewer repairs and reduced downtime. The back
Excore inner tube assembly about to be sent
back for another drill run after 1,200 m of use
ttel.
el. +358 207 430 660, fax +358 207 430 661, w
www.oykatiab.com
ww.o
. ykatiab.com
50 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
end never needs any maintenance, and its
design makes it less complicated to fix. The
company has used the Excore multi use head
assembly for both surface and underground
applications, drilling more than 12,000 m in both
applications without having to make any repairs
or change any parts. The new auto-safe
overshot, which is automatic and doesn’t need
to be engaged manually by the drilling crew, is
not only far safer but more efficient. This is
because the process of retrieving the core
doesn’t have to stop while pulling the inner tube.
For a number of years, the virtues of sonic
drilling versus other methods have been
becoming more widely known in mineral
exploration. The main supplier of the technology
and equipment, Boart Longyear has now taken a
EXPLORATION
major step by offering sonic drilling rigs on the
open market, which were previously proprietary
to their Drilling Services division. IM Editor Paul
Moore spoke exclusively to Kevin Tomaszewski,
Director of Global Product Management and
Marketing Communications at the company,
about this development. In terms of its
application versus other methods, he
commented: “Sonic drilling is an excellent
technique for mineral exploration,
environmental and infrastructure drilling in
unconsolidated and soft ground conditions.
Whereas these are often chronic problems for
other drilling methods, sonic drilling frequently
delivers exceptional core recovery, maintaining
sample integrity. As the preferred method when
there are concerns with using fluids, sonic
technology can be used effectively to drill heap
leach pads, acquire bulk samples, drill in mine
dumps and difficult environmental drilling.”
There is also a market for sonic drilling in precollaring work, particularly where there is deep,
dense overburden that overlays ore bodies.
Sonic technology can penetrate these
formations faster, and even provide valuable
information, before switching to another method
like diamond coring.
In terms of why Boart Longyear has chosen
this juncture to make the equipment available, the
company states that it strives to always bring the
best technology to the market: “Over the years,
The LS600 sonic drilling rig can deliver results
in conditions where other equipment fails
our customers have inquired about the drills as
a clean, undeviated alternative to other drilling
methods. As an integrated drilling company,
we’ve thoroughly tested sonic technology in the
field in multiple applications with our Drilling
Services division. Consequently, our LS600
sonic drill rig is the culmination of nearly 20
years of in-field experience. We’re going to be
offering sonic technology in an effort to provide
solutions for all drilling applications, and we’re
confident this will be another valuable method
for our customers.”
The LS600 sonic rig will feature a pneumatic
isolation system inside the head, preventing
resonant energy from transmitting to the drill
rig. This directs the maximum amount of energy
down the drill string to the face of the bit for
improved penetration rates. Casing will be
offered in diameters of 4.75 in to 12 in and core
barrels of 3.75 in to 10.5 in while the drill rods
will be 3.5 in and come in upset and standard
diameters. A full line of bits, shoes, tooling and
accessories will complement the LS600 rig,
including Boart’s patented Clam Shell drill rod
management system. The LS600 is capable of a
drilling depth of up to 182 m and a maximum
hole width of 12 in.
Responding to the increasing demand for
deeper holes, Ingetrol is boosting its capacities
on several of its models in 2012 including the
Explorer Plus MD4, Explorer 1500 and Explorer
2500, as well as introducing the Explorer 1200.
The internationally recognised portable rig
Explorer Plus MD4 will double its hydraulic
capacity while maintaining its maximum module
weights of 250 kg. Featuring a belt-driven H
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FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 51
EXPLORATION
Chuck with synchronisation, the Explorer Plus
MD4 will now be able to deliver depths of up to
900 m in Ø NW/L and 600 m in Ø HW/L. The
first of these improved rigs was due to be
delivered in Mexico in February 2012.
Ingetrol’s Explorer 1500, ideally mounted on a
crawler or truck, is also more powerful with a
236 hp turbo diesel engine and a chain-driven P
Chuck, reaching depths of up to 1,100 m in Ø
NW/L, 750 m in Ø HW/L and 500 m in Ø PW/L.
Furthermore the Explorer 2500 will now feature
a 275 hp turbo diesel motor and a gear-driven P
Chuck, to drill up to 2,300 m. in Ø N W/L, 1,500
m. in Ø H W/L and 1,050 m. in Ø P W/L. The
Explorer 2500 is a multi-purpose rig that in
addition to diamond core drilling, can perform
reverse circulation drilling. Finally for those not
requiring man portability or very deep holes,
Ingetrol is offering the new Explorer 1200D,
featuring a chain-driven P Chuck and a 160 hp
turbo diesel motor, and reaching depths of up to
700 m in Ø N W/L, 500 m in Ø HW/L and 300 m
in Ø PW/L.
