Basic Techniques of Mineral

Exploration
Introduction to Basic Techniques
of Mineral Exploration

Learning Objectives:

Background information
Prospecting and Exploration
Pankaj Vaidya Methods of choosing target areas
Sr. Geologist, Techniques of Prospecting and Exploration
Ground exploration method
Regional Training Division Sampling
Geological Survey of India Geochemical Exploration
Geophysical Exploration
Technological
Scout Drilling
 Background Information
Exploration Companies search globally for mineral deposits that can be
economically mined and processed. Mineral exploration is made up of a
variety of different activities and techniques that are used to find a
potential discovery – which may one day become an operating mine.
Going from a previously unexplored piece of land ("greenfield
exploration") to a well-defined mineral deposit can take years of work
and huge sums of money. The chance of success is slim, but the
right find can yield large benefits for stakeholders.
There are two main groups of techniques that may be utilized
during mineral exploration programs, depending on the mineral
deposit type and stage of exploration that is being pursued – as
well as the location and budget of the program.
 What is Prospecting and Exploration
Mineral Exploration consists of two activities;

Prospecting:- Choosing of suitable mineral target for exploration

Exploration:- the proving of targets located during prospecting

The methods employed during either of the activities can not be rigidly
isolated.

But prior to starting prospecting or exploration it is necessary to choose the

target areas which can yield mineral deposits.
 Methods of Choosing Target Areas
The selection of target areas should be done by process of sequential elimination of
areas of poor potential.

Study of background literature:- GSI, Publish/Unpublished reports, memoirs,

bulletins, records, State DGM reports etc.,

Ground methods :- Rapid reconnaissance survey followed by detailed field traverses

Direct Field evidence:- Float ore, topography, stratigraphy, lithology, contact

surfaces, structure, alteration haloes, old workings, tailing dumps, smelting activities

Remote Sensing and Special methods:- Satellite imageries, metallogenic,

minerogenic & tectonic maps, geochronological, geochemical data
 Stages of Exploration
The exploration for any mineral deposits involves four stages namely;
Reconnaissance Survey (G-4)
 Preliminary Exploration (G-3)
 General Exploration (G-2)
 Detailed Exploration (G-1)
These stages of exploration lead to four resource categories
Reconnaissance Mineral Resource (334)
Inferred Mineral Resource (333)
Indicated Mineral Resource (332)
Measured Mineral Resource (331)
Resource categories shows degree of geological assurance
Techniques of Prospecting and Exploration
 Ground Exploration method
Detailed Ground exploration of Targets
1.Large Scale mapping (LSM):- Delineating potential mineral bearing areas and
generally done on 1:12,500 or 1: 10,000.
What to observed: Outcrops, structures, mineralisation, river & stream cutting, old workings if
any.

2. Detailed mapping (DM):- 1:1000/1:2000 Scale:- DM should be taken based on

report/map of the LSM. The boundary points of DM block should fixed by DGPS survey. DM is
necessary to delineate the probable ore body. DM narrow down the target area.
 Sampling
 Sampling is the backbone of any mineral exploration projects.
 It is an essential process of Mineral exploration, commencing from the LSM to mine development and exploitation of
deposits.
 It is the process of taking small portion of material, the consistency of which represents the whole.
 The purpose and quantum of sampling depends on objective of the project.

Sampling during LSM & DM:

1. to identify the rock type,
2. to understand the geological events,
3. to delineate mineralized zone,
4. to elucidate the type and nature of mineralization.

Sampling after LSM & DM:

1.to ascertain the characteristics of mineral deposits,
2.its chemical grade,
3.mineralogical composition,
4.bulk density,
5.spatial distribution in the area
 Sampling (continued)
Soil sampling: carried out in grid pattern to delineate mineralized zone (useful for base
metal, chromite, manganese)

Stream Sediments: Covering large areas, should be collected on 1.0km X 1.0 km grid
either of first or second order stream.

Bedrock/Chips/ grooves sampling: BRS should be collected in regular grid pattern in the
form of chips/grooves from the exposed outcrops to identify the anomalous zone or to
determine general grade of deposits.

Grab sampling: Random sampling, carried out in any stage of exploration, quick
approximation of the grade.

 Channel sampling: Suitable for uniformly distributed mineralization in the form of veins
stringers and disseminations. The sampling is generally carried out by cutting of
Channels across mineralized body in fresh surface exposures.
Method of collection of Channel samples
 Geochemical Exploration
Essential principle of Geochemical exploration: The quantitative determination of
anomalous distribution of certain elements in the surface soil and sub-surface overburden and comparison
with a known background values give an idea of the rocks, mineral deposits hidden below the ground.
It deals with enrichment or depletion of certain chemical elements in the vicinity of mineral deposits
other than barren regions.
Systematic measurement of one or more element or group of element in the earth crust, such rock,
soil, stream or lake sediment constitutes geochemical prospecting in mineral exploration.

Primary Dispersion: if the dispersion takes place, simultaneous with the ore deposition.
Secondary Dispersion: if the dispersion takes place, at a later stage after the ore deposition.
The deep seated Environment: Characterised by high temperature, pressure, restricted circulation of
fluids and low free oxygen content. Magmatic and metamorphic process predominate in this zone. In deep
seated environment, the channel ways and sites of redeposition are generally fissures and intergranular
opening of deep seated rocks.
The surficial Environment: Characterised by low temperature, low pressure, free movement of solution.
Surficial processes such as weathering, erosion and sedimentation predominate this zone. In this
environment, the dispersal of material is through fissures, joints of the surficial or near surface rocks,
through soil, stream sediments, water etc.
 Geochemical Exploration (Continued)
Common Practice followed for Geochemical Exploration:-
Collection of rock samples
Collection of soil samples
Collection of Stream Sediment Samples
Collection of Water Samples
The samples should be collected at regular intervals, the grid lines being transverse
to the strike of the suspected zone of mineralisation
 Geophysical Exploration
Geophysical prospecting is the search for hidden mineral deposits by the
measurement of certain physical properties of the earth’s surface.
This involves the field measurement of certain properties like
 Gravity (Massive Sulphide ore, Iron Ore, Chromite etc.)
 Magnetism (Magnetite, Pyrrhotite with base metal)
 Electrical conductivity (Metallic Mineral Deposits)
Seismic (to check the capacity of rocks to transmit the earthquake
waves)
Geophysical techniques can be especially useful on properties that have a large amount of
overburden, making it difficult or impossible to access mineralized rock for geochemical analysis.
Certain geophysical methods can detect anomalies 500 metres below surface.
 Technological
Trenching:- A trench is a narrow linear excavation which is generally
done to expose concealed outcrop where the soil is not too deep
(upto 4 m). Trenches are usually employed to expose steep dipping
bedrock buried below shallow overburden.

Pitting:- Pitting is usually employed to test shallow, extensive, flat-

lying bodies of mineralization. Pits dug to depths of 3–4 m are
common and with large equipment excavation to 6 m can be
achieved.
 Scout Drilling
Scout Drilling is done exclusively for confirming the presence of
deposits discovered on the basis of exploration conducted by
geological, geochemical, geophysical methods. It can be coring or
non-coring drills.
The samples resulting from such drilling are analysed to study the
major elements and their percentage.
 Questionnaire/Quiz

1. What is Prospecting and Exploration?

2. While choosing potential target areas in mineral exploration what are the
direct field evidences?

3. 334 indicate which resource categories?

4 What is the significance of Channel sampling?

 धन्यवाद / Thank You
GSITI