How do you maximize mining exploration with limited resources?

1 Define your objectives

Before you start any exploration program, you need to have a clear and realistic idea of what you want to achieve and why. What are your target commodities, locations, geologies and markets? What are the technical, economic, environmental and social criteria that define a successful outcome? How will you measure and communicate your progress and results? By defining your objectives upfront, you can focus your resources on the most relevant and promising areas and avoid wasting time and money on irrelevant or low-priority tasks.

2 Plan your budget

One of the most critical aspects of mining exploration is managing your budget effectively. You need to estimate how much money you need to spend on each phase and activity of your exploration program, such as geophysical surveys, drilling, sampling, assaying, modeling and reporting. You also need to account for contingencies, such as delays, risks, uncertainties and changes in scope. You can use tools such as spreadsheets, software or apps to track your expenses and compare them with your expected revenues and returns. You should also review your budget regularly and adjust it as needed to reflect the actual performance and outcomes of your exploration program.

3 Use existing data

Mining exploration is a data-intensive process that requires collecting, processing, interpreting and integrating various types of information, such as geological, geochemical, geophysical, geostatistical and geospatial data. However, you don't have to start from scratch every time you explore a new area or project. You can leverage existing data sources, such as public databases, reports, maps, journals, books and online platforms, to gain insights and knowledge about the regional and local geology, mineralization, structures, trends and anomalies of your target area. You can also use existing data to validate, calibrate and refine your own data and models. By using existing data, you can save time and money, reduce uncertainty and risk, and improve the quality and reliability of your exploration results.

4 Choose appropriate methods

Mining exploration involves applying various methods and techniques to identify, locate and evaluate mineral deposits. However, not all methods are equally suitable or effective for every exploration project. You need to choose the methods that best match your objectives, budget, data and target area. For example, you may want to use remote sensing or airborne geophysical methods to cover large areas quickly and cheaply, or use ground-based or borehole geophysical methods to investigate specific targets in more detail. You may also want to use a combination of methods to complement and cross-check each other. You should also consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method, such as accuracy, resolution, sensitivity, cost, safety and environmental impact.

5 Apply quality control

Mining exploration is a complex and dynamic process that involves many variables, assumptions and uncertainties. Therefore, it is essential to apply quality control measures throughout your exploration program to ensure the validity, reliability and accuracy of your data and results. Quality control measures include designing and implementing standard operating procedures, protocols and guidelines for data collection, processing, analysis and reporting; conducting regular audits, checks and reviews of your data and results; using certified reference materials, blanks and duplicates to monitor and correct errors and biases in your sampling and assaying methods; and using independent experts, consultants or laboratories to verify and validate your data and results. By applying quality control measures, you can reduce errors, improve confidence and credibility, and enhance the value and potential of your exploration results.

6 Learn and improve

Mining exploration is a learning process that requires constant evaluation, feedback and improvement. You need to review and assess your exploration program periodically and systematically to identify what worked well and what didn't, what you learned and what you still need to learn, and what you can do better and differently in the future. You can use tools such as reports, presentations, meetings, workshops, surveys or online platforms to document, share and discuss your findings, challenges, lessons and recommendations with your team, stakeholders and peers. You can also use tools such as software, apps or databases to store, organize and access your data and results for future reference and use. By learning and improving from your exploration program, you can increase your knowledge and skills, optimize your performance and efficiency, and maximize your exploration success.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?