Exploration Innovation Consortium: Keeping Canada's

Mineral Exploration Globally Competitive

François RobertVP / Chief Geologist, Barrick Gold Corp.

Alan GalleyExploration Research Director, CMIC

CMIC Signature EventToronto, February 11 2013

Agenda / Outline

• Setting the Scene

• EIC vision and program

• Footprints Project

• Next generation of projects

• Conclusions.

The challenges

• Mining Industry challenges– Sustain contribution to Canadian economy– Maintain position as global Industry leaders

• Exploration challenges:– Improve our discovery rate– Find large, profitable deposits

• Context– Maturing exploration landscape– Challenging next frontiers for exploration– Maturing exploration models & technology– Decreasing supply of geoscientists

No discoveries = No new mines

The solution

• Better coordination of R&D efforts– Adequate teams & funds for big problems– Diverse expertise for new solutions– Strong industry input for relevance

• Focus on innovation– Step changes required

• Strong and real partnership– Exploration Industry– Service Providers – Research Institutions– Government agencies

Exploration Innovation Consortium

Exploration Innovation Consortium

• Vision: – Increase Exploration-focused

investments– Drive step-changing innovative R&D – Establish a long-lasting strategic

network • Strategic plan

– Execute on a 10-year R&D program– Establish Footprints Project– Develop next generation of projects

7

Themes DiscoveryCriteria

Discovery Technology

Data to Knowledge

FocusKnowledge and

models Detection Interpretation

Key Questions

• Where to look?

• What to look for?

• How to detect?

• What does the data mean?

Challenges

• Terrane selection

• Area selection• Vectoring to ore

• Mapping and detection tools

• Cheaper drilling

• Visualization and integration

• Using physical property models

Education & Technology Transfer

10-year R&D framework

10 year R&D programs

Deep Mature CampsRemote & Covered

Areas1. Multi-parameter footprints

and 3D vectoring• Detecting edges and

vectoring to ore

1. Characteristics of fertile terranes and districts • How do we select fertile

ground?

2. Techniques to map deep 3D geology• Deep penetrating detection

and mapping techniques

2. Techniques to map sub-surface geology• Drilling, data integration• Data density for detection

3. Real-time down-hole data collection • Real-time decision

3. Secondary dispersion • Understanding

mechanisms• Developing techniques

10 year R&D programs

Deep Mature CampsRemote & Covered

Areas1. Multi-parameter footprints

and 3D vectoring• Detecting edges and

vectoring to ore

1. Characteristics of fertile terranes and districts • How do we select fertile

ground?

2. Techniques to unravel deep 3D geology• Deep penetrating detection

and mapping techniques

2. Techniques to map sub-surface geology• Drilling, data integration• Data density for detection

3. Real-time down-hole data collection • Real-time decision

3. Secondary dispersion • Understand mechanisms• Develop techniques

5-year Footprints project

• Objectives– Develop multi-parameter footprint models

and data integration tools– Enhance signal-to-noise ratio (detectability)

and vector from distal margins to high-grade cores

– Train and mentor geoscientists

DepositDeposit

Ore system footprint

Status

• Leadership from 2 prominent researchers – Strong proposal with strong research team– 42 researchers from 24 Institutions– 44 graduate students

• EIC coordinated strong Industry support– 27 Industry sponsors – Exploration companies & service providers

• Large CRD application to NSERC– Decision expected end of March– If funded: ~$8M cash, ~$13M total over 5y

Largest ever on mineral deposits

Approach

• 3 study sites for robust methodology

• Same data & overlapping teams at each site

• Embedded researchers

Next generation of projects

• Objectives– Maximize innovation opportunities– Develop projects impacting other stages of

mining

• Main approach– Integrate “geology” in Life-of-Mine sequence – Understanding your deposit is critical

• Benefits of LOM approach:– Improved planning and efficiency, – Can reduce risk and costs– Satisfies CMIC’s overarching goals– Leverage outside expertise and funding

Exploration

EXPLORATION TO PROVIDE

RELEVANT DATA & KNOWLEDGE

TO SUPPORT OTHER GROUPS

Exploration and LOM sequence

Deposit

“Modeling” Extraction

Pro

cess

ing

Tailings Management

Remediation

Linking the different groups

• One person’s “geology” is another person’s “waste rock”

Deposit modelDeposit model ExtractionExtraction

Geology

ProcessingProcessing

Rock mass

characterization

Mineral/assay mapping

Geometallurgy/Ore streaming

Exploration contributions to LOM

Deposit Model

Deposit Model ExtractionExtraction ProcessingProcessing TailingsTailings RemediationRemediation

Real-time mineral or geochemical analysisReal-time mineral or geochemical analysis

Mineral mappingMineral mapping

Structural geologyStructural geology

Example: LIBS

• Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) – Developed by National

Research Council

• Real-time analyses– Outcrop /core

sampling– Stope / pit face

assaying

17CoreLIBS system for core samples Analyzing 18 elements; Au <1ppm range.

= 2 kg

Standoff LIBS probe Measuring from +10m

LIBS applications

Applies to all stages of LOM

• Exploration– Real-time assays on outcrop, drill core,

down-hole

• Mining– Remote assays of unsafe areas (UG stopes

or OP benches)– Real-time assays of blast-hole data in OP

• Metallurgy – Real-time monitoring of metals in floatation

circuits

• Taillings/environment– Real-time monitoring of metals/toxic

elements in slurry or surrounding drainages

Current initiatives

All can contribute to LOM sequence

• LIBS: Real time down-hole, surface and underground assaying

• Rock Mass Characterization

• Iron Ore R&D Consortium

• Muon down-hole imaging

• Permafrost challenges

Summary

Deep Mature CampsRemote & Covered

Areas1. Multi-parameter footprints

and 3D vectoring• Detecting edges and

vectoring to ore

1. Characteristics of fertile terranes and districts • How do we select fertile

ground?

2. Techniques to unravel deep 3D geology• Deep penetrating

detection and mapping techniques

2. Techniques to map sub-surface geology• Drilling, data integration• Data density for detection

3. Real-time down-hole data collection • Real-time decision

3. Secondary dispersion • Understand mechanisms• Develop techniques

Conclusions

• Progressing on 10-year plan– Expect 1 project in place this year – 2 more projects by 2014

• Bridging gaps between stages of mining– Very fertile avenue for innovation and

impact– Key for future of Mining Industry

• EIC and Footprints Project– Achieved unprecedented level of

collaboration– Breaking new ground and changing the

culture in Canada

Remember…no discoveries = No new mines!