Mineral resource appraisal and mineral deposits computer files in the Geological Survey of Canada

The Geological Survey of Canada (G.S.C.) has been involved in national appraisal of resources of certain commodities for nearly two decades beginning with a national study of iron deposits in 1955. In 1972, the first national appraisal to rapidly estimate total resources of Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Fe, Mo, and U in Canada was carried out largely by economic geologists. This exercise produced, among other things, a better definition of G.S. C. needs for building computer files in support of mineral deposits studies and mineral resource appraisal. Objectives of this paper are threefold: (1) to outline general methodology for the kind of mineral resource appraisal carried out by the G.S.C. in 1972; (2) to identify types of information required in that appraisal; and (3) to indicate types of information on mineral deposits for which it seems advantageous for the G.S.C. to construct computer files, and how these files relate to mineral resource appraisal. Methodology is fairly straightforward for appraisal of reserves (known, measured resources), but is much more problematic for appraisal of undiscovered resources. For the latter, G.S.C. economic geologists make use of two basic concepts: the deposit model, which is a generalized deposit type, distinguished by its geological attributes and host rock environment, and containing characteristic amounts of specified commodities; and the metallogenic region, which is a geographic area of more or less homogeneous geology deemed favorable for the presence of a particular deposit model. Background information required for appraisal of undiscovered resources includes the following: (a) data on distribution and geology of Canadian deposits and occurrences; (6) data on geology of important, foreign deposits; (c) knowledge of Canadian geology, commensurate with metallogenic requirements; (d) knowledge of current theories of ore-forming processes; and (e) appreciation of the amount, location, and effectiveness of past exploration in Canada. At present, only identity, location, and certain simple geological features of Canadian deposits are considered practical for a general computer file of mineral deposits. The fundamental activity of the G.S.C. in the sphere of mineral deposits is a number of broad studies on the geology of certain commodities in Canada carried out by economic geologists. Appraisal of mineral resources is based directly on the results of those studies, and is done by the same economic geologists. Construction of G.S.C. computer files is in response to needs defined by economic geologists, mainly in the context of their broad studies.This paper was presented at the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) Project 98 entitled Standards for Computer Applications in Resource Studies held at Loen, Norway, September 27–October 1, 1976.     

Design of geological data systems for developing nations

For analytical, inventory, and a variety of other basic types of geological data the main functions of an information management system can adequately be accommodated by simple systems in which comprehensiveness is compromised in favor of practicality and ease of implementation. Albeit possessing some shortcomings, such a strategy is likely to prove profitable particularly to geologists in developing nations who are confronted with the task of self-developing much needed geological data systems in the face of limited electronic data processing resources. Based on the experience of the Geological Survey of Israel, several considerations and practical guidelines for the design and implementation of such systems can be outlined. Data bases should be limited in their scope to specific subjects or projects, be designed to serve existing and only the more realistic foreseeable needs, and include provisions for merger and intelligent communication with related files. Such data bases typically contain logically simple-structured information and are small in size. Revision, deletion, and update transactions are infrequent; the search criteria for retrieval are for the most part predictable and a fast response time is not essential. These attributes prescribe a preference for simple fixed- or semi-free-format sequential files which, in turn, simplify appreciably the programming of the supporting software. Input forms should be meticulously planned with due consideration given to aspects of software compatibility, user convenience and acceptance, and efficiency in data gathering. The use of standard forms should be integrated into the institution's routine to facilitate direct data entry by each contributor, thereby improving and economizing the data collection process, and to secure data capture at its acquisition level (field, laboratory). The user's more immediate retrieval needs are adequately satisfied by a master list, documenting the entire data base and a number of external inverted index directories cross-referencing the master list according to the attributes by which the file is most likely to be searched. Further development of output capabilities should be directed to provide for flexible retrieval by multikey query functions and base map posting. For data files storing raw chemical analyses of rocks and water samples, the incorporation of processing capabilities to compute interpretative geochemical parameters as an integral part of the system's output is particularly useful. Paper presented at the 25th International Geological Congress, Section 16A, Sydney, Australia, August 1976.     