In tools and rig operations developments,
Fordia has just launched its new patent-pending
underground drilling system; the OWL Self-Lock
Underground. This new coring device benefits
from the success of the OWL Self-Lock latching
mechanism, already proven to help avoid
mislatches in surface drilling conditions. The
main feature of this new underground head
assembly is its simpler mechanism and design,
greatly lowering the amount of parts needed
and significantly reducing inventory and
maintenance costs. This new head travels faster
within the drill string due to reduced drag, and
can also be more safely engaged in the outer
tube, therefore saving precious uptime at every
run, and providing drillers with a safer working
environment. The company told IM: “For
companies drilling in both surface and
underground conditions, this head also features
another critical time-saving opportunity. A very
simple conversion allows the drilling company
to switch a conventional OWL Self-Lock head
into an Underground one from which
Oil shale case study – SRK Exploration Services
The Attarat Um Ghudran oil shale deposit is one of the largest oil shale
deposits currently known in Jordan. The oil shale seam with a maximum
thickness of 90 m is buried below up to 100 m of overburden material that
gives a favourable stripping ratio but still represents a costly exploration
exercise. Jordan Oil Shale Energy company (JOSE), the subsidiary of
Estonia’s Eesti Energia has been studying the deposit for the last four
years with the ultimate aim of developing an oil shale fired power project
and synthetic crude oil facility. Eesti Energia is the largest oil shale to
energy company in the world.
JOSE, along with SRK ES, the University of Tartu, the Tallinn University
of Technology and other partners have spent the last year assessing the
south-eastern block of their licence area in an attempt to define in excess
of 600 Mt of material at a heating value of 5.5 MJ/kg to source a power
production project for a minimum of 30 years. To achieve this aim an
integrated exploration approach was required that would push the current
boundaries of geological understanding. This involved core and open hole
drilling, careful geological mapping and understanding of lithologies,
seismic profiling, hydrogeological and geotechnical analysis. At the heart
of the successful exploration programme was a robust understanding of
the sequence stratigraphy and subsequent alteration and digenesis of the
Late Cretaceous Muwaqqar Formation and its physical and chemical
variability, vertically and laterally.
Central Jordan is located close to the Dead Sea Transform Fault System
and, coupled with the apparent loss of oil shale in some historical drill
holes within shallow wadi systems, SRK ES proposed a series of
geophysical surveys to understand the tectonics of the region to
supplement the direct drilling. Shallow seismic along with downhole
gamma logging was found to be of most benefit and helped to define a
thicker oil shale unit than predicted, deformed by north east trending
normal faulting and began to outline the distinct internal layering of the
oil shale seams.
This layering was further investigated through careful geological
logging and portable XRF analysis until a clear predictable stratigraphy
was defined that could be modelled. This involved five discrete oil shale
units numbered A through E, separated by chemically distinct barren
52 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
considerable savings on inventory management
can be reached.” The new OWL Self-Lock
Underground head assembly fits on standard
coring systems and requires no change to the
actual drilling set-ups to correct the core barrel’s
length (adaptor coupling), eliminating potential
mistakes as well as many conversion
headaches.
One of the new frontiers of mineral
exploration is the seabed, to date
overshadowed by the oil industry but in
minerals terms now more in the limelight. TransTasman Resources (TTR), in partnership with
New Zealand Diving and Salvage (NZDS) has
developed patented marine deep drilling
technology to manufacture drilling rigs capable
of taking 60 m seabed samples using RC,
diamond coring or rock coring technology. CEO
Paul Berend said existing coring equipment was
cumbersome and ineffective in the iron sandrich sediments off the west coast of New
Zealand’s North Island. “Our solution was to
develop a technology that could be operated
dolomitic limestone units.
Drill core analysis
The recognition of these
during Attarat Um
Ghudran oil shale
units, the presence of
exploration work
various digenesis within
certain units, along with
the identification of an
increased of silica/chert
input with depth will add to
the accurate modelling of
this stratigraphy for resource,
mine planning and future
blending schedule
purposes across both
power and oil project sites.
This understanding also
allowed for an important
observation; a proportion of
the overlying material,
originally classified as the
upper MCM Formation, was
in fact heavily weathered oil shale of the uppermost units, downgraded by
the removal of organic matter. This should aid in future studies and may exist
as an exploration potential when assessing less deeply weathered regions.
An understanding of the physical and chemical variability of the oil
shale was reached through the re-logging of historical drill holes and the
collection of nearly 9,800 m of new drilling, from which 6,600 m has been
drilled with cull core. Sufficient data quantity and quality was ensured by
drill programmes designed using Fischer assay variography and statistics
from historical data along with the implementation of a careful
exploration management systems and Competent Person supervision.
SRK in association with Dohmen, Herzog & Partner are currently in the
process of defining JOSE's first JORC compliant Mineral Resource
estimate. This resource, coupled with the knowledge gained from an
integrated exploration programme drawing upon new interpretation and
adapted techniques, now aims to target upgraded resources and
additional material toward a new power generation and oil retort project
in the heart of the Middle East.
