CSA Global Principal Geologist Warren Potma will participate at the inaugural Australian Geoscience Council Convention (AGCC) as a Keynote Speaker on ‘Managing risk with quantitative integrated 3D mineral system characterisation” between 14-18 October during Earth Science Week in Adelaide, South Australia.
Warren will be joined by Principal Geologist, Dr Carl Brauhart who will deliver an oral presentation on the OSNACA project.
This year’s theme: Big Issues and Ideas in Geoscience is designed to highlight and comprehensively cover the fundamental role that Geoscience has as a major field of science throughout the Asia-Pacific region – one that has a part to play in the life of everyone.
The convention will cover all aspects of Geoscience, with technical themes covering theoretical and applied Geoscience, mineral and energy resources, environmental and societal science, Geoscience education and communication, and emerging technologies.
The Technical Program has five scientific themes:
• Theme 1: Understanding the Earth
• Theme 2: Life on Earth – origins and diversity
• Theme 3: Resources – discovery, development, use and sustainability
• Theme 4: Applied Geosciences in the 21st Century – innovation, technology and the future
• Theme 5: Beyond the rocks – geoscience in our society: current application and future trends
Read detailed abstracts below on presentations to be delivered by CSA Global throughout the 4-day planned event.
ABSTRACT – Managing risk with quantitative integrated 3D mineral system characterisation
We are all familiar with the issues facing our mineral exploration sector: diminishing success rates, increasing cost of discovery, issues of cover, paucity of low-hanging fruit, low Resource grades.
The critical risk/reward tipping points occur early in the mining lifecycle. Generative (ground acquisition) is a game-changing decision point often poorly supported by quantitative/integrated data interrogation. While early stage reconnaissance exploration (prospect definition) presents the highest cost phase with the lowest likelihood of success (project progression to drill testing).
The most robust exploration & development decisions are possible when: all existing data is systematically integrated and interrogated; data and interpretations are placed in a 4D mineral system framework, and considered in a mineral system process context; data gaps are identified and rectified before expensive decisions are made; and value is placed on acquiring the appropriate quantitative data early in the project lifecycle.
The “apparent” expense of collecting and integrating the “right” datasets early, has a value multiplying effect throughout the project lifecycle providing volumetrically representative quantitative data and a 3D mineral system model that reduces costs and risk, while dramatically improving outcomes across the mining value chain from ground selection, through all stages of exploration, 3D modelling, geometallurgy, metallurgy, process design, mine design, scheduling, environmental and closure.
Two case studies are presented demonstrating the value of early collection and 3D integration and modelling of critical quantitative datasets in magmatic hydrothermal mineral systems, providing a cradle to grave unifying link across the mining value chain.
Plenary: Applied Geoscience – Geohazards, Risks and Society
Session 3.1.2 Making better exploration decisions through an integrated approach
Keynote: ‘Managing risk with quantitative integrated 3D mineral system characterisation’
Hall E2 – Technical Session 6
Time: 9.30am
ABOUT WARREN POTMA
Warren Potma
Principal Geologist
Warren is a Principal Geologist with CSA Global Mining Industry Consultants, where he specialises in integrated mineral systems analysis with a focus on structural geology and geometallurgy. His background includes: An MSc in structural Geology from Monash Uni; gold exploration and mining with Anglogold; mineral systems and exploration technology R&D with CSIRO, where he went on to successfully develop the CSIRO-Chile Mining and Mineral Processing International Centre of Excellence in Chile for CSIRO; and stints as exploration manager for Hot Chili, Silver Swan Group and Caravel Resources (Base metals & Au). At CSA Global, Warren is leading the paradigm shift to early stage implementation of integrated 3D GEOmet (holistic mineral system) characterisation and modelling strategies, to maximise value throughout the exploration and mining value chain.
ABSTRACT: The OSNACA Project: Updates to the map of Magmato-Hydrothermal space
The OSNACA Project began in 2011 as an open source project where ore samples from around the world are analysed at BV-Ultratrace in Perth for 65 elements. Data are made available through the CET website at the University of WA where corresponding hand-specimen and laboratory pulp collections are maintained. Funds for the first 1,000 samples have recently been exhausted leading to a second round of fund raising for the next 1,000 analyses. The data have been modelled to reveal a geochemical continuum that corresponds closely with a spectrum of ore deposit types that has been proposed in various parts of the literature. The geochemical model, referred to as Magmato-Hydrothermal Space, is presented in its most up to date form along with modifications to the OSNACA transform that better discriminate mineralisation-related from lithological signatures.
Plenary: The future of Geoscience in our society
Session 3.1.6 New frontiers in ore system research
Technical Session 5 – Hall E2
Time: 5.15pm
ABOUT CARL BRAUHART
Dr Carl Brauhart
Exploration Geologist
Dr Brauhart is an exploration geologist with more than 20 years’ experience in gold and base-metal exploration, spending much of that time working in frontier areas of Western Australia on grassroots projects. He has a particular interest in geochemistry, both exploration geochemistry and ore deposit geochemistry, and a passion for field work, particularly mapping. Carl has maintained a close association with the Centre for Exploration Targeting at the University of Western Australia where he is the lead researcher on the OSNACA Project (an ore deposit geochemistry research effort).
To reach our presenters, click here to be contacted.