Geological Mapping techniques to enhance mineral exploration
L.J.Hutton
AGGSNA Airphoto - S of Cloncurry flown at 3500m (1935)
Commonwealth1:80K RC9 Airphoto – Camooweal area flown at 7500m (25 000’) (mid 1960s)
Improvements in Aerial photography
Composite radiometric and colour-draped TMI image images of the Tommy Creek area showing outline of felsic
rocks
Geology of the Tommy Creek area - based on BMR-GSQ mapping (1969) Hill & others (1992) with modifications by Withnall, 2006)
Milo beds
Mitakoodi Quartzite
Cover
Unnamed granite
Metadolerite
Porphyritic felsic volcanics
Corella Formation
Chumvale Breccia
Overhang Jaspilite
Quartzite conglomerate & sandstone
Marble, calc granofels, minor siltstone & sandstone
Muscovite-garnet schist
Graphitic schist
Mafic to intermediate lavas & clastics
Tommy Creek Microgranite
Argylla Formation
Undivided (graphitic schist, marble & calc granofels)
South-west Georgetown area:
Basement interpretation
Reinterpretation of a ‘cover’ area – Julia Creek 1:250K – magnetic data
1st VD image showing mafic units from the Proterozoic Soldiers Cap Group and probable magnetic units in the newly recognised Millungera Basin
3D model of Quamby area
The 6 blind men and the elephant
Poem by John Godfrey Saxe, cartoon by G. Renee Guzlas
Five Questions
1. What is the geodynamic setting of the system?2. What is the architecture of the system?3. What are the fluids, their sources and
reservoirs?4. What are the fluid flow drivers and pathways?5. What are the metal transport and deposition
processes?
• Geodynamic setting is a first-order constraint on commodity type and mineralisation style and needs to be an important consideration when developing exploration strategies
•Recognition of the range of geodynamic settings expands the range of possible mineralisation styles and opens up new exploration possibilities
• New and innovative mineralisation models based on updated geodynamic interpretations, combined with appropriate exploration strategies, can be primary drivers for greenfields exploration success
Important points
1. Geological maps are a prime requirement for finding new deposits
2. Need to understand what we are looking for3. Need to understand the mineral system4. If we don’t find the deposit – we can find
vectors to the deposit5. For under cover targeting – need geophysics.
Thank you