EXPLORATION
from the very compact vessels operated by
NZDS in a turbulent marine environment. There
were three key requirements. The first was that
the rig had to be specifically for mineral
resource definition in compliance with JORC
guidelines, secondly it was essential that it was
very quick to deploy and retrieve, even in rough
seas, and finally it had to be low cost.” The
technology has been in use for two years, and
all requirements have been met, with two JORC
resource estimates reported.
The most recent, in August 2011, defined an
initial mineral resource equivalent to 200 Mt of
concentrate grading 60% Fe in weight. This
PhotoSat is now offering a drill hole collar
coordinate mapping service
mineral resource is compliant with JORC
guidelines and defined by Golders Associates on
the basis of drilling campaigns undertaken with
the new ultra-low cost drilling technologies
described. Paul Berend says TTR and NZDS
believe the technical solutions developed could
substantially reduce mineral exploration costs,
not just for iron sands, but for a whole range of
minerals, from gold to phosphates and mineral
sands. TTR is now in the process of offshore
drilling operations using medium (9 m seabed
samples) and deep drilling (60 m seabed
samples) and its mineral resource is expected to
increase.
TTR is a New Zealand company, established in
2007 to explore, assess and develop the
potential of the rich offshore iron-sand deposits
off the west coast of New Zealand. The company
believes there is a window of opportunity for
New Zealand to become a significant supplier of
quality vanadium-titanomagnetite concentrate
to Asian steel mills.
As stated, remote operations in poorly
mapped areas is a challenge for mineral
exploration groups. PhotoSat has developed a
new drill hole collar coordinate mapping service
designed for mining companies exploring in the
developing world. When mining companies
construct white crosses of painted stones or
other materials, centred on their drill hole
collars, PhotoSat can provide the companies
with highly accurate and verifiable drill hole
collar coordinates using high resolution stereo
satellite photos. This drill collar mapping service
has been developed for mining projects in the
developing world where there is often local
labour readily available to construct white stone
crosses over the drill collars, while competent
surveying is frequently costly and difficult to
A schematic of the TTR seafloor mining concept
obtain.This new drill hole coordinate mapping
service uses PhotoSat’s highly accurate,
proprietary, stereo satellite elevation mapping
process. “We developed the drill hole collar
mapping service in response to a strong
industry need for an accurate and verifiable
process to establish drill hole collar coordinates
on mining exploration projects in the developing
world,” says PhotoSat President Gerry Mitchell.
“For several years many of our customers have
been struggling to confirm the coordinates of
their drill hole collars on some of their remote
projects. On some of these projects the
companies have employed several different
teams of surveyors before achieving a
consistent set of drill hole collar coordinates.
Sometimes these surveying problems have
caused serious and costly delays in the
production of 43-101 reserve estimates and
feasibility studies, delaying company financing.
We have developed our stereo satellite drill hole
collar coordinate mapping service to help solve
this problem.” PhotoSat is a team of
geophysicists and associated geoscientists
specialising in the computer processing of high
definition elevation data from stereo satellite
photos.
In Australia, Pluton Resources has completed
its first commercial hire agreement for two
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FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 53
EXPLORATION
company-patented Universal Drilling Platforms.
The UDP is a modular platform that, when fully
assembled, has a ground disturbance of less
than 5 m2, much less than traditional
exploration equipment. A combination of a
turntable with adjustable legs allows optimum
orientation of the UDP to the land surface yet
easy reorientation of the drilling machinery to
drill in any single or multiple drilling directions.
This reduces the time and cost to the explorer in
locating and reorienting the drill rig. The UDP
can also be rotated by hand, allowing for safe
reorientation of machinery without the need for
extra equipment. The platform was developed to
deal with the challenges of drilling on steep
slopes and on uncleared land. It sits above the
ground on hydraulic legs so it can operate on
the side of hills without having to cut benches
into the ground.
The drilling platforms were hired to Winmax
Drilling to complete a two hole program near
Koolyanobbing in Western Australia for a
Canadian-listed junior exploration company. The
site was sensitive due to priority listed flora
including grasses and grevilleas that generally
only occur on the target iron formations.
Winmax was awarded the contract because of
the low environmental impact of the drill
platforms and the ability to work on a slope with
minimal ground disturbance (<5 m2). No site
excavations apart from the four footings are
required to prepare a drilling platform and all
equipment was mobilised by helicopter. The drill
sites were located on approximately 20° slopes
and 300 m apart with each drilling platform
providing safe working conditions on the remote
site. Pluton Managing Director Tony Schoer said:
“Although the first hire agreements have
currently yielded a modest return of
approximately A$25,000 for the drilling
platforms, it is pleasing that they are versatile
enough to be used on other exploration sites
with environmental or heritage sensitivities.
