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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Smart Exploration (Sustainable mineral resources by utilizing new Exploration technologies)

Teaser

Summary

Smart Exploration is focused primarily on developing seismic, electromagnetic and potential-field methods and instruments to be used separately and/or jointly for mineral exploration in highly noisy, near-mine environments (brownfield exploration) for deep (i.e. 300-1500 m) targets using common Earth 3D models. Brownfield exploration typically has large and diverse legacy datasets that were acquired over decades of geochemical sampling, drilling and geophysical campaigns. The sheer volume of these data can be challenging to correlate and interpret without the aid of innovative software-hardware solutions employing experiences long gained in their challenging host rock geological setting. The ultimate goal of the project is developing cost-effective, environmentally-friendly tools and methods for (i) geophysical exploration, as well as (ii) other aspects such as geological and geochemical target vectoring and generations. There are primarily three core technical work packages that make up the Smart Exploration project: (a) New Instruments, (b) Advanced Subsurface Imaging and Modelling and, (c) Data and Target Generation. The motivation to focus on these three areas required an examination of what was already available (state-of-the-art), what could be done to improve the existing systems and propose novel or innovative solutions. In the first category of new instrumentation, five tasks or sub-projects were established to improve the deep exploration for the discovery of new deposits or mineralization. The project intends to introduce new prototypes for both greenfield and brownfield exploration sites involving the use of UAV and helicopter-based geophysical systems, prototypes for in-mine and slimhole geophysical surveys as well as developing new algorithms for better handling and modelling of legacy and modern geophysical and geological data.

Work performed

Although development of the technical elements of the various tasks would typically be the main areas measured, novel or innovative approaches were also undertaken in public outreach, professional development of young geoscientists and dissemination of project results.Each one of these instruments brings a significant improvement of the existing technologies from a cost effectiveness perspective to improved resolution at greater depths to reduction in environmental impacts. As an example, the development of the broadband seismic source, validated already, by Seismic Mechatronics demonstrates these aspects. Their E-vib seismic source eliminates the need for costly explosive charges and minimizing the environmental impact of seismic surveys, which is positive for local communities. Also, the compact unit is easily transportable for surface surveys and in underground mining applications, demonstrated in the project on the in-mine seismic survey at the Neves-Corvo mine.

The Advanced Subsurface Imaging and Modelling work package has demonstrated the linkage between legacy datasets, new data acquisition and enhanced resolution of 3D images to greater depths. For example, the time-domain EM inversion algorithms have been completed by the Aarhus University team and will be ready for the validation phase when the new airborne data by SkyTEM from the Ludvika mines, Sweden and Skouries-Fisoka region, Greece become available. The new seismic processing algorithms have proved to be useful in not only providing better seismic images but also showing potential resources extending downdip in the Ludvika mines.

Legacy data are an important source of historical information for near-mine or brownfield exploration because much of these data cannot be reacquired due to expansion of infrastructure or development in mining areas. The project has showcased this with new knowledge being generated at all the six validation sites. A number of peer-reviewed and popular science articles have been published for dissemination purposes highlighting this point.

With six exploration/mining sites in Sweden (iron ore), Finland (phosphate), Portugal (Cu-Zn), Greece (Al & Cu-Au) and Kosovo (Cr-Ni-Co), Smart Explorationâ€™s partners have applied their new instrumentation and software to validate the developments in areas of active exploration. In advance of the validation phase, industry partners: Nordic Iron Ore, Yara Suomi Oy, Somincor, Hellas Gold, Dephi-Distomon and Proxis provided legacy datasets to initiate 3D geological modelling and help generate new targets for further validation purposes or instrument and anomaly checking.

As the project reaches the midpoint of its three-year duration, virtually all the work package tasks are progressing as planned with some significant preliminary interpretations derived from legacy data and verified by new data acquisition (e.g. Ludvika, Neves-Corvo and SiilinjÃ¤rvi). At Nordic Iron Oreâ€™s BlÃ¶tberget deposit for example, the 3D seismic survey provided evidence that the geological unit that hosts the Kiruna-type (apatite iron-oxide ore) mineralization extends over 300 m deeper than the drill confirmed limits.

Over twenty young professionals are working in the Smart Exploration project either in the companies or at universities and research institutions within a multidisciplinary team involving academics, engineers and explorationists, business developers and managers.

Final results

An assessment of the effectiveness of the project requires some measurements or metrics to evaluate whether Smart Exploration has achieved its intended objectives and will achieve its planned goals. Some 19 key success indicators (KSI) have been proposed. Realistically it would be difficult to achieve all or even most of the KSIâ€™s within the three-year life of the Smart Exploration with many to be determined two to five years after the completion of the project. These were however our target KSIs from the beginning of the project hoping that even if 25% of these are met the project would be considered successful.

For example, most industry partners like Lundin Mining (Somincor), Eldorado Gold (Hellas) and Nordic Iron Ore are publicly-listed companies that are subject to strict regulations on public disclosure and resource estimates. Consequently, any information released about the companiesâ€™ activities and mine reserves/life of mine must be unequivocally supported by data. Specifically, any information about resources must indicate the level of confidence (measured, indicated, inferred) based on drilling, sampling and analytical results. Since Smart Exploration focuses on geophysical interpretation, its outcome will often be indications of possible extensions of known geological units or horizons that host mineralization or geophysical anomalies with characteristics of mineralized lithologies. Smart Explorationâ€™s WP4 is specifically tasked with target generations but any mineralization must be confirmed by drilling. One patent application, 3-4 planned, a trademark, over 20 publications already illustrate how successful the project will be at the end of its life.