June Technical Talk

Speaker: Mike McMillan, MSc Candidate & Staff Geophysicist at Newmont Mining Corporation.

Title: Enhancing resolution of 3D-EM inversion models through a co-operative geophysical approach with drilling constraints.

Date: Tuesday June 25th, 2013

Time: 4:30pm

Location: 4th Floor Conference Room, Room 451, 409 Granville (UK Building at Granville and Hastings)

GoToMeeting Details:

For those who cannot attend, the presentation will be broadcast. To join the meeting go to the following link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/join/203384089

This link will be active 15 minutes before the presentation scheduled time. If it is your first time using GoToMeeting it will install a small app on your computer so pplease allow ~10minutes for this. Once connected use your microphone and speakers (headset recommended) or call in using your telephone:

Dial +1 (647) 497-9371 Access Code: 203-384-089 Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting Meeting ID: 203-384-089

Abstract:

When multiple electromagnetic (EM) geophysical datasets are collected over a common area, and drilling information is available, the goal of a geophysicist is to produce a consistent three dimensional resistivity inversion model which fits the given datasets and adheres to the drilling. This feat is usually easier said than done. At the Antonio high sulfidation gold deposit in Peru, time-domain airborne EM, controlled-source audio-magnetotelluric (CSAMT) and induced-polarization (IP) data were gathered and inverted in 3D to recover a large resistor related to gold hosted silica alteration. However variations between the 3D models were observed which further motivated a subsequent co-operative method in which all the geophysics data collectively worked together to produce one consistent resistivity model. This approach was tackled in a few different ways, and some examples are shown with synthetic datasets that quantitatively demonstrate the improved resolution achieved in 3D inversion models by implementing co-operative inversion methods. These routines were then used on field data, and with the addition of physical properties from drill-holes, one resistivity model consistent with all geophysics and drilling information ensued which helped further image the gold rich resistive zone.

POST-TALK: Those interested are encouraged to head to Moose’s Downunder after the talk.

May Technical Talk

Speaker: Greg Hodges – Fugro Airborne Surveys

Title: HELITEMTM Data Over Lalor and Chisel Lake Deposits

Date: Tuesday May 7, 2013

Location: 4th Floor Conference Room, Room 451, 409 Granville (UK Building at Granville and Hastings)

Video-Link: Those who are interested but unable to attend in person will be able to catch the presentation live via online GoToMeeting. Details will be provided the day before.

Abstract:

The test survey that detected the Lalor Lake and Chisel North deposits showed that HELITEM could detect these targets at greater than 550m depth, but it also showed some limitations of modeling and some widely accepted ideas about time domain EM. The initial modeling suggested that the deposit might not be detectable, but the survey went ahead and proved successful, exceeding the predictions. The targets were flown and re-flown with several pulse widths and base frequencies, and the results generally matched prediction from theory, but not always intuitive assumptions. The deposits are well known from extensive drilling and the results of the survey have since been modeled with both discrete plate conductors (LeroiAir) and 3D UBC inversions with good results, but once again some mysteries become apparent.

Post-Talk: Those interested are encouraged to head to Moose’s Downunder after the talk

February Technical Talk

SPEAKER: John A. Chapman, P.Eng

TITLE: The importance of mineral exploration and mining to humans in their space development activities

DATE: Thursday February 21st, 2013

TIME: 4:30pm

LOCATION: Room 451, 409 Granville Street (UK Building at Granville and Hastings)

ABSTRACT: There is presently a surge of government and commercial space initiatives that harkens the beginnings of a new age – that of space development beyond Earth orbit. Dot-com billionaires along with well educated and experienced space scientists, engineers and technologists have begun forming companies focused upon advancing human civilization toward utilization and occupation of the moon, mars and asteroids.

 The wealth from mines, from the dawn of recorded human history, is the epic march of mankind along the path of progress. It was the mines that made ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome great and in more recent times have created immense wealth to the benefit of the people of Europe, North America, Australia and now China, India, Brazil and Russia.

 Today, we are part of the “space generation”, crawling off the surface of the earth into the “oceans of space” – mining will continue to provide the capability for humankind to advance to the moon, mars and on to the stars.

  http://www.aiaa-sf.org/techtalks/2012/0208.html

 http://www.jmeech.mining.ubc.ca/MINE290/minerals%20-%20space%20development.pdf