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!