role of predictive science in ni-cu-(pge)...
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Thunder Bay CIM
June 2008
Steve Beresfordnewgenco
Role of predictive science in Ni-Cu-(PGE) exploration:
A mineral systems approach
Introduction
Predictive models and industry perceptionsDealing with technical uncertainityUnderstanding the continuum of magmatic depositsMineral systems approachMythsPredictive models and use in exploration
Have we learnt the lesson from the recent discoveries?
Search space is deepening putting increasing importance on predictive explorationHowever the majority of industry is not comfortable with predictive science and majority of academia are focussed on non spatial science why?There has never been such a huge discrepancy between research and industry in ideas and focuseg over 600 papers on komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu deposits and only 2 papers on komatiite Ni camps
LOWBROAD REGIONAL
PREDICTION
Research has maximum benefit at the predictive scale
HIGH
PROSPECT SCALE
SCALE
REL
ATIV
EEF
FEC
TIVE
NES
S
DETECTION
Hronsky 2007
First step is a psychological one“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible”
Lord Kelvin 1895
“I think there is a world market for about 5 computers”
Watson IBM chairman 1947
Managing technical uncertainityGet in touch with the psychological aspects of our science. If you think this is airy fairy then that illustrates the problem. The future:• Understand the technical risks• Range analysis• Image predictive concepts• Teams ”wisdom of the crowd”
Understand the Continuum of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits
MgO
* Proterozoic
Targeting
Ni:Cu
Pd:Ir
Mapping
MgO
32% 7%
Magnetics Gravity
Kabanga
Pechenga
Raglan
Perseverance
KambaldaMt Keith
Voisey’s Bay Tati
Nebo-Babel
Noril’sk
Jinchuan
Kabanga
Pechenga
Raglan
Perseverance
Kambalda
Mt Keith
Voisey’s Bay
Tati
Nebo-Babel
Noril’skJinchuan
Electrical
Genetic model
Valmaggia
PechengaRaglan
Perseverance
Kambalda
Mt Keith
Voisey’s Bay
Nebo-Babel
Noril’skJinchuan
Depth of emplacement
Sally Malay
Base of LC
Surface
Valmaggia
Pechenga
Raglan
Perseverance
Kambalda
Mt KeithVoisey’s Bay
Nebo-BabelNoril’sk
Jinchuan
S source
Mantle Crustal
Pechenga
Raglan
Perseverance
Kambalda
Mt Keith
Voisey’s Bay
Noril’sk
Jinchuan
Sulfide trap
Basalembayment
Dilationalsite Munali
Kalatongke
Deposit model versus Mineral System approaches
Deposit models – based on finding geological characteristics interpreted to be favourable for mineralisation in known deposits• E.g. Differentiated dolerite in YilgarnMineral Systems – based on finding evidence for interpreted critical mineralising processes• E.g. Olympic Dam
Key idea
Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits form part of a lithospheric scale magmatic
system
Do we understand the entire system?
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