Several other companies continue to show
interest in our patented drill platform”. Pluton
Resources has also entered a commercial
licensing agreement with Marathon Resources
to use a UDP in the Arkaroola region of South
Australia.
Mobility for staff and lighter equipment is just
as important as getting rigs on site and in this
area, specialist vehicles can be used. The new
8x8 Centaur from off-road specialist ARGO has
been transformed into what the company calls
“a highly customisable asset” that can be used
as a means of transportation for both people
and equipment, while utilising the flexible rear
cargo area. The company states: “Work crews,
tools and equipment often have to move across
miles of undeveloped wilderness to prospect
new mine sites or inspect refining and delivery
54 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
SEI’s BATT solution could revolutionise fuel
delivery to remote sites
systems at any time of the year over an endless
variety of solid and aquatic terrain. The 8x8
Centaur is the most economic solution when
extreme, reliable and versatile off-road
performance is required.” The company offers a
drill-equipped model featuring the Hammerhead
Rock Tools and the ARGO Drill specifically
targeted at customers needing off-road mobility
for geological surveying and mineral
exploration. This specially equipped vehicle
comes complete with either a hydraulic or
pneumatic drill mast that can drill 2-4 in
diameter holes up to 200 ft deep. The drill can
also be detached from the ARGO and used in
man-portable mode.
Mobility also refers to materials and fuel to
power equipment at exploration and early stage
mining sites. With mining operations typically
located in remote areas with little infrastructure,
fuel supply becomes a critical commodity. For
the past few decades, the most common
solution has been to fly bulk fuel to site using
drums that were never designed for aircraft
interiors. Once the fuel was offloaded into
storage containers, the same aircraft then
departed with empty drums as its “paying”
cargo. This empty return flight doubled the
actual cost of fuel delivery simply because the
aircraft could not be utilised for any other
cargo.This has changed with the launch of a new
award-winning product, the Bulk Aviation
Transport Tank (BATT) from SEI Industries. Using
the BATT, once the fuel is offloaded, the tank is
simply folded or rolled up for storage. This
advantage cuts the cost of fuel delivery by
almost 50% and speeds up operations by
allowing the aircraft to carry cargo, such as core
samples, out on the return flight.
SEI believes BATT is the world’s first
collapsible, double-walled, baffled aviation
tank. BATTs are made from two main
components: a heavy duty, abrasion-resistant
outer tank (with a built-in strapping system that
also serves as secondary containment) and a
baffled inner tank. Customised to fit specific
aircraft interiors, BATTs allow operators to
maximise any aircraft’s load-carrying capacity.
Dead head flights (with no cargo or passengers)
are minimised because the BATT can be folded
up and stored when not in use. It also
eliminates aircraft damage or spills caused
when handling fuel drums and reduces the cost
of fuel spoilage while providing a cost saving to
operators who have often lost money because
they cannot return damaged drums. It
eliminates the need to dispose of empty drums
which are often abandoned because of the high
cost associated with removing them. This
prevents environmental impacts in remote and,
often, sensitive locations.
Although, in the past, only fuel drums were
allowed to transport fuel without special
permits, today, SEI Industries is the first
company to receive a Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Equivalency Certificate (SA
10638) from Transport Canada allowing the BATT
to be used without special permits for the
transportation of fuels. The company is also
pursuing FAA approval for the BATT. The BATT
comes in a range of sizes to fit various aircraft.
Currently, DC-3, MIL-17, Cessna Caravan, AN26,
AN32 and Twin Otter models are available.
Future sizes will accommodate the DC-6, Bell
412 and Hercules aircraft.
Software and GIS
As a global player, Gemcom Software is known
worldwide for the breadth of exploration
capabilities its software provides. Gemcom’s
geology and mine planning software packages
(Gemcom Surpac, Gemcom GEMS and Gemcom
Minex) offer many tools for exploration
professionals. These tools include geological,
seam and surface modelling, 3D data
visualisation, drillhole data management, data
interrogation, and more. The company’s
Gemcom Whittle software is used in scoping and
feasibility studies to determine the economic
viability of mining a deposit. In 2011 it released
Gemcom Hub, a data management solution for
exploration and production. Hub centralises,
synchronises, and enables the sharing of
exploration and mining data from drill holes to
mine planning output. Hub enables the rapid
transmission of large data files using the
Internet, even over intermittent, low-bandwidth
connections common to remote sites, making it
possible to share data where it was virtually
impossible to do so before. The company states:
EXPLORATION
A synchronisation screen from Gemcom Hub
“Hub closes the gap between a head office and
remote site, supporting the quick and easy
global transfer of data to enable skilled staff to
spend more time assisting the field without the
need for travel. It integrates seamlessly with the
existing stored data generated from the vast
majority of the industry’s exploration, mine
planning, and production software, and also
manages file output from common office
applications used by staff.” By centralising data
in Hub, critical project information is protected
and accessible to those who need it across the
enterprise. Optimised specifically for exploration
and mining data, Hub provides data auditing,
versioning, and easy searching (through the
inclusion of tagging) of exploration and mining
data files such as geological models, block
models, drill holes, schedules, image files, and
surveys. Hub’s intuitive searching and
versioning capabilities make it easy for users to
locate or recover the right information in a
controlled and auditable manner.
