Minerals - Discovery to Recovery

In the evolving world of communication in geology and geoscience,  the importance of dialogue leads the way to deal with some of society’s grand challenges. Iain Stewart is at the forefront, helping build effective communication strategies to advance the global geoscience mission. We also explore an example of empathetic, community centred dialogue with Kate Moore.  A two-way conversation is criti...

In many geoscience communities, the topic of declining enrollments globally across the discipline is very worrying.  How can we demonstrate to the public the critical role earth science plays in supporting well-being of both human society and ecological systems?  This episode highlights inspiring stories from three continents in the southern hemisphere – all early career scientists who are engagin...

Diamonds have long captured the imagination and interest of people across the globe. Each stone has a unique story to tell, and those stories are only becoming deeper and more fascinating with the latest advancements in geoscience, social science and consumer activism.   This week’s episode looks at two different facets of diamonds.  Evan Smith is a Senior Research Scientist at the Gemological Ins...

Arguably the most important tool in exploration and mining is the drill, without it we lack the ability to collect data in that critical third dimension.  We start with  the basics of drilling technologies and communication between geologists and drillers, then delve into the power unleashed by oriented core and real-time data collection of critical drilling metrics.  From the current state of the...

Linking whole rock geochemistry with mineralogy provides tremendous value to exploration and mining projects.  We all want high quality, reliable results to make the best maps and models.  What are the critical factors in acquiring spectral or geochemical data?  How can we be sure our spectroscopy and geochemistry are the best they can be?  How do we integrate our mineralogy data sets?  Join us to...

Active geothermal systems are sources of clean energy and provide insights into ore forming processes. What are two economic geologists learning as they each pursue deep holes, big science, and audacious ideas to help provide the world’s energy needs from clean, renewable sources?   Stuart Simmons started his career in New Zealand, making key observations with big implications for low-sulfidation...

As gold makes it way to surface, what are the key observations for exploration geologists to make? How did we come to understand epithermal deposits and their relationships to intrusions and the paleosurface?  And how important are our structural observations?   Gold can occur within Cu-Au porphyries and intrusion-related lodes, but also makes its way to the surface where a range of epithermal dep...

Can we track the evolution of a fertile porphyry system from the mantle to the deposit?  The FAMOS (From Arc Magmas to Ores) Project in the UK was conceived to tackle the fundamental processes involved in porphyry ore systems and brought a diverse set of researchers and industry collaborators together.  The interdisciplinary teams combined experimental petrology, volcanology, numerical modelling a...

Carbonatites are controversial rocks that are associated with a diverse range of commodities, such as niobium, phosphate, copper, and light rare earth elements (LREE). This week we dive into some of the latest thinking about carbonatite genesis and ore forming processes, and consider the challenges involved in characterizing and producing these complex ore bodies.   First off, Emma Humphreys-Willi...

Across Canada prospectors are at the forefront of discovery.  Shawn Ryan leads using innovative and comprehensive exploration programs resulting in multiple discoveries of gold.  Jessica and Katarina Bjorkman grew up with prospecting and continue to follow their passion and explore all the career has to offer, balancing consulting and work on their own claims.   Shawn Ryan (Ryanwood Exploration) a...

Prospecting is fundamental to the discovery of new ore deposits.  Geologists who prospect and prospectors who do geology are the subject of this and next week’s episode.   In the Yukon Territory, Canada, prospectors are finding new mineralization with the support of a unique grant program. The Yukon Mineral Exploration Grant (YMEP) is at the root of several discoveries in the last 20 years, suppor...

Microbes have a powerful influence on Earth processes, leave clues useful for mineral exploration and provide a more environmentally sustainable way of processing ores.  Bridging the divide between geoscience and bioscience may well be critical to the future of mining and exploration.  We understand much of the potential and the impact of microbial communities, but the incredible diversity of micr...

