Prospecting

Rini Novrianti Sutardjo Tui, ST, MBA, MT

Stages in A Life of A Mine

Pros
pecting

Explo
ration

The search for metallic ore or other valuable

minerals (coal or nonmetallics). 1 3 years

The determination the size and value of a mineral deposit, as accurately

as possible, utilizing techniques similar to but more refined than those
used in prospecting. 2 5 years
The work of opening a mineral deposit, is gained by 1) stripping
overburden; or 2) excavating openings from surface. 2 5 years

Develop
ment

Explo
itation

The actual discovery of mineral from the earth in

quantity, with emphasis on production. 10 30 years.

Precursors to Mining
Stage 1
Prospecting

Stage 2
Exploration

Regional
appraisal

Detailed
reconnaissance of
favorable areas

Detailed surface
appraisal of
target area

Detailed threedimensional sampling

and preliminary
evaluation

Regions not
attractive at this
time

Area remains favorable

but not attractive at
this time

Target areas not

attractive at this
time

Uneconomic
mineral
deposit

Reject Regions
unfavorable

Reconnaissance
(Strategic Phase)

Economic
mineral deposit

Favorable
Untimely

Reject Not a
mineral deposit

Target Investigation
(Tactical Phase)

Unfavorable

Prospecting: General

What

The search for metallic ore deposits or

commercial mineral deposits of coal and
nonmetals. Its goal is the location of an
anomaly.

How

Commodity-specific or site-specific.

Which

All minerals, spanning metals, nonmetals,

and fuels.

Prospecting Procedures
Search
report and
literature

Conduct
preliminary
ground
surveys

Study
available
maps

Prospecting

Establish,
set up, and
organize

Prepare photogeologic map

Conduct
airborne
geophysical
survey

Prospecting: Geologic

What

Applies knowledge of the genesis and occurrence

of mineral deposits, structural mapping, and
mineralogic and petrographic analyses to
discover, define, and appraise mineral prospects.

How

Derives the target concepts, collects geologic

data, interprets of geologic data collected,
integrates all other data, and forms the
judgments to search and evaluation.

Which

It assumes a magmatic origin of minerals.

It includes all minerals (metals, nonmetals,
fuels).

Prospecting: Geophysical

What

Detects from a distance, changes in

geologic conditions, by using highly
sensitive instruments.

How

The most cost-effective scheme is to package

several methods for airborne surveys and then
to repeat the process with other methods
suited to a surface or subsurface locale.

Which

Mostly in petroleum and natural gas. Its

use in mining is for deep-lying, hidden ore
bodies.

Prospecting: Geophysical Methods

Groundwater can act on a massive sulfide ore body to produce a weak electric charge.
Usually is used in the search for magnetite, cobalt minerals, graphite, and anthracite

VLF
signal
is
represented
by the
primary waves. Certain
geologic structures will
produce
secondary
waves.
The target sought is a
sulfide
ore
body,
graphite, or associated
pyrite or pyrrhotite.

Electrical:
Self-potential
Electro
magnetic

Gravity

Electrical:
Induced Polar.

A
gravimeter
detects
change in gravity. A dense
area of mineralization will
distort
and
increase
gravitational pull.
It is used to detect and
identify faults, anticlines,
salt domes, intrusions,
and buried channels.

A field of electricity can be created in the ground by passing a measured amount of

electric current through it using two electrodes and a generator.
Used mainly with sulfides and oxides ore bodies, water, sand, gravel, and petroleum.

Prospecting: Geochemical

What

An indirect method, is carried out on the

ground. Useful for primary reconnaissance
of very large areas of remote terrain.

How

Detects geochemical anomalies through

systematic collection and precise trace
analysis of appropriate samples. Sample
analysis must be done micro-quantitatively.

Which

Target ore minerals are mainly the

sulfides of copper, lead, zinc, nickel, and
molybdenum.

Prospecting: Other Tools

Geobotanical Prospecting
employs changes in the patterns of vegetation growth and
foliage of an area as a visual or analytical guide to
mineralization.

Geothermal Prospecting
sometimes is classified as a geophysical method, measuring
thermal gradient within the earth and detecting geothermal
anomaly.

Introductory Mining Engineering