One user is Goldgroup in Mexico, which
realised it did not have the skilled labour
necessary to staff four different sites. By
applying Hub’s next generation software,
Goldgroup was able to centralise data;
overcome the limitations of a low-bandwidth
network thanks to rapid upload/download of
data (only changes to files are transmitted); and
secure, backup, and apply version control to
data. Benefits achieved include transparency
into operations at the four sites; centralisation
of limited staff to work on projects; and visibility
across projects for senior managers.
Gemcom also offers a wide variety of
exploration services, which are applied in
conjunction with its software. To assist clients
with their drill hole logging needs, Gemcom
offers drill hole data maintenance services
which include data import, auditing and
cleansing. It also offers custom core and lab
logging solutions which capture, store, organise
and secure data according to the specific needs
of individual companies and their projects.
Leapfrog 3D modelling software can now
interface directly with ALS Minerals Webtrieve
core data retrieval service for seamless
checking and verification
FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 55
EXPLORATION
Leapfrog 3D modelling software can now
interface directly with ALS Minerals Webtrieve
core data retrieval service for seamless checking
and verification. Leapfrog Mining, developed by
ARANZ Geo, is a fast, dynamic, 3D geological
modelling technology with innovative workflows
that the company states “enables the best
possible understanding of the geology.”
According to ARANZ Geo, Leapfrog enables
accurate and consistent visualisation of data
providing confidence in the interpretation and
modelling from early exploration to mine
remediation. Multiple hypotheses can be
explored, new data added and course
corrections made easily as the project proceeds.
Since it was first introduced in 2004 Leapfrog
has been adopted by a number of leading
mining and exploration companies. The
interaction of the two packages offers users
many distinct benefits. Leapfrog users can
56 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
seamlessly view source information as part of
the Leapfrog workflow, reducing interruptions
and optimising usability. The ALS user can
quickly visualise core data in 3D, which speeds
up interpretation, evaluation and understanding
of the data. This augmentation of Leapfrog &
Webtrieve is available now via Leapfrog’s latest
release. As part of the collaboration, ARANZ Geo
is offering a 30-day evaluation licence at no
cost, which can be requested on the Leapfrog
website. The ALS Webtrieve data retrieval
service itself has recently been expanded to
include core images from core photos. The core
photos are rendered into a single down-hole,
depth registered image. Geochemical data may
be plotted with this image, and anomalies
interrogated with respect to the core photo.
Photos at anomalous geochemical locations can
be magnified to view details of fracture density,
mineralogy, texture. The ALS Minerals service
includes long term, unlimited photo archival and
on-line viewing via the Webtrieve on-line data
system.
Once mines enter production, software
continues to help drive performance. Carlson
Mining 2012, released in September 2011, gives
users improved 3D abilities within its bench pit
design, added options for colour settings for
enhanced visual feedback in underground
timing sequencing, new haul truck cycle
analysis routines, new spoil placement timings,
and the ability to produce customised, more
professional reports among its many upgrades.
Carlson Mining is the number one software
solution for coal mine operations in the US.
Carlson Mining 2012 provides support for
AutoCAD 2012 and comes with IntelliCAD 7.0
built-in. This is in addition to working on
AutoCAD versions 2000 and onwards. Also
released at the same time is Carlson Natural
Regrade, which can be used to reclaim any
disturbed land and has been recommended by
the US Department of the Interior's Office of
Surface Mining (OSM) for mine reclamation.
With this release, a new Vegetation Scene tool
places 3D symbols for selected vegetation
based on slope and azimuth parameters for 3D
visualisation of the reclaimed site. Three
dimensional trees and shrubs can be placed into
the model to show what the reclamation will
look like at various growth stages.
Geovariances, the leading provider of
advanced geostatistical solutions for the
resource industry, is about to release the latest
version of its flagship geostatistics software
solution Isatis 2012. New to Isatis 2012 is a
feature long expected by geostatisticians and
exclusive to the software: an entirely automatic
variogram fitting tool. This tool is unique in the
world of geostatistics software as it is the only
one that handles complex variography and
allows quick and high-quality fitting of
multivariate, multi-directional and multistructure variograms.
Starting from a set of basic combinations of
structures defined by the user, the program
computes the best fit of the variogram model
against the input experimental variograms. The
algorithm used has specifically been developed
by the Geostatistics Group from Mines ParisTech
Geosciences Department and is based on
quadratic optimisation methods. The procedure
is able to identify anisotropies and to optimise
variogram ranges, sills, and other involved
parameters for each basic structure, each simple
or cross-variogram, in all directions of the space
simultaneously. If a basic structure is not
necessary in the model, the program is also able
to discard it. It also handles non-stationarity.
