7- Geochemical Techniques for Undercover Exploration: The 'New Geophysics'?- James Cleverley, 2013

[@alexandredebastiani1966]

I am working in my Master's Degree project in Advanced Product Design, in Sweden, and I am tackling exactly these exploration challenges. I am hoping to present a new vision, in the form of a robot, of mineral exploration soon.

[@RustyAtwood-s1p]

Thanks for the Info in this video! Owner of Alaska Rare Earth LLC

[@Worldgeochemist]

Highlights: ✦Geochemical data sets are becoming the new geophysics in exploration, as new techniques and thinking are needed to locate small targets in complicated basement geology. •Geochemical data sets are becoming the new geophysics in exploration. •New techniques and thinking are needed to locate small targets in complicated basement geology. •The challenge is to locate small targets in complicated basement geology overlain by complicated stratigraphy, weathering, and regolith. • Sheet-washed gravels can hide the underlying geology through them. ✦Lithology, metamorphism, metasomatism, and structure all influence the petrophysical response of rocks. •Sensing hardware and technology evolution have an impact on geophysics. •The anatomy of a mineral system includes lithology, metamorphism, metasomatism, and structure. •Interfacing geochemistry and mineralogy with petrophysics is key. •Teasing apart geophysical data sets to tell us separately about each component is useful. ✦Geochemical techniques become limited in undercover exploration due to the thickness of the cover, but large geochemical databases can help map out new aspects of the system. •Hydro GaN techniques are too broad and not fine-scale for thick covers. •Limited techniques available for exploration once into those environments. •Large geochemical databases in brownfield environments can help map out new aspects of the system. •Example of a large geochemical database at the Ranger mine site helped map out architecture related to fluid flow and mineralization. ✦Geochemical prospecting has not evolved much from the 1850s and we haven't taken advantage of where technology has gone. •The cost of routinely collecting geochemical information is around $50-$110. •Despite advancements in technology, geochemical prospecting has remained similar to 1850 methods. •There is a need for more innovation and use of technology in geochemical prospecting. ✦Portable XRD and XRF systems are new technologies that can measure mineralogy, but processing the data is a challenge. •Portable XRD system is a game changer for measuring mineralogy. •Processing algorithms are outdated for the new hardware capabilities. •The challenge is to process and present the data to exploration geologists beyond just wiggly lines. •The development of efforts in deep exploration technologies is focused on these new technologies. ✦Geochemistry and geophysics datasets need to be seamlessly put together in order to better constrain the kinds of inversions. •Visualizing datasets together can drive a whole conversation around what it really means. •Routine geochemistry can lead to fancy analytics to better understand the probability of finding gold. •Producing a probability shell requires taking into account various criteria such as structure, alteration, mineralogy, and multi-element geochemical signal. ✦The relationship between geochemistry and petrophysics in rock exploration •Geochemistry and mineralogy are recorded as point data with limited sphere of influence •Downhole petrophysics samples a bigger volume and still has an edge in rock exploration •The goal is to use geophysics to extrapolate geochemistry and mineralogy to a broader volume •The question is what aspects of petrophysics measurement are still needed if mineralogy and geochemistry can be fully characterized. ✦Geochemical techniques should be used in combination to get the right answers, and data density is important for effective exploration. •The combination of geochemical techniques can provide the right answers for different projects. •The use of drilling is still necessary despite advancements in exploration technology. •Data density is critical for effective exploration, and regional soil surveys can reveal areas where more samples should be taken.

[@karhukivi]

At 21:38 a geologist is talking to a geophysicist sitting at a computer!