Mineral exploration is one of the first steps that takes place in a prospector’s journey from mineral discovery to active mining. This can be a long and resource-intensive process, but the payoffs can be significant.
In mineral exploration, the goal is to investigate an area of interest to determine whether there is significant mineralization that can be sourced for economic benefit.
EXAMPLES OF MINERAL EXPLORATION
Mineral exploration can take many different forms depending on the stage of exploration and evidence of a potential deposit, not to mention the resources of the prospector. Below are some of the most common examples of mineral exploration:
1. GEOLOGICAL MAPPING
The first stage of mineral exploration is typically research and geological mapping. This is where prospectors or explorers will identify prospective areas for exploration based on historical deposits, geotechnical information, and more. Well-funded mineral exploration projects may use aeromagnetic surveys and satellite photos to provide data about potential deposits.
2. SURFACE EXPLORATION
One of the most common types of mineral exploration, due to its non-invasiveness, is surface exploration. Surface exploration is a process where a prospector will identify and analyze outcroppings, or areas where bedrock is exposed and visible. Outcroppings will be mapped and sampled. This process is meant to provide clues that could lead to the discovery of feasible minerals.
3. GEOPHYSICAL STUDIES
There is a wide range of geophysical studies that can be used in the mineral exploration process. Examples of these studies include resistivity and induced polarity, gravity, magnetic, seismic, ground penetrating radar (GPR) time domain electromagnetics (TDEM), frequency domain electromagnetics (FDEM), and very low frequency (VLF) surveys, as well as gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS), controlled source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) and natural source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (AMT).
The types of surveys used in these geophysical studies will depend on the area being prospected, potential mineral deposits, and financial/operational feasibility. Most of these services are provided by a third party during the mineral exploration stage of a project, though these surveys are also useful during resource modeling and performance optimization of an active project.
4. ROCK & SOIL SAMPLING
Rock and soil sampling is another common example of mineral exploration. Rock chip and soil sampling are non-invasive methods of mineral exploration and are part of the surface exploration process. As well as sampling rock chips from outcroppings, soil may be sampled in areas with little or no outcropping.
5. CORE DRILLING
Core drilling is a type of mineral exploration that typically takes place after the previous examples have already been completed. Performing core drilling is more invasive than the previous methods as it includes drilling bore holes into the bedrock. The benefit of core drilling is that it provides a look at the mineralization of bedrock at its depth. It is also more expensive and is therefore used only when there is considerable evidence of potential mineralization. Core drilling will provide evidence to prove or disprove theories of underlying geography provided by early testing and surveys.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BRIAN GOSS
President, Rangefront Mining Services
Brian Goss brings over 20 years of experience in gold and mineral exploration. He is the founder and President of Rangefront, a premier geological services and mining consulting company that caters to a large spectrum of clients in the mining and minerals exploration industries. Brian is also a director of Lithium Corp. (OTCQB: LTUM), an exploration stage company specializing in energy storage minerals and from 2014 to 2017, he fulfilled the role of President and Director of Graphite Corp. (OTCQB: GRPH), an exploration stage that specialized in the development of graphite properties. Prior to founding Rangefront, Brian worked as a staff geologist for Centerra Gold on the REN project, as well as various exploration and development projects in the Western United States and Michigan. Brian Goss holds a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Geology from Wayne State University in Michigan.
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