This innovative feature is particularly of
interest when updating resource models with
EXPLORATION
new data. Combined with Isatis batch
procedures, it allows the set up of efficient
automatic estimation workflows using models
adjusted at best. Isatis 2012 new
capabilitities also include the ability
to compute grade tonnage curves
from block simulations computed on
selective mining units or on panel grids. This
comes in addition to the previously existing
options, that is the ability to compute grade
tonnage curves from the results of estimations
like ordinary kriging, disjunctive kriging, uniform
conditioning or multiple indicator kriging. The
application has also been enriched with the
ability to handle 2D block models with a given
thickness (where grades along the vertical
direction are considered as constant, ie
stratiform deposits) and irregular block models.
Another noteworthy development is the
exclusive Meandering Channel Simulations
application, resulting from the FLUMY research
consortium from the Geostatistics Group from
Mines ParisTech Geosciences Department,
which offers a new way of modelling sedimentary
deposits thanks to the combination of processbased and stochastic approaches. Additional
innovative functionalities also include the ability
to interpolate directional data and above all
visualise anisotropy directions in the scope of
local geostatistics.
Teck has just made a major investment in
ongoing development of Adrok’s technology
Analysers and interpretation
The industry is also seeing some completely
new innovations and approaches, especially in
the area of analysers. Adrok’s Atomic Dielectric
Resonance (ADR) scanner works by sending a
narrow beam of energy into the ground using
micro- and radio-waves. As it travels downward,
the energy character of the beam is altered by
the various rock layers it encounters. The beam,
which can penetrate to depths up to several
kilometres, is continually reflected back by
these same rock layers and is recorded on
surface.
The recorded data describes how rocks and
minerals, including hydrocarbons, interact with
the beam as it passes through them and
pinpoints their
composition. The
technology measures the
dielectric permittivity of
the subsurface as well
as characterising the
nature of the rock types
based on analysis of
both the spectroscopic and
resonant energy responses.
A key driver in pursuing development of
virtual drilling technology is to reduce the
number of drill holes required to delineate a
mineral or hydrocarbon reserve. To do this,
laboratory analyses of rock specimens and data
from training holes are used to guide the
interpretation and analyses of the Predrilling
Virtual Logging results. As more samples are
entered into Adrok’s proprietary library, the
company states that confidence in the results
will increase.
Another benefit to this approach is that
Predrilling Virtual Logging requires no land-use
permitting as use of the technology offers a
non-destructive, environmentally-friendly way of
remotely deducing subsurface geology.
FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 57
EXPLORATION
IMA Engineering
has developed new
on-line SamplerAnalyser technology
which can be
integrated on drill rigs
themselves. This
integration has now
led to the release of
the first members of
the product family.
IMA has in conjunction
with Atlas Copco
developed the first
fully integrated model
PDSA (Percussion
Drilling SamplerAnalyser) an Atlas
Copco D65 drill rig. Deliveries of the first series
of these units will be made in early to mid-2012
in Scandinavia and elsewhere. The first models
are being delivered by Atlas Copco only under
the Atlas Copco trade name “OreAlyser”. New
Sampler-Analyser technology allows major
improvements in mine grade control by
sampling and analysing drill cuttings online
while drilling rather than relying on samples
taken from drill cuttings. These can be
unrepresentative as very few cuttings come out
of the hole from the first few metres; whereas
the deeper you drill the more cuttings are
produced. Cuttings also fly unevenly around the
hole and subdrill cuttings not belonging to the
bench are mixed with the other cuttings.
The new Atlas Copco OreAlyser family
includes full mechanical and electrical
integration to Atlas Copco D65 Smart Rig drills
with the on-line XRF elemental analysis
combined with measure while drilling (MWD)
data. The OreAlyser sampler range consists of
IMA Engineering Sampler-Analysers mounted on
Atlas Copco rigs. The OreAlyser PDSA
(Percussive Drill Sampler-Analyser) integrates
with Atlas Copco Smart Rig top hammer and
DTH bench drills and is only available through
Atlas Copco.
The second model of IMA Sampler-Analysers
is designed for the big rotary drill rigs.
Deliveries of these BSA (Blast Hole Sampler
Analyser) models will also start via Atlas Copco.
Integration has been especially developed for
Atlas Copco Pit Viper range of rotary blasthole
drills.
To ensure a smooth start-up and that users
get the full benefit from the new technology,
IMA partner Mine On-Line Service (MOLS) is
now offering advanced services for the data
handling and further utilization of the 3D
technology in “On-Line Mine” concept
developed by the two partners.
