FINDING TO MINING Rockwatch – Rockstar Awards 2013

CONTENTS • Why do we find and mine

• Finding to Mining Process

• Finding (Exploration)

• Connecting the dots

• Drilling what’s that?

• Geological model

• Mining (Extraction)

3

WHY DO WE FIND AND MINE?

COPPER (Cu)

THERMAL COAL

PLATINUM

Money Supplying power to connect

Electricity for our homes

Electricity for our homes and hospitals

Steam powered transport

Spinal implants Hard disks - memory

Catalytic converters

4

WHY DO WE FIND AND MINE?

MET. COAL IRON (Fe)

NICKEL (Ni) Transport Medical implements

STAINLESS STEEL

DIAMOND Dentist drills

Surgical equipment

Drills for construction

PHOSPHATE

Agricultural fertiliser to grow crops

NIOBIUM

Pacemakers as hypoallergenic

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FINDING TO MINING PROCESS

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STAGES OF FINDING - EXPLORATION

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• Ore:- ‘a mineral or rock which can be worked economically’

WHAT ARE WE FINDING?

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• Orebody:- ‘accumulation of minerals different from the host rock and rich enough in metal to be worth extracting and selling’

WE ARE FINDING MORE THAN ORE

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WHERE WE START – DECIDING A TARGET

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HOW MANY TARGETS TESTED TO FIND A DISCOVERY?

1000

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Geology

FINDING - CONNECTING THE DOTS

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Geology + Geophysics

FINDING - CONNECTING THE DOTS

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FINDING - CONNECTING THE DOTS

Geology + Geophysics + Geochem

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FINDING - CONNECTING THE DOTS

Geology + Geophysics + Geochem = Drill Target

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DRILLING – WHAT’S THAT?

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DRILLING CONTINUED

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GEOLOGICAL MODEL

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GEOLOGICAL MODEL

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GRADE MODEL - DEPOSIT

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N

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BUILDING AN UNDERGROUND MINE

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AN OPERATING UNDERGROUND MINE

THANK YOU