NW Mineral Province Discovery Program Compilation Update R Valenta – February 2018 1
Recent history – discoveries and studies DNRME NW Mineral Province Discovery Program SREP 2
Current state Decline in technical resources for exploration companies NWMP mines are maturing • Declining exploration expenditure • Short time frame to closures • Decreasing resources for technical • Declining economics of remaining support ores Lack of exploration success – need Increased role of junior companies for a “step change” • Multiple research projects and • Shorter time frames compilations over decades • Need to reach drill stage quickly • Strong base of data and knowledge • Need to maintain investor interest • Potential to improve industry focus New discoveries will not be easy of precompetitive products • Untried approaches required • Subtle • Blind • Buried under younger cover 3
Future state Key elements New data and of mineral approaches systems aiding understood and exploration mapped Full toolkit for Maximised footprint value and recognition of relevance of important existing data mineral and knowledge systems 4
NWMP Discovery Program Components Comprehensive compilation • updating the existing open file data compilations (to extent possible) • distilling the results of geoscientific studies • ensuring that this information is comprehensive, spatially consistent, well- explained • delivered in a form which can be easily used by explorers and other projects Mineral systems insight • Regional structural/stratigraphic targeting frameworks Mineral systems and footprints • • Studies of Igneous fertility • New insights from data analytics Exploration toolkits • Atlas of Northwest Mineral Province mineral deposits • Geochemistry over post-mineralisation cover sequences • Halo models for recognition of blind or covered systems Transformative new data and interpretations • New regional airborne gravity gradiometry • Cover geochemical surveys Targeted drilling • • New interpretations of existing precompetitive datasets 5
Survey of Industry - results • Responses from a range of major and junior companies • Roles covering range from MD/CEO to Project Geologist 6
Survey of Industry – top half priorities • Open file exploration data (1/26) • Atlas of existing deposits and footprints (2/26) • Full indexed GIS spatial compilation (4/26) • Mount Isa drillcore repository (9/26) 7
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints 8
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Basic geology and geophysics 9
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Basic orebody geometry 10
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Metal zoning and ore examples 11
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Halo mineral zoning 12
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Updated solid geology 13
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Trace element zoning - plan 14
Atlas of existing deposits and footprints Inner halo zoning 15
Mount Isa Region Drillcore Collection 16
Mount Isa drillcore repository • Key resource for explorers in the region • Representative core and accompanying information all major deposits • Collection under way 17
Full indexed spatial data compilation 18
Full indexed GIS spatial compilation • Faceted spatial data index • Updated time-space chart • GIS time-sliced stratigraphy, structure, igneous events • 2D isopachs/depths from existing 3D models • Exploration target compilation • Compilation of miscellaneous legacy datasets – Metamorphic map – NABRE sections – CRC LEME regolith maps – Others as available • Update of solid geology interpretation where justified 19
Faceted spatial data index • Full compilation of reports, theses, publications, etc • Categorised by study focus, data type, mineralisation style,… • Spatially indexed • Faceted search by theme GIS Prospectivity Download • • View • Link 20
Updated time-space chart 1740-1800 21
Updated time-space chart 1670-1650 22
2D isopachs/depths from existing 3D models pmd*CRC I7 report Pmd*CRC – Thickness Leichhardt Superbasin 23
Isopachs from 3D models Pmd*CRC – Thickness Isa Superbasin 1670-1650 24
Exploration target compilation pmd*CRC Feltrin pmd*CRC mag pmd*CRC grav Quamby DMQ-IPI U GMEX-IPI Mira NWQMP2000 Geophysical/ Conceptual Prospectivity Geomechanical Geochemical 25
Current Status and Next Steps • Current Status – Time-space compilation complete – Atlas Prototype complete – Target compilation complete – Spatial data index well progressed – Core collection under way – Legacy datasets near completion – Solid geology updates under way • Next Steps – Expand Atlas Prototype (Mt Isa/EH) to full atlas of all deposits – Full core collection – Additional studies based on gap analysis 26
Success Scenarios 1. In exposed and data-rich areas of the Mount Isa 2. In areas under relatively region: Value-added 3. In deeply covered areas: thin cover: New insights interpretation of New interpretations and 4D into key controlling features geoscientific datasets, models allow mapping of and halos related to known combined with state-of- high priority target regions, deposits, combined with the-art data analytics, and a new major discovery new geophysical and deep- uncovers a previously is made with the aid of looking geochemical data, unrecognised or under- these interpretations and result in a new major appreciated target which new datasets discovery turns into a major discovery 27
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