Requirements of the data to be used for resource appraisal

General principles in evaluation and selection of data to be included in computer processible files intended for use in assisting regional resources appraisal are discussed against the background of activities related to file assembly at the Geological Survey of Canada. Some of the principles discussed are currently being implemented in the assembly of files at the GSC where they apply to the specific data being collected. Others are apparent from our analysis and would be applied if different data were being collected. The files currently being assembled at the Survey are intended to assist the commodity geologists in all project-related activities, one of which is regional resource appraisal. Prior to the commencement of data assembly, each data item considered for inclusion in the data files was scrutinized by members of the Economic Geology Subdivision in order to establish how it would contribute to the overall objectives of the file. At the same time strict definitions of each item were established. The main criteria applied to each data item considered for inclusion in the files were (a) the necessity of the item to satisfy the objectives of the file within the practical limitations of the resources available and (b) the general availability of the item. The characteristics found necessary to ensure integrity of the data files were (a) uniformity—the same definitions must apply to each item of similar type, (b) consistency—analytical results should be of the same method or differences noted in order that the data may be compared, and (c) mutual exclusiveness—especially when dealing with data referring to size. Such data should never be repeated in another part of the file or be included as part of another item.This paper was presented at the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) Project 98 entitled Standards for Computer Applications in Resource Studies held at Loen, Norway, September 27–October 1, 1976.     

美国矿床环境研究动态及建议

通过收集美国地质调查局近几年公开出版物及其网站上发布的资料,总结了美国在环境矿床学研究方面的最新成果,内容涉及32种矿床的地质—环境模型、矿床的环境地球化学背景或基准值、流域性矿床—环境综合研究和特殊矿床的环境效应等方面。结合美国的研究成果和我国国情,建议我国地质调查局现阶段在该领域研究首先集中在矿床的地质—环境模型和用于战略性资源评价中的矿床环境评价指标等战略性研究上。     

The American Geological Institute （AGI）

The American Geological Institute (AGI) is a federation of 42 professional geoscience organizations representing more than 100,000 geologists, geophysicists, and other Earth scientists. In addition, 12 regional societies are Geoscience Associates, 150 colleges and universities are Academic Associates, and 45 companies are Corporate Associates. Geoscience societies and organizations outside of the United States are invited to affiliate with AGI to become part of a growing international community of Earth scientists working in concert to strengthen the global geoscience community.     

A computer-based system for processing geophysical data obtained from boreholes

A diverse set of computer programs has been developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)to process geophysical data obtained from boreholes. These programs support such services as digitizing analog records, reading and processing raw data, cataloging and storing processed data, retrieving selected data for analysis, and generating data plots on several different devices. A variety of geophysical data types are accommodated, including both wireline logs and laboratory analyses of downhole samples. Many processing tasks are handled by means of a single, flexible, general-purpose, data-manipulation program. Separate programs are available for processing data from density, gravity, velocity, and epithermal neutron logs. The computer-based storage and retrieval system, which has been in operation since 1973, currently contains over 4400 data files. Most of this data was obtained from the Nevada Test Site (NTS)in conjunction with the nuclear test program. Each data file contains a single geophysical parameter as a function of depth. Automatic storage and retrieval are facilitated by the assignment of unique file names that define the storage location of each data file. Files of interest to the user may be located and retrieved by means of a search program that examines the catalog. A convention recognized by all programs in the system is that of a zero ordinate denoting a gap in an otherwise continuous data trace. This convention provides a simple mechanism for editing and displaying data files in an automated and consistent manner.     

GEOSCIENCE DATA IN THE INFORMATION AGE: ACQUISITION,DISSEMINATION AND THEIR APPLICATIONS

Recent dramatic advances in technologies such as computer,data management,and communication have revolutionized the way geologists collect,disseminate,and utilize geoscience data.After summarized the characteristics and fusion of geo-data,several major field data capture systems adopted in North America have been introduced.Geoscience information dissemination and distribution via the web technology and GIS package have also been discussed.In addition,multisources geo-data integration and their applications to mineral exploration,geological hazard risk assessment,and national land resources protection and utilization have been addressed by concrete examples.     

