Mineral-Prospecting-and-Exploration_2024-Review.pptx

Mineral Prospecting and Exploration Review Date: June 19 and 20, 2024 Time: 1pm to 4pm Topics 1. Prospecting and Exploration 2. Primary Requirements 3. Project Objectives 4. Common Terms 5. Methods and Techniques 6. Sampling 7. Core Drilling Management 8. Resource Estimation 9. C...

Mineral Prospecting and Exploration Review Date: June 19 and 20, 2024 Time: 1pm to 4pm Topics 1. Prospecting and Exploration 2. Primary Requirements 3. Project Objectives 4. Common Terms 5. Methods and Techniques 6. Sampling 7. Core Drilling Management 8. Resource Estimation 9. Concept Review Prospecting & Exploration o discover evidence of mineral occurrence o outline its size and character o minimum cost & minimum period of time o collective efforts of several disciplines Prospecting & Exploration Primary Requirements ◦ must have access to land (Permits and Compliances) ◦ must undergo government approvals ◦ it must be capable of discovering deeply concealed deposits ◦ the deposits must be amenable to economic extractive operations ◦ must pass acceptable minimum rate of return on investments (ROI) Primary Requirements (Explo Permit) ◦ Application Form (MGB Form No. 5-1) ◦ SEC/CDA-certified Certificate of Registration, Articles of Incorporation/ Partnership/Association and By-Laws ◦ Location Map/Sketch Plan (1:50,000 NAMRIA topographic map) showing coordinates/boundaries (in tabulated form) with major environmental features/other projects (prepared, sealed and signed by a deputized Geodetic Engineer) ◦ Two (2)-Year Exploration Work Program (MGB Form No. 5-4), duly prepared, signed and sealed by a licensed Mining Engineer or Geologist Primary Requirements (Explo Permit) ◦ Proof of technical competence in the form of: Bio-data and track records in mining operations/ environmental management Sworn statement of the technical person(s) who will undertake the implementation of the Work Programs or employment contract/proof of availed service(s) ◦ Proof of financial capability in the form of: Latest audited Financial Statements Annual Report for the preceding year Credit lines/bank guarantees/deposits ◦ Affidavit of Undertaking (using MGB form) Objectives To human beings: ◦discover more God’s given natural resources ◦to provide the basic necessities of man to survive To mining companies: ◦ To find economic mineral deposit that will increase the value of the company’s reserves ◦ To find and acquire a maximum number of mineral deposits at a minimum cost and within a minimum period of time. Factors Prior to Exploration Work Scope of work of proposed exploration project Permits & Clearances Amount of existing information General geology of the prospect Type of sampling and data required Availability of exploration technology, equipment, manpower. Capability of equipment Cost of exploration works Environment (terrain, access, vegetation, etc.) Social Acceptability Common Terms: o Prospect – surface indication of mineralization that requires investigation. o Prospecting - is part of exploration, it is the direct search for surface indication of ore mineralization. o Exploration - It includes all activities involved the discovery and evaluation of ore deposit, its size, grade, initial flowsheet and annual output of the new extractive operation. o Mineral Exploration – is defined as the scientific investigation of the earth crust to determine if there are mineral deposit present that maybe commercially developed. Common Terms: o Mineral – are naturally occurring substance that have a corresponding chemical composition and distinct physical properties. o Ore – any rock that contains enough mineral that can be mined at a profit. o Mineral Deposit – any known mineral occurrence with a potential to become an orebody worthwhile of mining. o Rock – are aggregates of mineral o Gangue – valueless minerals associated in the ore. o Waste Rock – are barren rock in the mine. o Host/Country Rock – are considered mother rock where the mineral is enclosed/deposited/confined. Common Terms: o Bedrock – any solid rock in place underlying a soil, clay or other overburden. o Gossans – are ferruginous deposit filling the upper part of some mineral veins forming superficial cover over masses of pyrite. o Floats – are mineral exposures consisting of loose or traces of mineral remnants found downslope of a mineral deposit. o Talus – are transported broken rocks by surface water flowing downslope. o Geologic Map- represent the distribution of different types of rock and surficial deposits, as well as locations of geologic structures such as faults and folds. Methods and Techniques Stage 1 : Prospecting Stage o Field and Library Researches o Reconnaissance Geologic Survey o Rock Sampling & Laboratory Testing o Plotting of Geologic Data & Map Interpretation Methods and Techniques Stage 2 : Preliminary Exploration Stage o Further Library/Field Researches o Preliminary Geological Mapping Field Traverse along Rivers/Creeks & Roadcuts Aerial Photo geologic Study Stream Sediment Sampling (rocks & minerals) o Laboratory Testing (petrographic/mineralographic) o Plotting of Geologic Data on Maps/Interpretation o Preparation of Prelim Report Methods and Techniques Stage 3 : Detailed Exploration Stage o Detailed geologic mapping of indicative areas o Geochemical testing o Geophysical investigation o Drilling investigation o Laboratory testing o