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Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 6 (2013) 42 – 49

International Symposium on Earth Science and Technology, CINEST 2012

Database Management and Quality Assurance is Key of Success in

Exploration
Harman Setyadi1, Komang Anggayana2
1
Doctorate Student, Mine Engineering Study Program Faculty of Mine and Petroleum Engineering,
Institute Technology Bandung, Jl. Ganesa 10, Bandung 40132 - INDONESIA
e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
2
Earth Resources Exploration Group - Faculty of Mine and Petroleum Engineering,
Jl. Ganesa 10, Bandung 40132
e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Exploration is the risky part in the mining business stage. The final goal of exploration is to discover an economic
deposit in the certain area; generally by using the three main stages of exploration which are to find, to prove and
then to evaluate the presence of minerals deposit. All the three tasks are required the exploration database which is
commonly consisting of spatial information of raster, vector and point data. The different type of data is required
different data handling as well as data storage system.
To reduce the risk, exploration should be done phase by phase. Commonly every single phase of exploration have
different propose, method and data collected. Understanding of the exploration business processes, activities and
what kind of the data collected and/or required for every stage is important to design and improve the database
system itself. In addition, the growing of information technology and computers science, and the increase of data
exploration itself; the exploration evaluation will rely more on digital data processing. Database management and
quality assurance awareness is critical to build the solid and correct exploration information for further analysis
and evaluation of every exploration stages. The database is the primary input to create decision for further
exploration stages

Keyword: Exploration, Database, Quality Assurance

1. INTRODUCTION
Exploration business is different from the common business. The goal of exploration is to discover the economic
natural resources deposit thorough out in the several stages to reduce the business risk. The natural resources
typically is not renewable that mean limited of volume and time for the exploitation.
With increasing the number of natural resources which have been discovered and mined out, to discover new natural
resources will increasingly difficult. Generally the natural resources which are located on the near surface as well as
which are have high economic value had discovered and mined. The challenging of current and future mineral
exploration is to discover new economic mineral deposits which are not well exposed and only have weak anomaly
signatures.

1878-5220 © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Selection and/or peer review under responsibilty of Institut Teknologi Bandung and Kyushu University.
doi:10.1016/j.proeps.2013.01.006
 Harman Setyadi and Komang Anggayana / Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 6 (2013) 42 – 49 43

The increasing natural resources demand is as the consequence of the global economic and population growing
which more hungering of the natural resources need. The increasing demand and resource depletion will drive up the
price of resource commodities, that mean the natural resources which had evaluated was not economic should be
considered economic. This phenomena also threating of term of the sustainable mining (Tilton, 2010; Graham 2008)
The improving technology especially for computer and information technology have been employed to assisting the
exploration data processing evaluation. Data analog such as maps, photo and other information which commonly
have big size previously have problem for data storage and retrieving, currently have no significant issues.

2. EXPLORATION STAGES
To reduce the potential risk, exploration should be done phase by phase. Generally the early stage is using the broad
exploration method to cover the larger area with lower cost. To the further stage, exploration work should be more
focused to the specific of interest area. Exploration work should be more intensive with increasing sample density,
detailed geological observation and study. The advanced sampling method to improve the sample quality is required
more sampling cost.For the example rock grab sampling from outcrop is cheaper comparing the continuous channel
or trench sampling. Channel or trench sample may require digging the outcrop before sampling which mean more
time.
Basically mineral exploration is the process to collect the data and/or information related to the mineral occurrence
in the surface. Exploration evaluation is the process to compile, interpretation and analysis various geospatial data
set which commonly using the Geographic Information System (GIS) technique to generate the mineral occurrence
potential maps (Majoribank, 2010). In the past (before 2000) commonly the data are recorded and plotted in the
paper maps which take more time for compile and less combination data used. Different data set combination to use
for analysis should be different resolution of the mineral potential map for exploration target.
Exploration data is required for evaluation, to assess the potential economic of the natural resource occurrence. In
the process exploration data integration conversion into exploration knowledge is required the meaning or
usefulness of data different type particular data set to be compared. (Majoribank,2010). Understanding the process
data collection also the important think to access the potential data error.