Establishing a national ore data file in Finland

Summary The Finnish Ore Data File has already provided valuable experience on building, maintaining, and using an extensive data file with a great diversity of data. The file attempts to accommodate all relevant data on ore deposits in metamorphosed and strongly deformed Precambrian terrain. Because the deposits dealt with are generally well-studied and documented, they provide a great deal of precise information on ore deposits. The question arises as to how the system could be used internationally, especially bearing in mind developing countries. The two problems which should be solved for this purpose are: first, the forms, codes, and programs should be translated from Finnish into English; second, the structure of the file should be simplified to meet the demands of less studied areas and deposits. However, both problems could be resolved relatively easily without changing the basic principles involved.This paper was presented at the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) Project 98 entitled Standards for Computer Applications in Resource Studies held at Loen, Norway, September 27–October 1, 1976.     

Recognition of the regional lineaments of Iran: Using geospatial data and their implications for exploration of metallic ore deposits

The relationship between major structural lineaments and locations of ore deposits in Iran has been investigated using geospatial data. In the course of lineament extraction, satellite images, aeromagnetic data, digital elevation model (DEM) and structural maps were processed and the lineaments and large-scale faults were identified. The extracted lineaments, based on subjective assessment, from each dataset were imported into GIS software and the “lineament map of Iran” was prepared by data integration. The analysis for selecting significant lineament was mainly based on fault correlated lineament and lineament with field map fractures, which was sets as benchmarks for compiling a final output map. Four major regional lineament trends of N–S, E–W, NW–SE and NE–SW were identified in the data of all images, which are corresponded to the structural zones and the major fault systems of Iran. The mineral deposits (active and abandoned) and mineral indications database compiled are based on the published maps, papers, reports and the ore deposits data files of Geological Survey of Iran. Integrating the output of these two datasets by GIS software resulted in the “Combined Map of Lineaments and Gold, Copper, Lead, Zinc and Iron Deposits of Iran”. The number and distance of ore deposits toward the lineaments were processed by the counting and cumulative methods in the GIS software's. Approximately, over 90% of the ore deposits of Iran are located in the central part of the lineaments (15 km on each side) which are concordant with a definition of large lineament. About 50% of these mineral deposits are closer than 5 km to the lineaments. There are significant correlations between lineament density and intersections with ore deposits occurrences. The observed associations at this scale are informative in establishing exploration strategy and decreasing exploration risks for detailed work on ore deposit scale.     

Prospector II: Towards a knowledge base for mineral deposits

What began in the mid-seventies as a research effort in designing an expert system to aid geologists in exploring for hidden mineral deposits has in the late eighties become a full-sized knowledge-based system to aid geologists in conducting regional mineral resource assessments. Prospector II, the successor to Prospector, is interactive-graphics oriented, flexible in its representation of mineral deposit models, and suited to regional mineral resource assessment. In Prospector II, the geologist enters the findings for an area, selects the deposit models or examples of mineral deposits for consideration, and the program compares the findings with the models or the examples selected, noting the similarities, differences, and missing information. The models or the examples selected are ranked according to scores that are based on the comparisons with the findings. Findings can be reassessed and the process repeated if necessary. The results provide the geologist with a rationale for identifying those mineral deposit types that the geology of an area permits. In future, Prospector II can assist in the creation of new models used in regional mineral resource assessment and in striving toward an ultimate classification of mineral deposits.     

Re—Os Isotope Ages of Molybdenum Deposits in East Qinling and Their Significance

Dating of metallic ore deposits has been one of the problems concerned with by ore geologists for many years.The establishment of the Re-Os Isotope Laboratory at the Institute of Rock and Mineral Analysis,Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, has provided us with a new technique to carry out geochronological studies of molybdenum ores.As one of the most important Re-bearing minerals, molybdenite contains almost no common osmium, but ^187Os was derived completely from decay of ^187Re, with ^187Os content as the function of Re content in the mineral .An ID-ICP-MS technique has been used in this study,and Re-Os isotopic ages of several large molybdenum deposits of differ-ent types from the East Qinling molybdenum belt have been determined.It is indicated that the Huanglongpu carbonatite vein-type molybdenum-(lead) deposit has a Re-Os age corresponding to Indosinian,while the rest porphyry-type molybdenum deposits and porphyry-skarn-type molybdenum-(tungsten) deposits have Re-Os ages corresponding to Yenshanian.     