Preparation of geologic report o Preparation of your detailed exploration report Methods and Techniques Stage 4 : Ore Reserve Determination o Geologic Modelling & Interpretation o Ore Reserve Estimation o Mine Evaluation o Mine Pre-Feasibility Report o Mine Feasibility Report Prospecting Techniques o Heavy Mineral Panning o Airborne & Satellite Techniques o Fluid Inclusion Studies o Isotope Studies o Portable X-ray Fluorescent Analyzer o Laser Techniques Prospecting Techniques o Heavy Mineral Panning applicable to resistant metal and minerals with high specific gravity like gold, platinum, cassiterite, tungsten, barite. o Airborne & Satellite Techniques done by aerial photography supplemented by a satellite-airborne electronic imaging system to map structural, lithologic and alteration features o Fluid Inclusion Studies Detect fluids during ore-forming processes. The fluids (hydrothermal solutions) are those that are: entrapped during the growth of its host crystal and those entrapped after the growth of host crystal occurring along microfractures Prospecting Techniques o Isotope Studies any of two or more species of atoms of a chemical element with same atomic number and nearly identical chemical behavior but w/ different atomic mass and different physical properties o Portable X-ray Fluorescent Analyzer detect radioisotope sources to irradiate the sampled material with gamma rays o Laser Techniques utilize laser beam (luminex system) to measure luminescent radiation coming from minerals. The luminex system can detect and quantify responsive minerals occurring in an outcrop; Mineral Exploration Methods 1. Geological 2. Geophysical 3. Geochemical 4. Trenching 5. Drilling 6. Analysis Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration o derivation of target areas o collection of available geologic data such as mapping, alteration & zoning studies, including logging interpretation of available data collected o integration of geologic data on maps Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration Activities o Office/Library Researches/Compilation o Photo-geologic Study (Aerial/Ground) o Outcrop Examination o Geologic Mapping/Investigation o Geologic Logging o Boulder Tracking Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration Activities Geologic Mapping - Surface investigation as to color and textures at the surface of weathered ore mineralization or outcrops Trenching and Test Pitting – This involves excavation trial pits and trenches to expose the surface outcrop. Field Sampling & Laboratory Testing - Ore samples are collected from or near outcrops for visual examination and laboratory (petrographic & mineralographic) analysis. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration - Mapping Surface Mapping- a field activity conducted by geologist or engineers to trace, locate and record surficial geological information and plotted in map. Underground Mapping - a subsurface activity conducted by geologist or engineer in the mines to trace, locate and update geological records and plotted in map. Air Photograph Mapping - a field activity through the use of an aircraft to trace, locate and other surficial geological features using high polarizing cameras. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration - Mapping Any exposure of rock presents a wealth of detail: o Soil and rock types o Geological structures o Physical properties o Chemical properties o Other surficial features (weathering, alteration)  Mineral Exploration Methods 2014 PNPI Mineral Exploration Report by Dr. Rogel Santos Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration – Mapping Bearing - a direction relative to north. Azimuth - bearing measured clockwise from north. Strike - is a line representing the intersection of that feature with a horizontal plane. Dip - is the inclination of a given feature and is measured from the steepest angle of descent of a tilted bed or feature relative to a horizontal plane. Plunge is the inclination of the feature measured downward relative to horizontal. Trend - is the feature's azimuth, measured in the direction of plunge. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration – Mapping Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration – Mapping Hanging Wall – the rock or material above a vein or fault zone Foot Wall - the lower underlying wall of a vein, ore deposit, or coal seam in a mine True Dip – the dip angle perpendicular to the strike Apparent Dip – any dip angle measured not perpendicular to the strike Mineral Exploration Methods Mineral Exploration Methods Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geological Exploration – Equipment o Brunton Compass, geologist pick, hand lens, pocket tape, cloth/chain tapes; o Geological knife, protractor, dilute HCl, magnet, nail, survey pads, cement nails, sample tags, sample bags, marking pen, aluminum sheet folder; o Sample ring for holding sample bags during chip sampling, pencils, pens, mapping sheets, log forms, field vest with large pockets, clipboard. o Portable Global Positioning System (GPS), camera, Laptop, etc. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration which uses physical properties at the surface of the Earth, such as seismic, gravitational, magnetic, electrical and electromagnetic, to measure the physical properties of the subsurface, along with the anomalies in those properties Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration o Magnetics o Gravity o Radiometric o Induced Polarization o Seismics o Spectra Satellite Mapping Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration - Airborne o Aeromagnetic Survey - conducted from an aircraft to detect the earth’s magnetic fields to at least an accuracy of a gamma. o Electromagnetic Survey - conducted on fixed-wing aircraft used employing either continuous wave frequency domain, wave forms or pulse-time domain techniques. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration - Airborne o Radiometric Survey - set-up in an aircraft where gamma rays will penetrate several hundred feet through the atmosphere but few inches into the earth to attenuate natural radiation; o Remote Sensing - uses a high-altitude- radar-equip aircraft that maps earth’s topography by using satellite images to detect buried pipes, bedrock and mineralized boulders. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration – Ground Base Gravity Survey - Uses new cryogenic & mechanical optical gravimeters to measure gravity variations and proved successful to detect small masses & subsurface voids (caves or tunnels); buried channels that may contain gold or uranium minerals can be located by gravity or seismic method because the channel fill is less dense that the rock in which the channel has been cut.  Mineral Exploration Methods Geophysi cal Airborne Survey  Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration - Airborne https://geologyscience.com/geology-branches/geophysics/ gravity-surveys/  Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration Illinois, Indiana, - Airborne and Ohio Isostatic Gravity Anomaly Map https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/321/ilinoh_iso.htm Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration – Ground Base Magnetic Survey - Many rocks contain small but significant quantities of ferro- magnetic minerals which vary with rock type. The weak magnetization modifies the earth’s magnetic field to an extent that can be detected by sensitive instrument called “Magnetometers”. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration – Ground Base Electrical Survey - various surface material have characteristic conductance for direct currents of electricity. Electrolytic action, usually made possible by the presence of moisture and dissolved salts w/in the soil/rock formation, permit the passage of current between electrodes placed in soil surface. Induced Polarization - A geophysical imaging technique used to identify the electrical chargeability of subsurface materials, such as ore. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geophysical Exploration – Ground Base Seismic Method - consist of detonating a charge of dynamite or other explosives and measuring the reflection and refraction of artificial earthquake waves set-up by a shock. Refraction Method - determine stratum depth & character velocities in land/water. Reflection Method - used on land for engg studies but useful for offshore continuous profiling. Provide a pictorial record of sea-bottom profile showing changes of strata, salt domes, faults and marine slides. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geochemical Exploration Methods Defines the analytical measurements & chemical interpretation of the abundance of an element in naturally-occurring materials such as soil, rocks, water, air/gases, gossans, plants, micro- organisms, animal tissues, particulate and stream sediments. Anomaly - differences between what is observed at a particular location and what would normally be expected. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Geochemical Exploration Methods o Stream Sediment Sampling o Water Sampling o Rock Sampling o Assaying  Mineral Exploration Methods https://rogermarjoribanks.info/anomaly-recognise/ Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Test Pitting Pitting is usually employed to test shallow, extensive, flat-lying bodies of mineralization. An ideal example of this would be a buried heavy mineral placer. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Test Pit Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Trenching employed to expose steep dipping bedrock buried below shallow overburden and are normally dug across the strike of the rocks or mineral zone being tested. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Trenching Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Percussion Drilling Rotary Drilling o Conventional Rotary o Reverse Circulation Diamond Core Drilling o Conventional o Wireline Other Drilling Methods o Churn, Wash Boring, Shot Drilling, Auger, Hammer Drilling Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Objectives Define the lateral distribution and thickness of soil/rocks; o Define the groundwater level; o Identify geohazards; o Perform in-situ testing to measure engineering properties; Collect samples for visual examination and laboratory analysis. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Factors Prior to Drilling o main purpose of drilling or information needed; o availability of raw materials & machine parts; o peace and order; o availability of technical, skilled & support personnel; o water sources; o geological & engineering analysis o accessible routes Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Percussion Drilling hammering method of drilling where hammer bit with chisel tip is driven to loosened the rocks to be explored. Drilling is performed by “raising and dropping” of the bit. The samples are obtained by “Bailing”. This is conducted by lowering a bailer into the hole by a light cable where it is filled with sludge of drill cuttings and water and hoisted to the collar and discharged. