Services We Offer
Exploration
Mineral Mapping has developed a sophisticated method of interpretation of geochemical data based on thousands of case studies for more than 150 different clients across a very broad range of commodities and countries. Using both 4 acid digest ICP-MS/AES geochemistry and SWIR spectral analysis, the sample media can be classified in a number of ways before analyzing the geochemical patterns.
For example, we will attempt to classify the host lithology and mineralogy of the samples before looking at the pathfinder element patterns. This has great benefits in determining how the character of the samples influences background geochemical signatures, so definition of anomalies is much more precise. This methodology should be applied at a range of scales, from regional reconnaissance to characterization of resource drill-out samples at deposit scale. Mineral Mapping can provide advice on appropriate sampling and assay techniques and programme planning, as well as data interpretation and modeling.
Mining
Mineral Mapping specialises in ore type and gangue classification from multielement geochemistry. This has great applications in geometallurgical modelling. Logging drill core or drill chips is very subjective. Variation in skills and opinions from one geologist to the next makes it very difficult to create reliable 3D alteration models of orebodies based on visual logging. Routine 4-acid digest ICP analyses provide a quantitative and consistent data set through an entire orebody that takes the guess work out of logging. This provides the basis for improved 3D Resource domain models. Such models can;
· Lead to vastly improved metallurgical test work sample selection.
· Where correlations are established between metallurgical test results and mineralogy estimated from the chemistry, the assays can be used as a proxy to populate an entire block model with predicted rock properties.
· Predict rock hardness domains (bond work index, power consumption, mill wear drilling production rates)
· Map clay mineralogy distribution – impacting floatation sliming, geotech/slope stability/UG stope over-break dilution etc.
· Quantitatively map sulphide type, percentages, ratios.
· Mineralisation-related alteration models (vectoring for resource extensions and near-mine exploration, predicting grade domaining and ore-body zonation).
· Map deleterious element distribution – As, Sb, Se, Mg etc, potentially affecting concentrate quality,
· Quantitatively map reactive mineral components and toxic metals that impact environmental management.
Training
Scott Halley has conducted training workshops in Geochemistry for industry geologists and post-graduate students as part of the CODES M.Sc. short course series since 2008. In-house training in the interpretation of multi-element geochemistry and SWIR data for exploration and production geologists using the clients own data is a regular part of our business.