Table 1.Mineral Resource Classification Related to the Exploration Works

SNI-13-6011-1999
Summary of Exploration Works
(JORC-2004)
Resource Reserve Phase/Goals Methods
Reconnaissance/ Remote sensing, regional
General Survey: geological and geochemical
Hipotetik To find or to sampling (SS, PC, BLEG),
identify deposit included country risk
anomalies profile study.
Prospecting General geological,
Tereka To find and geophysical, geochemical
outlining survey. Demographic
anomalies and its study. Scale 1:100,000
(Inferred) signatures 1:25,000
General Detailed geophysical,
Tertunjuk Terkira Exploration geochemical, geological,
survey, include scout
To prove the drilling, test pit,
deposit trenching. Scale 1:25,000
(Indicated) (Probable) occurrence 1:10,000. Detailed
include to define Demographic mapping,
the geometry CSR development.
Detailed Systematic drilling,
Terukur Terbukti Exploration trenching, detailed
geological mapping,
To measure metallurgical study,
volume and grade scoping study included
(Measured) (Proved) of deposit and technical, economic, and
deposit economic social evaluation.
evaluation Scale 1: 10,000
1:1,000.

Table 1 presented the resource/reserve classification based on JORC-2004 and SNI-13-6011-199 related to the
exploration phase and the common exploration methods used.
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3. EXPLORATION DATABASE
Figure 1 presented the suggestion of the exploration database model related to the mining business processes, which
is triggered by the mineral resource demand. Exploration is the process to find, to prove and to measure the mineral
deposit which is suggested to follow the exploration stages to reduce the exploration business risks (Anggayana,
2011).
Exploration, especially for mineral exploration is the process to gathered the geo science data and/or information
using specific method which will be recorded in the special data type to able all information plot/view in the two or
three dimension map. Geo Science information which is commonly consist of geological, geographical, geophysical
and geochemical information are collect phase by phase. Data density per unit area, data quality and data type will
increasing follow the maturity of the exploration stage.
The most complex, important and advance of exploration data is the drilling data. This information is definitely
requested to prove then to measure how much the volume and what grade the resource was discovered. Drilling data
and other surface spatial data is used to create the geological model. This model itself should be a dynamic from
simple to complex following the data complexity.
Exploration database is the one of data source for the mineral resources modeling and calculation. The advance
exploration data also recorded the geotechnical and geohydrology aspect, which it is collected during the exploration
drilling campaign. This kind of information is required for the mine design and mine operation.

Figure 1.An example of Drill Core Sample which containing Geological Information and Recorded Relative Spatial Location.

Figure 1 is show the example of drill core photo which showing lithology variation, different of alteration, mineral
composition and it distribution as well as relationship of different mineral occurrence. All of this information should
be observed and logging by geologist then all information containing in this drill core should be translate and
recorded in the standard database format. The core depth also recorded to preserve the spatial location, which will
use for calculation the coordinates of each sample using the down hole survey information.
Drill core is not only containing the geological information but also the geotechnical aspect such as joint or fractures
frequency, condition and type, rock strength. The most important is the metal containing in the drill core. Drill core
should be analysis to get the grade information as well as what the other metal contained.
Although all the data already recorded in the database properly, the core photo should be storage in the proper
system, so this information is easily to access. All the information contained in the drill core sample may or not may
all have been observed and record properly. So in the future, if any doubt regarding the existing information
recorded in the database should be recheck and validate in the core photo information. It is an example of the
important thing to understand what exploration data should be transfer and recorded in the exploration database
system.
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START

Mineral Resource
Demand

EXPLORATION
To Find Geological
Model
To Prove
To Measure

Exploration
Database
Resource
Model & Calculation

Geotechnical &
Feasibility Modifying
Hydrogeology Study Factors
Model

Reserve
Model & Calculation

Mine Operation

Finish
Figure 2. Simplified the Exploration Database Model belongsin the Mine Business Processes.

During the mine operation, some additional geo-science information which were not intersected by the exploration
drilling should be added and/or confirmed. Grade control sample during the mine operation should be comparing to
the original geological model and/or resource model to modify the previous model. In advance the additional infill

from the combined old drilling data and the additional data.

4. EXPLORATION KNOWLEDGE DATA DISCOVERY

Knowledge Data Discovery (KDD) or data mining is the process of analyzing data from different perspectives and
summarizing it into useful information; the process of finding correlations or patterns among different in a large data
set. The overall goal of the data mining process is to extract knowledge from an existing data set and transform it
into a human-understandable structure for further use (Anderson, 2012, Wikipedia 2012, Saptawati 2011, Jiawei
2006).
In general the goal of Knowledge Data Discovery (KDD) itself it is not much different with the mineral and/or
resources exploration which is to discover the new mineral deposit. The principle of the mineral exploration is the
integrated and analyses several different data set to find the new pattern or anomalous which maybe represent the
mineral deposit on the subsurface.
46 Harman Setyadi and Komang Anggayana / Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 6 (2013) 42 – 49

Decision
Making
Data
Visualization
2D, 3D GIS Analysis and
Modeling

System Management & QA

Validation, Consolidation, Integration,
Data Warehouse, Querying, Reporting

Data Source Administration

Field Data Gathering: Geological Mapping-Logging,
Geophysical Survey, Geochemical Sampling, Remote
Sensing
Figure 3. The Suggested Exploration Data Mining and Business Intelligence (modified from Saptawati 2011).