数字地质调查系统在赛什塘铜矿区的应用

由中国地质调查局下属的发展研究中心开发的数字地质调查系统主要应用于固体矿山,其目的旨在帮助地质人员实现从矿产资源野外调查到地质成图、矿体圈定、矿床建模、储量估算、报告生成全过程的数字化。本文应用该系统的矿产资源调查野外数据采集子系统,成功实现了对赛什塘铜矿区数十年地质资料（包括槽探、坑探、钻探）的方便快捷的管理,通过固体矿产勘查储量估算子系统实现对矿区部分矿体的三维显示、储量估算和储量报告的生成。     

The importance of mineral and energy inventories

Based on the results of the Conference on Resource Assessment Techniques of IGCP Project 98 in Loen, Norway, 1976, the importance of mineral and energy inventories is demonstrated by their long-term objectives which aim at the solution of problems of quantitative and qualitative mineral and energy reserve and resource assessments, estimates of the exploration potential, supply analysis, future land-use planning, and national mineral policy. Prior to establishing a mineral and energy inventory it is essential to clearly define both the long-term and short-term objectives, because they control the scope of an inventory and determine the approach to and the method of constructing the data base. Only then can questions be answered as to the kind of data required, the advantages of regional-versus commodity-based inventories, the necessity of computer-processable data files, the availability of a user-oriented data base management system, and the usefulness of conducting a pilot project. Examples are given for simple and complex types of mineral and energy inventories. The “Mineral Deposit Inventory” of the Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Hannover, Federal Republic of Germany, serves mainly as an information and reference system, whereas the mineral inventory of “Project Manitoba” of the Geological Survey of Canada forms the base for reserve and resource assessment as well as land-use planning of that province. For developing and industrialized countries alike, mineral and energy inventories are appropriate tools in planning new exploration activities and decisions on future national mineral policy. Used by the Regional Mineral Resources Development Centers of ESCAP and ECA, the United Nations economic commissions in Asia and Africa, these tools could be of great advantage and mutual benefit to the developing countries of those regions. This paper was presented at the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) Project 98: “Standards for Computer Applications in Resource Studies” held at Taita Hills, Kenya, November 8–15, 1977.     

Tectonic terranes, metallogeny and regional geochemical surveys: an example from northern British Columbia

This study utilizes three major data sources: distribution of geological units; density, type, age and distribution of mineral deposits; and elemental analyses from regional geochemical stream sediment surveys to define parameters that ‘characterize’ tectonic terranes in northern British Columbia. A similar approach could be applied anywhere in the Canadian Cordillera.This area, NTS map sheets 104N, 104O and 104P along the British Columbia-Yukon border, forms a transect through allochthonous terranes into North American rocks. These are: the allochthonous island-arc Stikine, oceanic Cache Creek, cataclastic Yukon/Tanana, and island-arc Quensel terranes, the pericratonic Dorsey terrane; the parautochthonous oceanic Sylvester allochthon; and the autochthonous miogeoclinal North American Cassiar terrane. Plutonic rocks of Jurassic-Cretaceous to Tertiary age intrude all terranes.Data sources used in the study are geological base maps and reports, the Ministry of Energy Mines and Petroleum Resources' mineral deposit database (MINFILE) and analytical data from the National Regional Geochemical Survey stream sediment and water sampling program.Geological maps were compiled from various sources and plotted to act as bases for geochemical and mineral deposit overlays for analysis and interpretation.Geochemical samples were separated into background and anomalous populations and compared according to their source terranes. We found that mean concentrations from background sample populations for some elements are statistically distinctive for different terranes. Unfortunately, elemental correlation coefficients for the terranes are similar so cannot be used to characterize each terrane.Data on mineral deposits and occurrences were compiled from minfile and other sources. Particular attention was paid to deposits with histories of production or significant reported reserves. Deposits were sorted by type and commodity to produce synoptic metallogenic maps.The combined data from geological, geochemical and mineral deposit databases form a strong tool for interpreting and predicting patterns of mineralization.     