What does an early career researcher working on a Proterozoic Pb-Zn deposit in Namibia have in common with a senior scientist at the forefront of geothermal research in New Zealand?   Listen in to hear how passionate they both are about the negative impact of ‘Parachute Science’  - effectively dropping in and conducting research without local collaboration.   To tackle this issue, we need to work...

Join us for a Fireside Chat full of inspiring and quirky stories, first presented at #SEG100 . We  are celebrating 100 years of SEG as 2021 comes to a close. These are stories worth hearing! Russell Meares, a long time SEG volunteer and well known exploration geologist shares what he has learned through his years of digging up the less well known stories of the founders of the Society. Anne Thomps...

What are you standing on? There are secrets to be discovered in those grungy red, black and brown rocks! Deconvolution of the weathering process is critical to understanding our Earth and for exploration in both arid and humid environments. We have two extremely knowledgeable guests, who have spent their careers working in this environment. They talk about the 'messy' rocks and discuss t...

Magmatic sulfide deposits have arguably the most quantified deposit model, but what are the game changers in our understanding? Despite a decades old foundational model for their formation, what is new and what should be considered in the search for new resources? This episode checks in with an expert in magmatic sulfides engaged in the global pursuit as well as those researching emerging ideas th...

What does better ore body knowledge do for mining? Consistency in our data collection, ore sorting at the mine face and detailed characterization of mine waste, can all lead to value creation coupled with more responsible mining. This episode looks at all aspects of the mining value chain, learning where new technology, data analysis and approaches are already having an impact. Datarock is a Melbo...

For the average exploration geologist, resource estimation may appear a bit of a nebulous process, disconnected from the early stages of drilling and discovery. On this week’s episode we try and bridge the gap between the first drill hole into a project and the associated estimation process. First, we talk to Jacqui Coombes (CEO of AMIRA and based in Perth, Australia). Jacqui introduces the fundam...

The seafloor remains one of the least explored areas on Earth. Join us for a deep dive, to understand the science needed to advance our understanding and help to find the mineral resources that may well be needed by society in the future. We get the overview on both the history and the future from Mark Hannington (University of Ottawa, Canada). From the collaboration involved in studying black smo...

Globally, the work of geological surveys supports mineral exploration, but also touches on many areas that are fundamental for human society. This week look at the different types of work at three surveys and see how they support exploration, but also wider society. First up is ‘The Capacity Builder’, with Andrew Bloodworth (British Geological Survey) highlighting the work they do globally to supp...

Green rocks are a common alteration feature of porphyry deposits,  but it can be hard to decipher meaningful information from them for exploration. This week we dive into the results of years of multi-organization research and studies to see what has been learned, review a case study at Oyu Tolgoi, Mongolia and get a 'reality check' with from an industry perspective. First off David Cook...

The Cu-Au porphyries in British Columbia, Canada vary in setting, size, age and grade, and occur in a region with a complex tectonic history. This episode is about these systems and the key factors in their origin which also guide modern exploration. Our guests are also all authors in the recent CIM volume on porphyry deposits of the northwestern Cordillera. Mitch Mihalynuk (DEEP TIME Research Gro...

Placer Gold Puzzles starts with the Witwatersrand, South Africa and  the long debate over the model for gold formation. After that, we head to Brazil to see how quality geochemical data analysis assisted by machine learning helped decipher a Proterozoic paleo placer. Lastly we consider changing mindsets about legacy mining through a new model that aims to create net benefit from the mining of plac...

Welcome to the second season of Discovery to Recovery! How can we use 'the human factor' to create better outcomes in mining and exploration? Nicole Doucette is host, bringing us two powerful, personal stories about navigating jobs and careers, in mining engineering and economic geology. The first is a conversation with Kal-Kidan , a mining engineering student in Australia, whose parents...

Richard Sillitoe and John Thompson talk about the evolution of the porphyry model from plate tectonics to lithocaps, mineral zoning, and the link to epithermal gold systems. How has the classic ‘tops and bottoms of porphyry deposits’ model changed and what have we learned over 50 years to guide our exploration. A prime example of the epithermal - porphyry connection is well known at the Lihir Gold...