Ministry of Energy and Mines

GeologyGeologists and Prospectors

David Lefebure and JoAnne NelsonBC Geological Survey

April 17, 2008

Geology

is the study of the Earth, the materials of which it is made, the structure of those materials, and the processes acting upon them.

Mineral exploration geologists concentrate on understanding mineral resources

to find new resourcesto direct mining activitiesto assist with mitigating environmental impactsto provide expertise related to earth resources

- A type of Geoscience

Types of Minerals Geoscience

Mapping the rocks and soils (geology)

Scanning the earth’s crust (geophysics)

Analysing for metal or mineral (geochemistry)

Finding MineralsGeologists and Prospectors

Prospector: by leaving no stone unturnedGeologist:

by understanding the rocks… but we all like the shiny stuff!

How About Right Next Door?

Don MacIntyreLorne Warren

Life Cycle of M

ining

Geoscience Exploration DiscoveryDevelopment Production Reclamation

Life Cycle of M

ining

Geoscience Exploration DiscoveryDevelopment Production Reclamation

Geologists involved

Who ProvidesPublic Minerals Geoscience?

BC Geological Survey

Geological Survey of Canada

Geoscience BC

Universities

Up Close and Personalwith Rock

Role of Public Minerals Geoscience

1. Provide starting point for prospectors, geologists, companies and government-

2. Generate new mines to provide high-paying jobs, economic base for communities and pay taxes Gov’t maps,

reports, advice

Grassroots Exploration

Prospectors rock!

BC Geoscience Databases

MapPlaceDigital Geology

MINFILEARIS

LithogeochemBC Age Data

Deposit ProfilesCOALFile

Regional GeochemMineral Potential

Geoscience ReportsGeoscience Maps

MapPlaceMapPlaceDigital GeologyDigital Geology

MINFILEMINFILEARISARIS

LithogeochemLithogeochemBC Age DataBC Age Data

Deposit ProfilesDeposit ProfilesCOALFileCOALFile

Regional GeochemRegional GeochemMineral PotentialMineral Potential

Geoscience ReportsGeoscience ReportsGeoscience MapsGeoscience Maps

No 1

in the world!

2006/07

Digital Geology Map of British Columbia(Massey et al., 2006)

First Prospectors and Geologists

Aboriginal peoples have a long history of using/trading rocks, minerals and metals.Stone, obsidian, copper, gold, jade, agate and precious stone were highly prized.About 2000 B.C. an Egyptian, Captain Haroeris, discovered turquoise on a 3 month Sinai expedition.Theophrastus, Aristotle’s pupil, produced first mineralogy text - “Book of Stones”.The first reasonable theories of ore genesis in 1500s by Georgius Agricola.

Prospecting Field SchoolOsooyos

Minerals - A Hidden Resource

Difficult to predict where to find new mines.Expensive to find them.Numerous of examples of finding mines in unexpected places and after many years of exploration.

Afton (BC) and Hemlo (Ont.) mines under Trans Canada highwayDiamonds in Canada

Pennies from Heaven

Everybody stand up.If you found a penny in the room today, stay standing, please sit down.Those of you who found the pennies are observant and looking beneath your feet. Natural prospectors!If you found a penny with a dime or a coloured dot on one side, stay standing.If you have the penny with the coloured dot, come on up, you found the mine.

Early Stage Exploration

Geologists Often Project Leaders

Exploration Field CrewDease Lake area

Geologist in Trench

Advanced Stage Exploration

Geologists Discussing Drill Core

Equipment with Trench

Snowfield Silver Standard Resources Inc.

50 m

>0.5 g/t Au

>2 g/t Au

Drilling to Define a Resource

Main Zone East Zone

700 mDesign Pit

Mine Development

Kutcho Creek

Mining

Geologist’s Tools

Rock hammerHand LensAcidCompassGPSComputers (GIS) Maps

A geological map is a picture of the rocks that make up the “face of the earth”.

The colours pick outrocks of differenttypes and ages. The map is built by taking detailed observations.

Walking, walking, walking.

Terrace Preliminary Data Release

Free CD’s at the Terrace booth. Google-Earth compatible geology, mineral showings, rock assays, more. Partnership between BC Geological Surveyand Terrace Economic Development Authority

Geologists work for:

• natural resource companies

• environmental companies

• government agencies,

• non-profit organizations

• universities.

Many geologists do field work at least part of the time. Others work in laboratories, classrooms or offices. All geologists write reports, do calculations and use computers.

Geology - a Rewarding Career

Requires a university/ college degree in geology

Pre-college students can take courses in earth science, geography, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics

Some geologists earn masters and/or doctorate degrees, ( for example, paleontology, mineralogy or volcanology)

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