Abstract:

KoBold Metal’s approach to inversion is to include as much possible information, including multi-physics datasets and subsurface measurements, to generate large ensembles of candidate models that all explain the observed data. Statistical analysis of those models allows us to quantify the likelihood of finding a particular type of target at any location. This enables us to quantify the risk associated with our drill programs, and helps us to identify and quantify the potential at a project, leading to more accurate and more efficient decision making. We’ll outline how such analysis can also remind us of the inherent limitations of gravity and magnetic data, and we’ll apply the methods on a nickel-sulfide exploration case study.

Bio:

Nick specialises in advanced integration of geology and geophysics through geophysical inversion and data science. He’s worked for Geoscience Australia, the Ivanhoe Group of companies, Barrick and KoBold Metals. Originally a geologist, he also holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from the University of British Columbia.

Recording

Abstract

Lithoprobe (1984 – 2005), Canada’s national, collaborative, multidisciplinary, Earth science research project, investigated the structure and evolution of the Canadian landmass and its margins. One of its many contributions was the demonstration that scientists from geophysics and geology must work together to achieve thorough and comprehensive interpretations of all available data sets. In my talk, this point is exemplified by summarizing data and interpretations from five exploration-related studies derived from journal publications: 1) Guichon Creek batholith (porphyry copper/molybdenum) in south-central B.C.; 2) Matagami region (volcanogenic massive sulfides) of Quebec; (3) Sudbury structure (nickel deposits) in Ontario; 4) Athabasca basin (uranium) in NW Saskatchewan; and 5) Snap Lake kimberlite dyke (diamonds) in the NWT.

Bio

Ron Clowes, Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, UBC

A native of Calgary, AB, Ron received BSc (1964), MSc (1966) and PhD (1969) degrees from the U. of Alberta. In 1970, he joined the then Dept. of Geophysics & Astronomy (now EOAS), “retired” in 2007 and is currently Professor Emeritus. In 1987, he was appointed Director of Lithoprobe, Canada’s national geoscience project, a position he held until the project’s conclusion in 2005. His personal research centered on multichannel seismic reflection, seismic refraction/wide-angle reflection and other geophysical studies of the Earth’s lithosphere on land and at sea; and relation of the geophysical results to geology and tectonics. For nearly 30 years, tis research was associated with Lithoprobe. As Director of Lithoprobe, he was instrumental in both its success as a project and its international acclaim. Through his research and Lithoprobe activities, Ron has received numerous awards, including the Order of Canada (1998), Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (1994), Logan Medal of GAC (2005), Honorary membership in the CSEG (1995), among many others.

Recording

Abstract

Discovered in 2010, a full 22 years after the previous discovery at Lombador, Semblana is the sixth of seven known deposits within the greater Neves-Corvo mining concession. Located in a mature terrain less than 3 km from the operation’s headframe, the lengthy time it took to discover Semblana was affected by macroeconomics, multiple changes in company management, and technological advances in equipment, inversion methods and visualisation tools. The fact that Semblana lies 800 m below surface and has neither a strong gravity anomaly nor a stellar EM response didn’t help.

The story of Semblana was first presented at Exploration ’17 by West and Penney (2017). Had modern exploration tools been available earlier, history would have likely been different. The story of Semblana is therefore worth upgrading and repeating, not to re-write history, but to re-run the discovery playbook using newer data and modern inversion methods. Two stories will be presented: Semblana as it happened, and Semblana as it might be discovered today.

Recording