The analysis is wireless with MWD transfer
Fully integrated model Percussion
Drilling Sampler-Analyser on
Atlas Copco D65 rig
Adrok’s client base in mining includes Teck
Resources, which recently made an investment
of more than £3 million in the technology. The
arrangement with Teck will allow the firm to
expand its commercial and technological
expertise and is expected to create up to 10 new
jobs. Gordon Stove, Managing Director at Adrok,
said in late 2011: “We intend to grow the
company rapidly next year. The funds will allow
us to increase our provision of services to clients
whilst concentrating on increasing global
demand within the mining and oil and gas
sectors. We look to advance our technology by
producing next generation on and offshore
systems which will generate new revenue
opportunities. In many cases it is expected that
our service will reduce the need for extensive
drilling, dramatically decreasing both the time
and costs incurred between discovery and initial
production. That this investment has come from
one of our existing customers is a testimony to
Adrok’s technical ability and expertise.”
Teck has already tested the ADR technology
at their exploration properties in Ireland and
collected exploration and geotechnical data at
their underground Pend Oreille mine in
Washington state, USA. “We look forward to
working closely with Adrok to further develop
mineral exploration and geotechnical
applications for Adrok’s ADR technology,” said
Joel Jansen, Teck’s Chief Geophysicist. Funds
from this investment will support research in
ADR technology with respect to discovery,
delineation and evaluation. Although it is
difficult to imagine a situation where
conventional drilling and sampling would not be
required to advance a mineral development
project through to production, it is possible to
imagine a situation where Adrok’s virtual drilling
technology could significantly reduce the cost to
assess an opportunity and reduce the risks
associated with investing in extensive drill
programs.
58 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2012
via WLAN to the mine server. Analysis data can
be gathered for any desired length of hole from
a 10 cm average to the hole average. The system
automatically knows the hole ID from the rig
and co-ordinates feed information from the rigs’
GPS system. Advanced 3D maps are available
for blasting benches; explosive charging and
selective loading; while there is an optional
“Bag and Tag” sampling device for lab analysis
samples.
In addition to the fully integrated solution,
IMA Blasthole Sampler Analysers can be
retrofitted on existing rigs – to date it has been
tested on the Atlas Copco Pit Viper 351 and the
Bucyrus BE49R (now known as the Caterpillar
MD6640). The retrofit option is a tailored
system with quick installation on the drill rig
and many of the features of the fully integrated
option, though the analysis data is in XML
format and hole ID and depth information feed
information needs to be supplied to the
database.
MOLS has also been working in the Nordic
market since 2007 with its novel mobile
geochemical analysis lab, known as Scanmobile.
During the past year the Scannmobile has been
working actively at the national drill core
storages at Loppi Finland, Malå Sweden and
Lökken, Norway. The national drill core storages
are managed by the Geological Surveys of
Finland (GTK), Sweden (SGU) and Norway
(NGU). The national core stores house old and
new drill cores, the oldest ones dating back for
more than one hundred years, which are
available for exploration companies for review.
They house significant amounts of drill core
exceeding in Finland 3 million metres, in
Sweden 4 million metres and in Norway 200,000
m. These cores come from past exploration
projects from which, according to the local laws,
all companies have to provide a representative
sample of the drill cores to the national core
storages. The national core stores have at their
sites core logging rooms combined with
convenient lodging facilities for interested
customers.
MOLS offers an analytical service for its
customers at the national core stores with the
Scanmobile mobile lab. The Scanmobile uses
XRF elemental analysis and digital imaging
technology for analysing and documenting the
drill cores. “Scanmobile is an ideal tool for
analysing the cores at these locations because
it’s analysis methods are non destructive,” said
Ilpo Auranen, MOLS CEO. It scans the exposed
surface of the drill cores with its XRF analyser
and takes high resolution digital images of the
drill cores in the box. The core pictures are
further analysed to detect minerals and evaluate
rock quality (RQD-value). The drill cores are left
intact so that other interested parties will have
EXPLORATION
The Delta Handheld XRF from Olympus InnovX
the possibility to look at them also in the future.
In some cases MOLS has analysed old drill cores
of which only a quarter is left, where they have
been analysed twice before with conventional
analysis methods, destroying half of the
remaining core with each analysis. The
Scanmobile’s XRF is the only method capable of
analysing these because the remaining core
quarters are not permitted to be destroyed with
further lab analysis.
Another feature of the Scanmobile service is
its web browser reporting system and logging
tool, the Remolog™, which enables customers
to view and even to log the cores remotely. The
Remolog combines geochemical analysis results
with high resolution drill core pictures in an
easy to use format. An additional advantage is
the speed of analysis. “We can analyse several
hundreds of metres of drill cores per day with
the Scanmobile and have the results available at
the Remolog on the following day, if desired”
said Mr Auranen adding: “The advantage is the
speed combined with the fact that our
customers can bypass the national core storage
logging facility’s often long booking line,
because the analysis is done at the core storage
not at the logging room, which will further
enhance our service and shorten our customers
time to mine.”