The suggested Exploration Business Intelligent modified from Saptawati(2011), is presented as Figure 3. The base
on the exploration database system is the data source organization and administration including data repository from
the exploration field campaign which is commonly collect the data and information of geological, geochemical and
geophysical feature using exploration method and tool.
Business intelligence (BI) is defined as the ability for an organization to take all its capabilities and convert them
into knowledge. This produces large amounts of information which can lead to the development of new
opportunities for the organization. BI technologies provide historical, current and predictive views of business
operations (Wikipedia, 2012). This technology is required for digging the exploration database to evaluate what
have been done in the past regarding the data evaluation as well as what the exploration program have been taken. In
some case, the first evaluation may not correct and/or required specific exploration approach to define potential
deposit.

4.1. Data Source Administration

The common data sources of the mineral exploration are geological data, geophysical data and geochemical data.
This data commonly storage as the point data which contain sample location with Easting and Northing ± Elevation
and the sample description ± sample analytical results.
Geological information commonly recorded the sample point as spatial data geological observation: lithological,
alteration, mineralization, and structure. Sample location in the spatial information with Easting and northing
location may recorded by GPS reading and/or plot in the field map which should be transferring to the digital data.
Some geological information such as structure, lithology and it boundary may not record as point data type but
should be recorded as the vectors data. Vectors data should record and storage using ACAD and/or GIS software as

Geophysical data is commonly collected using the continuous geophysical survey to detect the potential distinctive
physical properties below the surface. Geophysical data generally collected as point sample but report and interpret
after converted to the raster and/or vector data.
Geochemical sampling is commonly collected during and following by geological mapping. Geochemical sample
should be analysis in the commercial lab using specific wet chemical method such as Fire Assay, Atomic
Absorption Spectral (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) etc. outside of the
exploration area. Sample administration database is the important task to track the sample from field until the final
assay has received and uploaded to the database. Sample administration should be aware in matching between the
sample identification from field and laboratory. Any discrepancy should be solving immediately with the sampler
person.
Understanding the sampling procedure, sampling dispatching and the laboratory analytical knowledge is important
to design the sample administration database system included for system validation and control. Geochemical data is
the important data for the mineral exploration. This data will use for exploration evaluation from beginning until the
mine closure. This data should be able to be audited from the sampling procedure, laboratory analysis procedure and
data storage.
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Similar with geophysical data, geochemical data are collected as point data; as spotted sample or systematic
sampling. Data interpretation should be visualized as point data, vector or raster or both type information to get
better resolution and able to define anomalies.
Remote sensing data collected using satellite or airborne survey. Remote sensing data commonly presented as image
or raster data.
So, in the mineral exploration business they are mainly two different databases to store the different data format.
However for data evaluation the data should be integrated together in one system to visualize all the existing data
and information to get the comprehensive integrated knowledge of the exploration target area.
Figure 4 shows the simplified exploration database flow. Data source is generated during the exploration field
campaign. Exploration field mapping is initially by the field mapping plan based on the existing information to
focus to the exploration target area. They are two main works in the field which are to collect the geological
information and to collect sample for geological and geochemical analysis.

Simplified Geological Exploration Database

Exploration Field Mapping & Database System &

Sample Analysis
Evaluation Data Collection Management

START

Field Mapping
Plan Sample Sample
Dispatching And Preparation and
Qa/QC Analysis
Sample
Collecting and
Observation
Analytical
Reports
Field Data Database
Recording (Point Data)
Transcription

Evaluation
GIS Analysis &
& Decision Database
Modelling
Making Vector & Raster
(GIS)

Exploration
Progress
FINISH
Reports

Figure 4. Simplified Exploration Database Model for Geological mapping and sampling

