Thierry Bineli Betsi

PhD, P. Geo
GLEN 322_2024
11/03/2024 1
 MINERAL EXPLORATION
LECTURES OUTLINE
I. General Introduction

II. Mineral Resources and Society

III Mineral deposits: classification and ore-forming processes

overview

IV. Mineral Exploration Stages

V. Mineral Exploration Techniques

VI. Mineral Exploration Data

VII. Evaluation Techniques

VIII. Project evaluation and Mineral Economics

IX. Environmental System Management of Mineral Resources

X. Case study: Diamond exploration

Thierry Bineli Betsi
11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 2
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BACKGROUND

• Mineral Exploration data are abundant and diverse (geology,

structure, topography, geochemistry, geophysics, remote sensing,
etc….), complex, and expensive to acquire

• Computer programs are widely used nowadays to speed up

Mineral Exploration data processing and improve decision making

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BACKGROUND

Two types of computer packages are used to handle exploration and

development data, and these include:

(i) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for early-stage exploration

data, usually generic software developed for other non-geologic
applications;

(ii) Mining-specific packages designed to enable mine planning and

Resources/Reserves calculation

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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

• In order to integrate data, they must be generated in an appropriate

digital form

• Most field data are now generated in digital form but any data only
available on paper will require digitization

• Capture of data in the field using computers is becoming routine, often

using ruggedized computers that can be easily transported. At present
this approach is widely used for routine tasks such as samples collection
and core logging. But it is less well suited to geological mapping.
However, this situation is changing rapidly with the advent of inexpensive
portable digital assistants using a stylus for input and better-quality
displays

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 5
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 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

Thierry Bineli Betsi

11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 6
GLEN 322_2024
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

There are two main types of Mineral Exploration data and these include:
Spatial data and Attributes data

Spatial data can be referred to as geographic data or geospatial data. Spatial data
provide the information that identifies the location of objects, their shapes and
boundaries on Earth. These objects can be point locations or more complex objects
such as countries/regions, roads, or lakes. Spatial data can be processed and
analyzed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) or Image Processing
packages. .

Attribute or non-spatial data are independent of geographic location and

represent the information linked to the geographic features (spatial data) that describe
features. For example, attributes of a river might include its name, length, water
color, and sediments load at a gauging station. Non-spatial information about a
geographic feature in a GIS, usually stored in a table and linked to the feature by a
unique identifier
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ATTRIBUTE VS SPATIAL DATA

The main difference between attribute data and spatial data is

that the attribute data describes the characteristics of a
geographical feature, while spatial data describes the
absolute and relative location of geographic features.

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 8
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ATTRIBUTE VS SPATIAL DATA

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 9
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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

Spatial data are normally digitized either by scanning a map or by using a digitizing
table. The scanning method has become much easier with the advent of
inexpensive scanners. In this method a georeferenced image is traced on a
computer screen using a mouse or puck. When the map or scan has been digitized
all lines work should be carefully edited. Generally, this editing is laborious and
more prone to errors than the original digitization.

Attribute data can be captured by typing handwritten data or by scanning data that
is already type written and relatively clean. The scanned images are then converted
into characters for storage using optical character recognition software. This
software is however not perfect, and the resulting characters should be carefully
checked for errors.

Thierry Bineli Betsi

11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 10
GLEN 322_2024
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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE
• There are two major formats of representing spatial data: raster and vector.

• In the vector model, the spatial element of the data is represented by a series of
coordinates, paths, and lines

• In the raster model, space is divided into regular pixels, usually square.

• Each model has advantages and disadvantages but the key factor in deciding on
format is the resolution.

• As a general indication, the raster method is commonly used for remote sensing,
whereas the vector method is used for drill holes and geological mapping.

• In a simple (two-dimensional) vector model, points are represented by x and y

coordinates, lines as a series of connected points (known as vertices), and
polygons as a series of connected lines or strings.

