What do you do if you want to discover new mineral deposits?

1 Geological Maps

To kickstart your quest for new mineral deposits, you'll need geological maps. These maps are like the blueprints of the Earth's surface, detailing the types and ages of rocks, fault lines, and past geological activity. By studying these maps, you can identify areas with the right conditions for mineral formation. For example, if you're looking for gold, you might focus on regions with ancient volcanic activity, as gold often precipitates from hot fluids associated with volcanoes. Geological maps also help you understand the larger structural geology, which is crucial for predicting where minerals might be concentrated.

2 Remote Sensing

Remote sensing technology is a vital tool in your arsenal. It allows you to examine large tracts of land from a distance, using satellite imagery and aerial photography to identify mineral signatures without setting foot on the ground. Certain minerals reflect light in unique ways, and by analyzing this data, you can identify anomalies that may indicate hidden mineral deposits. It's like having X-ray vision that can see through vegetation and soil to reveal the secrets of the rocks beneath.

3 Field Sampling

Once remote sensing has pointed you in the right direction, it's time to get your boots dirty with some field sampling. This hands-on approach involves collecting rock, soil, and even water samples from the area of interest. By analyzing these samples for their mineral content, you can gather direct evidence of mineralization. This step is crucial because it allows you to ground-truth the data obtained from remote sensing and refine your search area to more specific targets.

4 Geochemical Analysis

Geochemical analysis is the lab work that follows field sampling. It involves using various techniques to measure the concentrations of elements and minerals in your collected samples. This analysis can reveal the presence of pathfinder elements—elements that are commonly associated with certain types of mineral deposits. Detecting elevated levels of these elements can be a strong indicator that a deposit is nearby. Think of it as a chemical breadcrumb trail leading you to the hidden treasure.

5 Geophysical Surveys

Geophysical surveys are your way of peering into the Earth without digging. These surveys measure different physical properties of the subsurface, such as magnetism, gravity, or electrical conductivity, which can be affected by the presence of minerals. For instance, a magnetic survey might detect the distinct magnetic signature of an iron ore deposit. Geophysical surveys can be conducted from the air, ground, or even from within boreholes, providing a 3D view of potential mineral zones.

6 Drilling Programs

Finally, drilling programs are the conclusive phase in your search for new mineral deposits. Drilling involves extracting core samples from deep underground to provide a direct look at the subsurface geology. Analyzing these cores will confirm whether the minerals you're after are present and in sufficient quantities to be economically viable. This step is expensive and time-consuming but is the only way to truly validate your findings and move forward with developing a new mine.

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?