Portable analyser solutions also continue to
evolve and improve. Olympus InnovX, one of the
leading manufacturers of portable XRF and XRD
analysers states that it has been allocating
much of its time supporting major mining house
global exploration activity plus some ground
breaking major international projects relating to
analysers. This includes its involvement in the
Canadian Mining Industry Research
Organisation (CAMIRO) Exploration Division
Project 10E01 – the Quality Control Assessment
of Portable XRF Analysers. Phase I of this project
(analysis of Standard Reference Materials) was
completed last year and is moving to Phase II
this year (analysis of variable media and real
world samples). This
project represents a coordinated independent
assessment of several
manufacturers of portable
XRFs and is sponsored by
over 20 mining companies
that routinely use XRF
technology for exploration
and grade control
purposes. The project
goals are to benchmark
the XRFs supplied from
several manufacturers, to
understand their strengths
and weaknesses and to attempt to establish XRF
standard operating procedures that can be
universally adopted irrespective of the XRF
manufacturer.
Olympus InnovX is also an eight year affiliate
partner in the Deep Exploration Technologies
Co-operative Research Centre (DET CRC) in
Australia, targeting new technologies to explore
at greater depths. Recent work done through
the DET CRC in conjunction with CSIRO has been
focussed on ensuring robust QA/QC for field
application of portable XRF and development of
workflows for collection, processing and storage
of geochemical data sets collected using the
technology.
Speaking to IM, Todd Houlahan, Olympus
InnovX’s Director, International Mining Group,
stated, “At Olympus InnovX we have achieved a
lot over the last three years, particularly in
relation to the Delta Handheld XRF and the Terra
and BTX portable XRDs. XRF and XRD users
want a supplier that can deliver accurate and
reliable products but also provide a global
approach to their portable analytical needs
when it comes to cross country sales,
applications development and support and
service. With the dedicated exploration and
mining staff we now have within our
International Mining Group, along with a recent
expansion in numbers, we can structure our
commercial relationships and co-ordinate the
technical/geochemical aspects from a global
and regional perspective.”
DGI Geoscience, a global leader in
quantitative in-situ physical rock properties
acquisition and interpretation services brought
its new 2-4C (meaning to foresee) process to the
industry in 2011. The company describes it as “a
statistically robust methodology to assess,
interpret and define relationships within
quantifiable datasets including physical
properties as well as geochemistry, assay,
mineralogy, and geotechnical inputs.” Eric
Maag, DGI Director of Market Development
commented: “DGI’s rigorous calibration and
standard operating procedures for downhole
physical rock properties acquisition, honed with
15 years of experience, have provided the key
for true multi-disciplinary integration with
accuracy, repeatability, 3D representation and
timeliness. Some of the development and
applications within the 2-4C process were
generated through cooperative efforts with
DGI’s partners and continues as the process is
further refined.” The 2-4C process involves
many critical elements working together for a
well-defined purpose. The process begins with
assessment (QA/QC) of the data. Subsequent
steps include the compilation of the vast
amounts of verified data into defined, reliable,
meaningful, and valid groups, known as
domains. Using additional quantifiable datasets
in the process, for example assays/
geochemistry laboratory results, relationships to
the physical rock properties domains are
established with auditable statistical evidence.
DGI believes that the result bridges the gap
between geophysics and the other geosciences
for true integration of traditionally disparate
datasets in providing “3D visual results and a
speed component previously unattainable while
maintaining accuracy.”
ASD Inc, a provider of high-performance
analytical instrumentation and materials
analysis solutions, has announced the release of
the TerraSpec 4 line of portable mineral
analysers for optimisation of mining production
and faster mineral exploration. The new rugged,
portable TerraSpec 4 line includes a twofold
improvement in spectrum quality in the most
important wavelengths for mineral analysis,
plus more rapid data collection. The TerraSpec 4
Hi-Res spectrometer for mineral exploration has
a 6 nm resolution, while the Standard-Res, at 10
nm resolution, is well suited for ore analysis in
mining production. “The improved technology in
the new TerraSpec line of mineral analysers
helps mineral exploration experts to more
quickly map new deposits, and mining
production organisations to better optimise
their ore analysis, which aids in maximising
metal recovery and mine longevity,” said Brian
Curtiss, CTO of ASD. “Within the mining
industry, the new TerraSpec line will continue to
be the de facto standard technology for rapid,
precise mineralogical analysis.”
Using near infrared technology, the newest
TerraSpec mineral analysers produce cleaner,
higher quality spectra. This increased spectrum
clarity in the SWIR region (1,001-2,500 nm) more
precisely identifies critical indicator minerals,
problem gangue minerals such as swelling clays,
and quantifies other important metallurgical
properties. Users also enjoy better resolution of
samples with darker minerals, something that
has historically been difficult with reflectancebased measurement technology. IM
FEBRUARY 2012 | International Mining 59