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Rotary Drilling o Conventional Rotary The hole is drilled by rotating the bit and cuttings are removed by continuous circulation of drilling fluids as the bit penetrates the formation. o Reverse Circulation Reverse Circulation Drilling are intended for unconsolidated formations and in soft consolidated rocks such as sandstone and even hard rocks using water and air as drilling fluids. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Core Drilling a method of making a vertical inclined or horizontal hole beneath the surface of the earth to gather physical, geological and engineering character of the subsurface materials using a bit inset with diamonds to obtain a sample or core. Mineral Exploration, Geological and Geotechnical Investigation, Rock Mechanic Investigation, Blasthole Opening in O/P, Mine U/G Excavations Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Core Drilling Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Core Drilling Types Conventional Core Drilling This method make use of conventional type of diamond core drill where the drill rods are pulled-out together with the core barrel to recover the sample in every length of drill run. Wireline Core Drilling This method will deal primarily with the Q series, which is certainly one of the more popular series throughout the world. One of the primary differences is the drill rods. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Core Drilling Essential Parts Core Drill Platform Derrick Pump System Other Components: Engine Power Unit, Transmission, Hydraulic Feed, Wire Drum Hoist, Steel Drag Skid, Sliding Base, Hydraulic System, Auxiliary Transmission, Drill Head and Spindle Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Core Drilling Essential Parts Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Diamond Drill Core Sizes Designation Hole Size Core Size AQ 1.890 in (48mm) 1.082 in (27mm) BQ 2.360 in (65mm) 1-5/8 in (46mm) NQ 2.980 (75mm) 2-1/8 in (55mm) HQ 3.782 (100mm) 3.0 in (75mm) PQ 4.827 (125 mm) 3-15/16 in (100mm) Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Other Conventional Methods Churn Drilling This is performed by rhythmic raising and dropping of the bit on the bottom of the hole. The striking end of the bit is allowed to fall freely until it is close to the bottom of the hole. It utilizes a hollow casing driven into the sampled material leaving an inside core of relatively undisturbed material where it is then pulled out a cable tool bit, broken, pumped or lifted to surface. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Other Conventional Methods Two Types (2) Auger Drills 1. Continuous Flight Augers - used to depths of 100 feet or more depending in equipment available and drilling conditions. A cutter head is attached to the leading section of the flight and cuts approximately 1-inch clearance for the flights that follow. 2. Hollow Stem Augers – provides a faster means of advancing a hole thru many types of soil by eliminating the need to remove the auger during sampling. It has large hollow center. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Other Conventional Methods Wash Boring This method involved the drilling through ordinary/soft soils/minerals by initially driving hollow drill casing into the ground at certain depth. The casing is then cleaned out by means of chopping bits attached to the lower end of the drill rods, with water exiting at high pressure at the side hole of the chopping bit, carrying the cuttings or loosened soil particles. Mineral Exploration Methods ⮚ Drilling Methods Other Conventional Methods Hammer Drill utilize mechanical or pneumatically-operated hammer drill as used in U/G blastholes; Heavy duty split- spoon sampler will penetrate into the subsurface material by means of a 140-250 lbs jarring hammer to fall onto a drive head from a height of 76 cms. The sampler is driven into a desired penetration depth and then pull-out to recover the samples.  Sampling Methods Channel Sampling cutting channels across the face of exposed ore and collecting the resulting chips, and dust from each channel Chip Sampling a series of chips of rock is taken either in a continuous line across the exposure or at random intervals over a face Muck Sampling a grab-sample of the muck pile after blasting is sometimes taken instead of a channel sample Sampling Methods Grid Sampling by establishing a grid or coordinate system. The grid is started by following a designated line or bearing, usually following a compass bearing and collecting samples at some equal pre-determined distance Core Sampling sampling of materials recovered from core drilling Bulk Sampling is done to further determine the mining and metallurgical properties of the deposit Core Drilling Management Core Logging Systematic method of observing, recording, measuring the characteristics of drill core. Core Sampling collecting of samples from drill cores Core Photography A method or procedure of preserving core samples for reporting and drive storage purposes Core Recovery Total core recovered divided by the total length of hole Core Drilling Management Sample Core Photo Core Drilling Management Rock Quality Designation refers to a rating system used in geotechnical engineering to describe the quality of a rock mass based on its geometric, mechanical, and physical properties. as the sum of the core samples having a length greater than 100mm divided by the total length considered. RQD value is calculated as a percentage value.  