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 11
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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

RASTER VS. VECTOR

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 12
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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

Data are stored into two different forms:

1. Flat file format in which each point has associated x, y (and z)

coordinates, as well as attributes. The flat file method is an inefficient
way to store data as a minor change in the file requires a global search
and change of all examples

2. Relational data base: Data are more efficiently stored and edited in a
relational database in which the data are stored as a series of tables
linked by unique key, such as sample numbers.

The flat file format can be converted to a relational database by a process

known as normalization

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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE
Example of flat file

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 14
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DATA CAPTURE AND STORAGE

The flat file and relational database systems are efficiently used for 2D
GIS and geometric models.

It is however difficult for them to manage 3D information with complex

topological relationships.

Difficulties arise in converting the complex data types used in portraying

these objects being represented into relational tables with links.

This problem is overcome in an object-oriented (OO) database approach

in which conversion is unnecessary as the database stores the objects
directly, complete with topological and other information links.

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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Data Integrity

Integrity of data is paramount for any mining or exploration company, both

from a technical and legal viewpoint. Therefore, both industry and
government departments require higher levels of reporting standards
(example, the Australian JORC, the Canadian NI-43-101, South African
SAMREC, and CRIRSCO (Committee for Mineral Reserves International
Reporting Standards), etc… ….) to avoid inconsistencies, lost data, errors,
and fraud (such as the Bre-X Minerals Lt Canada)

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 16
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
Data Integrity

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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Data Integrity

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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

The basis for the integration of data in a GIS is their use as a series of
layers. This method is really an extension of the old light table method in
which maps were overlaid and the result viewed by shining a light through
them.

Combining layers is much easier than splitting them apart and a good rule
is to build layers from the simplest components. For example, rather than
having a topographical layer, it is better to have separate layers for roads,
field boundaries, buildings, and rivers

In the case of a conventional geological map, separate layers would be

generated for geological units (polygons), structural readings (points) and
faults (lines)

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 19
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: EXAMPLE OF LAYERS OVERLAY

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 20
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

• A wide variety of formats are used to prepare and present mineral exploration
data

• Three main types of maps are used to present exploration data. These include:

1. Map view

2. Cross section view

3. Long section view

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 21
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Map view

This is an horizontal map that shows various type of surface features

including:

• Exploration information (geology, geochemistry, geophysics, drill holes,

trenches and sample's location)

• Topographic information (contours, streams, mountain ranges ) or cultural

information (road, power lines, communities, rail lines)

Google maps, shaded relief maps, contours maps, grid maps and aerial
photographs are also examples of surface maps and therefore map
views

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 22
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 23
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 24
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 25
GLEN 322_2024
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL
EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

Thierry Bineli Betsi

PhD, P. Geo
11/03/2024 GLEN 322_2024 26
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL
EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 27
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL
EXPLORATION DATA: MAP
VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 28
GLEN 322_2023
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL
EXPLORATION DATA: MAP
VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 29
GLEN 322_2023
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 30
GLEN 322_2024
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 31
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 32
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 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 33
GLEN 322_2024
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA: MAP VIEW
MAP VIEW-SHADED MAP

Thierry Bineli Betsi

PhD, P. Geo
11/03/2024 GLEN 322_2024 34
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

MAP VIEW-COLOR-CODED
MAP

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 35
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 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Cross section view

It is a vertical section through the Earth that is used to show subsurface features such
as drill holes or underground workings. Cross sections are oriented perpendicular to
the strike or trend of a mineral deposit and are the principal way to show drill holes and
mineralization in the subsurface

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 36
GLEN 322_2024
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
Cross section view

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 37
GLEN 322_2024
 MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA
PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Long-section view

This is a vertical or dipping section through the Earth that is oriented parallel to the
trend or strike of a mineral deposit. This section shows the character of a mineral
deposit as if you are looking at the face of the deposit. They are commonly used to
show the shape, size and grade distribution of a mineral deposit. In vertical sections
the mineral deposit is projected onto the section, whereas in dipping long-section, the
section lies on the deposit

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 38
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PRESENTATION OF MINERAL EXPLORATION DATA

Long-section view

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11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 39
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Thank you for your attention

Thierry Bineli Betsi

11/03/2024 PhD, P. Geo 40
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