Modern industrialized society requires the consumption of key mineral resources to produce multiple types of products. However, before they can be processed into useful products, they must be found and extracted from their sources. This article will examine mineral prospecting and exploration, two distinct yet related processes in mineral exploitation.
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Introduction to Mineral Prospecting and Exploration
Prospecting and exploration is a vital stage in the mining process. Various technologies and techniques are used to identify potential mineral deposits at this stage. While they are related processes, there is a critical distinction between prospecting and exploration: prospecting involves searching for potential mineral resources, whereas exploration requires a more detailed site analysis.1
The primary purpose of prospecting and exploration is to identify locations with sufficient mineral and metal resources, such as gold, silver, iron, gypsum, or limestone. However, they are also used to justify the commercial investment needed for new mining operations.
Stages of Mineral Exploration
Prospecting for minerals starts with locating potential deposits using techniques such as satellite photography, aeromagnetic surveys, and analyzing historical data and geological maps. As minerals cluster in the same location, many prospective areas may occur near existing mining sites and previously identified mineralization sites.2
After identifying a potential mineral deposit, prospectors ensure that mining can progress in the area. Prospectors must research whether any previous claims have been placed on the land and whether the area is protected (for example, whether it is indigenous land or has environmental restrictions that would otherwise limit or prohibit mining operations).
Once the deposit has been identified and mining can proceed, the potential resources can be explored. This involves several stages: surface exploration, early-stage exploration, and core drilling.
Surface exploration identifies the “clues” that indicate the presence of minerals by mapping outcrops, showings, and indicator minerals. Early-stage exploration uses techniques such as electromagnetic and gravitational surveys, rock sampling, previous exploration data analysis, and surface mapping. This stage improves confidence in the project and identifies targets for drilling.
Core drilling is then conducted to prove the existence of mineral deposits and analyze them once prospectors and mine planners are sufficiently confident, and further drilling and resource modeling is carried out to provide more definitive resource estimates. Other tests and assessments include risk assessments, environmental assessments, and feasibility studies.2
Direct observation of mineralization is the most basic and longest-practiced prospecting technique. While it is still widely used, technological progress has provided the prospector with various geochemical and geophysical tools.
Aerial and satellite imagery are widely used in prospecting as they allow the quick examination of large areas of land to identify potential mineral deposits. Geophysical prospecting, sampling, and geochemical prospecting are well-established techniques. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI), drones, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies, and other emerging technologies have significantly augmented the prospector’s toolkit.1
Technologies in Mineral Exploration
Technology has profoundly transformed multiple industries over the last century, with new technologies emerging that make mineral prospecting and exploration more efficient and economically viable.
Advanced geophysical tools, such as airborne electromagnetic methods, have been employed in Canada, and time-domain electromagnetic methods have been utilized in Australia.
Remote sensing is used in geophysical surveys. Geochemical tools provide in-depth knowledge of complex spatial patterns in geochemical data. Remote sensing and AI-enabled satellite technologies are essential for remote, hard-to-explore areas.3
Drones with advanced sensors are increasingly used to survey and map prospective deposits, especially in hard-to-reach and dangerous locations. These unmanned survey platforms also improve worker safety and present cost savings for mining companies. Rotary-wing drones have emerged as particularly powerful technologies in prospecting and exploration.
AI, deep learning, machine learning, and neural networks are fast becoming key technologies in this area. These technologies are used to gather vast amounts of actionable data and rapidly and efficiently analyze these datasets and learn from them.
AI and associated technologies significantly augment the work of humans, providing benefits such as cost-efficiency, reduced human error, and analyzing vastly larger datasets that would otherwise be possible with conventional methods. They help to streamline repetitive workflows.3,4
Spectroscopic methods such as remote and proximal sensing are widely used in mineral prospecting and exploration. Global navigation satellite systems are also employed to provide highly accurate positioning and time-stamp data, significantly improving the mapping of prospective mineral sites.3
Furthermore, due to the current focus on sustainability in the mining industry, several sustainable exploration practices are being employed to improve the environmental friendliness of mineral exploration and prospecting.
Challenges and Limitations of Mineral Prospecting and Exploration
While technological advancements such as AI, machine learning, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), and advanced spectroscopic sensing methods have provided noteworthy benefits and mitigated the risks of mineral prospecting and exploration, several key challenges persist.
Firstly, certain mineral deposits are highly complex due to differences in spatial distribution and concentration, rock-rock interactions, tectonic settling, multistage formation, etc. This complicates the mineral exploration process.
Financial costs are also challenging considerations for mining prospectors and mine planners. Furthermore, environmental considerations may make mining difficult. Despite how economically viable a deposit may be, international agreements and ecological regulations must also be considered. In short, there are several uncertainties in mineral prospecting and exploration.
Future Trends in Mineral Prospecting and Exploration
Emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and drones are likely to continue to be a key trend in mineral prospecting and exploration in the future. Automation and autonomous tools such as robots will likely play an increasing role. These will provide benefits such as improved mineral discovery efficiency, productivity, cost-effectiveness, worker safety, and reduced labor costs.
Sustainability and environmental friendliness in the mining sector are key trends, and the employment of sustainable exploration methods and green technologies are likely to increase over the coming decades.
In Conclusion
Mineral prospecting and exploration are related processes essential for planning economically viable mines. Several technologies and methods are employed in these initial stages of mine development. While some highly complex challenges persist, emerging technologies are overcoming conventional limitations and proving revolutionary.
Finally, sustainability concerns and the growing awareness of resource depletion mean that prospecting and exploration must adhere to internationally agreed-upon climate and sustainability goals. The mineral exploration and prospecting sector must adapt to current trends and concerns to remain commercially viable over the coming decades.
References and Further Reading
- Mero, J.L et al. (2024) Prospecting and Exploration [online] Britannica.com. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/technology/mining/Prospecting-and-exploration (Accessed on 2 November 2024)
- Goss, B. (2022) 8 Steps of Mineral Exploration [online] Rangefront Mining Services. Available at: https://rangefront.com/blog/8-steps-mineral-exploration/ (Accessed on 2 November 2024)
- Okada, K. (2022) Breakthrough technologies for mineral exploration Mineral Economics 35 pp. 429-454 [Online] Springer Nature Link. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13563-022-00317-3 (Accessed on 2 November 2024)
- Yang, F. et al. (2024) Artificial intelligence for mineral exploration: A review and perspectives on future directions from data science. Earth-Science Reviews 258, 104941 [Online] Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0012825224002691 (Accessed on 2 November 2024)
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