Core Drilling Management Rock Quality Designation The RQD can be calculated as follows. RQD = { [ 38 + 17+ 20 + 43 ] / [200 ] } x 100 = 59% Rock quality can be considered as fair as the RQD of rock is in the range of 51 -75%. RQD Rock Quality < 25 % Very Poor 25-50 % Poor 51 -75 % Fair 76-90 % Good 91-100 % Excellent Core Drilling Management Collar Data Assay Data Hole ID Hole ID Northing Sample ID Easting Depth From Elevation Depth To Max Depth Length Hole Path Grade Drill Type Core Drilling Management Geology Data Survey Data Hole ID Hole ID Sample ID Maximum Depth Depth From Dip Depth To Azimuth Lithology Date of Reshot Density Instrument Description Resource Estimation Method I. Sectional Modelling Estimation using drill hole sections, and the average grade per section. II. Polygonal Modelling Simple geometric computations, a polygon is constructed around each hole to determine area of influence and III. Triangulation connect adjacent holes into triangles. The included area of each triangle is assigned the characteristic not of a single hole, but of the weighted average of the three holes forming the triangle. Resource Estimation Method Section Modelling Polygon Modelling Resource Estimation Method Inverse Distance Triangular Modelling Weighing Resource Estimation Method IV. Nearest Neighbor Assigns value of the block based on the value of the closest sample point following a certain radius V. Inverse Distance In this method weightage of the hole is given according to distance from the block in which computation is to be made. More weightage is given to closer hole compared to the other holes in the region. VI. Ordinary Kriging A method of estimation that uses variogram parameters. Resource Estimation Method IV. Ordinary Kriging Variogram is used to display the variability between data points as a function of distance. Nugget is a difference of sample values in a separation distance of 0. Sill the difference between the maximum difference and the nugget. Range is the maximum distance which sample pairs can be said to have some relationship to their separation distance. Resource Estimation Method IV. Variogram Concepts Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve o Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. o Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. e. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors. Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve o Mineral Resource is a concentration or occurrence of solid material of economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such form, grade (or quality), and quantity that there are reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. o Mineral Reserve is the economically mineable part of a Measured and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. e. It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined or extracted and is defined by studies at Pre-Feasibility or Feasibility level as appropriate that include application of Modifying Factors.  Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve 2020 Philippine Mineral Reporting Code Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Mineral Resource Inferred o Estimated based on limited geological evidence and sampling o Geological evidence sufficient to imply but not verify geo and grade continuity Indicated o Estimated with sufficient confidence to allow modifying factors o Supports mine planning and evaluation of viability of the mineral deposit o Adequately detailed and reliable exploration results Measured o Estimated with confidence sufficient to allow the modifying factors to support detailed planning and final evaluation of economic viability o Derived from detailed and reliable exploration results Mineral Resource & Mineral Reserve Mineral Reserve Probable Reserve o Economically mineable part of an Indicated mineral resource. o Confidence in the modifying factor is lower than that to Proved Reserve Proved Ore Reserve o The economically mineable part of a measured Mineral Resource. o Implies a high degree of confidence in the Modifying Factor  Concept Review Prospecting Diamond Drilling Auger Drilling Exploration Reverse Circulation Core Box Mapping Rotary Drilling Assaying Drill Core Sizes Remote Sensing Strike and Trend Greenfield Trenching Dip and Plunge Exploration Brownfield Hanging & Foot Wall Derrick Exploration Geochemical Anomaly Test Pitting Sampling Core Barrel Percussion Drilling Geophysical Sampling Wireline Drilling GPS Induced Polarization Drill Bit Brunton Compass  Concept Review Mineral Resource Nugget Core Photography Mineral Reserve Sill Core Logging Inferred Resource Modifying Factors Range Indicated Resource Variogram Nearest Neighbor Measured Resource Section Model Chip Sampling Probable Reserve Polygon Model Grab Sampling Proved Ore Reserve Ordinary Kriging Core Recovery ACP Geologist Bulk Sampling RQD PMRC End of Presentation Thank you