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Ministry of Energy and Mines
GeologyGeologists and Prospectors
David Lefebure and JoAnne NelsonBC Geological Survey
April 17, 2008
Geology
is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them.
Mineral exploration geologists concentrate on understanding mineral resources
to find new resourcesto direct mining activitiesto assist with mitigating environmental impactsto provide expertise related to earth resources
- A type of Geoscience
Types of Minerals Geoscience
Mapping the rocks and soils (geology)
Scanning the earth’s crust (geophysics)
Analysing for metal or mineral (geochemistry)
Finding MineralsGeologists and Prospectors
Prospector: by leaving no stone unturnedGeologist:
by understanding the rocks… but we all like the shiny stuff!
How About Right Next Door?
Don MacIntyreLorne Warren
Life Cycle of M
ining
Geoscience Exploration DiscoveryDevelopment Production Reclamation
Life Cycle of M
ining
Geoscience Exploration DiscoveryDevelopment Production Reclamation
Geologists involved
Who ProvidesPublic Minerals Geoscience?
BC Geological Survey
Geological Survey of Canada
Geoscience BC
Universities
Up Close and Personalwith Rock
Role of Public Minerals Geoscience
1. Provide starting point for prospectors, geologists, companies and government-
2. Generate new mines to provide high-paying jobs, economic base for communities and pay taxes Gov’t maps,
reports, advice
Grassroots Exploration
Prospectors rock!
BC Geoscience Databases
MapPlaceDigital Geology
MINFILEARIS
LithogeochemBC Age Data
Deposit ProfilesCOALFile
Regional GeochemMineral Potential
Geoscience ReportsGeoscience Maps
MapPlaceMapPlaceDigital GeologyDigital Geology
MINFILEMINFILEARISARIS
LithogeochemLithogeochemBC Age DataBC Age Data
Deposit ProfilesDeposit ProfilesCOALFileCOALFile
Regional GeochemRegional GeochemMineral PotentialMineral Potential
Geoscience ReportsGeoscience ReportsGeoscience MapsGeoscience Maps
No 1
in the world!
2006/07
Digital Geology Map of British Columbia(Massey et al., 2006)
First Prospectors and Geologists
Aboriginal peoples have a long history of using/trading rocks, minerals and metals.Stone, obsidian, copper, gold, jade, agate and precious stone were highly prized.About 2000 B.C. an Egyptian, Captain Haroeris, discovered turquoise on a 3 month Sinai expedition.Theophrastus, Aristotle’s pupil, produced first mineralogy text - “Book of Stones”.The first reasonable theories of ore genesis in 1500s by Georgius Agricola.
Prospecting Field SchoolOsooyos
Minerals - A Hidden Resource
Difficult to predict where to find new mines.Expensive to find them.Numerous of examples of finding mines in unexpected places and after many years of exploration.
Afton (BC) and Hemlo (Ont.) mines under Trans Canada highwayDiamonds in Canada
Pennies from Heaven
Everybody stand up.If you found a penny in the room today, stay standing, please sit down.Those of you who found the pennies are observant and looking beneath your feet. Natural prospectors!If you found a penny with a dime or a coloured dot on one side, stay standing.If you have the penny with the coloured dot, come on up, you found the mine.
Early Stage Exploration
Geologists Often Project Leaders
Exploration Field CrewDease Lake area
Geologist in Trench
Advanced Stage Exploration
Geologists Discussing Drill Core
Equipment with Trench
Snowfield Silver Standard Resources Inc.
50 m
>0.5 g/t Au
>2 g/t Au
Drilling to Define a Resource
Main Zone East Zone
700 mDesign Pit
Mine Development
Kutcho Creek
Mining
Geologist’s Tools
Rock hammerHand LensAcidCompassGPSComputers (GIS) Maps
A geological map is a picture of the rocks that make up the “face of the earth”.
The colours pick outrocks of differenttypes and ages. The map is built by taking detailed observations.
Walking, walking, walking.
Terrace Preliminary Data Release
Free CD’s at the Terrace booth. Google-Earth compatible geology, mineral showings, rock assays, more. Partnership between BC Geological Surveyand Terrace Economic Development Authority
Geologists work for:
• natural resource companies
• environmental companies
• government agencies,
• non-profit organizations
• universities.
Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others work in laboratories, classrooms or offices. All geologists write reports, do calculations and use computers.
Geology - a Rewarding Career
Requires a university/ college degree in geology
Pre-college students can take courses in earth science, geography, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics
Some geologists earn masters and/or doctorate degrees, ( for example, paleontology, mineralogy or volcanology)
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