4.2. System Management & Quality Assurance

Exploration database is the long-life data; the oldest exploration data should be having value during the exploration
and mining life. Figure 1also explains that the exploration database which mainly use for the exploration purpose
use for data evaluation to discover new deposit, also will use for mining support during the mining life. The
exploration database should be put in the accessible long term database without data archiving policy. With this
characteristic, of course data quality assurance and awareness is important to develop the big view of exploration
database design.
Exploration database management not only for the database development but also to involved the data quality and
validation, data tracking and self-audit. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should in place to ensure the
consistency of how data collected in the field, how data captured in database and how data pre-processing inside the
database system
To design the exploration database, suggested the database developer should have good understanding and/or
knowledge regarding the exploration business and its aspects. If the database was initiated from the first stage
exploration (reconnaissance program) database should have capacity to growing up in term about the data size as
well as the database complexity.
In theearly exploration phase is not important to use the sophisticated and complex database system. The important
thing in this stage is to design a simple database which able to migrate in easy way to the future advances system,
understand the exploration business risk which potentially growing rapidly or may fail to discover the potential
deposit in the initial stage. The potential risk using the advance system in the early stage of exploration is if fail to
find the potential deposit in the interesting area. Figure 4 also presented the potential database growing following the
maturity of the exploration stage (Table 1).
Part of the System management and Quality assurance are the data validation, consolidation and reporting. Database
developer should be work closely with field geologist/ explores to identify the potential data error for validation. In
other hand field geologist should have awareness the impact of the data error and how should prevented. In the first
time may be the field crews have inconvenience with several validation systems.
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In general the potential data error in Exploration database is consisting of: 1) Field data collecting and field
sampling. The common errors are the mistype in the field, transcription error from field book by data entry and data
duplication. 2) Analytical error which commonly from the sample analysis and sample preparation.
Data consolidation, aggregation should be part or use for the reporting system. Consolidation and aggregation
should be used to create the effective querying tool for extract the exploration data summary report such as the total
sample, total survey and significant assay intercept reported during the certain period. Tracking trend information,
such as the sample dispatching should be interesting to monitor the progress changed. The example of the data
consolidation and aggregation shows as Figure 5, which is present sample volume variation during one year for
different type of samples.

Figure 5. Sample Volume Trend Chart Generate from the Database Aggregation tool, is an example from PT. Freeport Indonesia.

Tracking database also is the important task. It is to ensure that all data from field were recorded properly in the
timely manner. The field data commonly consist of the geological mapping, surveying and sampling. Geological
sampling is the most important to track, which is susceptible to mismatch between field sample collected in the
field, recorded on the map, recorded in the database as well as analytical report from laboratory.
4.3. Data Visualization
Data visualization is important task in the resource calculation, modeling and evaluation in the exploration process
business. Exploration data visualization is proposed to review and assess all the existing exploration data to evaluate
the potential mineral resource occurrence on the exploration area. Data evaluation should be included the data
distribution coveredon the exploration area, with regard of the sample representative and focus in the interesting
target. Data evaluation, especially of the geochemical sample analysis result should be using statistical and/or geo-
statistical studies to determine the anomalies level of specific sample and/or geochemical elements.
In the early stage exploration commonly using the integrated two dimensional data visualization which is combining
different type of data format (point, raster, image) from the different data type (geological, geophysical and
geophysical) on the Geographic Information System (GIS).
The advance exploration stage, to measure the potential deposit, commonly drilling methods was used. Drilling
method is take continues representative sample intersected on the mineral deposit. Drilling is the most expensive
method to get the deposit information. Drill core data is the most important data sources to calculate and evaluate
the economic deposit. Exploration drilling database is used for build the three dimensional evaluation of the deposit
include but not limited for the resource grade and volume model as well as the descriptive model (Cox, 2009).

5. RECOMMENDATION
Exploration database is not only use during the exploration campaign but also will use during mining activity and
potentially for the mine closure to reconcile the exploration resource modeling comparing to the actual resource
mined as well as the potential environmental hazard during the mining closure.
Improving the understanding and awareness of exploration database by the exploration team member and
management is important to improving the quality and government of the exploration database. The structured
exploration database will easily to access and to develop to the advance system in the mature exploration stages.
 Harman Setyadi and Komang Anggayana / Procedia Earth and Planetary Science 6 (2013) 42 – 49 49

6. CONCLUSION
1. Exploration database system is become more important to provide the information for exploration evaluation,
resource-reserve modeling and calculation, as well as for mine operation support.
2. Understanding the exploration processes, data type and characteristic of each information and the data relation
is important for design the database system and/or maintenance.
3. It is the real exploration world, before able to discover the new deposit should able to explore the existing
database.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you for PT Freeport Indonesia Management, especially the Geo Service Division which give an opportunity
to research their exploration database concept and published to this paper.

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