Exploration Geochemistry from Anomalies to Footprinting

Exploration Geochemistry from Anomalies to Footprinting

Exploration geochemists focus on successful case studies, where they characterize the footprint of a specific deposit and recommend searching for the same footprint to find new deposits. However, there are very few talks about the vast majority of projects that identified only false anomalies that were followed up by expensive drilling.  The mineral industry needs to  question the effectiveness of geochemical surveys and improve outcomes. Questioning accepted practices leads to scientific breakthroughs and innovation.  A series of case studies will be presented to demonstrate how new tools and approaches create break-throughs and improve targeting. The range of insights include:

1: The need of quality control in geochemistry: From noise to data;

2: Metal deportment in soil: Insights from SEM X-Ray mapping about where and why metals accumulate;

3: Variability of the recipient environment and sensitivity of metal fixation: How to deconvolute the signal;

4: Bayesian logic, machine learning and how to recognize intricate geochemical footprints; and

5: Automated mineralogy: Application of technology to provide cost effective tools for gold exploration. 

Speaker: Réjean Girard

President IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc.

While I was a student in Laval University, some 35 years ago, I conducted my first geochemistry surveys for Québec’s Energy and Resources Department. In 1992, I founded IOS, a consulting group dedicated to mineral exploration, that has grown to nearly 80 employees and project management worldwide. Managing a consulting business with a wide spectrum of services within a small market has been a privilege, since it exposed me to a vast array of diversified projects (more than 1,400 over 25 years) and a vast number of industry specialists with a mosaic of vision. It has been a constructive challenge to be constantly redefined and forced to innovate to differentiate ourselves. Now, it’s my turn to challenge the industry…

Register here for the online broadcast, courtesy of Geosoft.