A geoscience data evaluation and information system

The exploration of mineral, energy, and water resources requires increasingly access to and usage of relevant up-to-date scientific technical, and economic information on relevant literature and factual data. At present, an Information Center on Mineral Resources and Geosciences is being established in the Federal Republic of Germany. The geoscience information center is responsible for the coordination of acquisition, storage, and dissemination of data on mineral and energy resources, water resources, and economic geology to inform public administration, relevant industry, research institutions, and universities by means of access to a variety of data bases. In the final stage, the information will be accessible on-line through a computer center at Karlsruhe (INKA).Available for the user are national data bases, comprising literature, and factual data on geoscience, mining, deposits, hydrogeology, ocean research, and marine technology, hydrology, oceanography, geodesy, and meteorology, as well as access to international literature and factual data bases. The relational retrieval system GRIPS-DIRS is in use for handling literature data bases at Karlsruhe (INKA),and the hierarchical storage and retrieval system ADABAS for handling factual data bases. The establishment of data-about-data-systems and the dissemination of publicly available evluated data in form of graphical displays of maps is envisaged. The geoscience information center cooperates intensely with similar centers of other disciplines in the Federal Republic of Germany.     

新疆准噶尔盆地东缘五彩湾地区煤田钻孔数据集

新疆准噶尔盆地是中国油气、煤炭等能源矿产的重要储集场所。本次研究对搜集到的准噶尔盆地东缘五彩湾地区20个煤田钻孔资料进行二次开发利用,通过提取钻孔坐标、高程、地层分层厚度、颜色、测井曲线解译数据等重要信息,重新建立了钻孔数据集。数据集共包含20个钻孔资料的Excel数据库型数据,每个Excel数据库由“钻孔基本信息”、“测井解释岩性分层”、“地质编录柱状分层”、“综合柱状信息”、“钻孔岩性分层”、“地层名称及代号表”、“地层颜色”、“测井曲线配置”、“测井曲线数据”、“数据字典”等10个工作表组成。利用石文软件可读取数据集信息,绘制地层沉积三维立体图,该成果能够对准噶尔盆地东缘五彩湾地区砂体的空间展布、三维地质结构等提供更加直观的认识,对研究准噶尔盆地东缘五彩湾地区的沉积环境具有重要意义。     

全球地质数据出版模式探索与研究

科学数据是科技创新的基础,也是人类宝贵的科技信息资源。兼顾保护数据知识产权和推动数据广泛共享是科学数据界长期存在的难题。数据出版（元数据、实体数据、数据论文关联出版）是解决这个难题的有效机制。“全球地质数据出版系统”（中英文）将实现元数据、实体数据、数据论文关联一体出版,通过互联网实现科学传播和公益性共享机制,在保护数据知识产权和促进数据共享方面起着重要作用。该系统将推动全世界地质学家共享科学数据,为地质领域科技创新提供数据基础。本文基于数据出版的概念,全面介绍了全球地质数据出版,并探讨其数据共享的意义价值。     

SOVETSKAYA GEOLOGIYA (SOVIET GEOLOGY) IN COVER-TO-COVER TRANSLATION, 1963, NO. 1.

Prognostic estimates of iron ore reserves are discussed on the basis of experience and published theoretical premises. A geologic classification of ore deposits is offered as a basis for prognostication. (Note: The Geological Classification of Iron-Ore Deposits (table 2) may be of interest to American economic geologists.).—C.E. Sears     

Applying regional airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveying to understand the architecture of sandstone-hosted uranium mineral systems in the Callabonna Sub-basin,Lake Frome region,South Australia

The Frome airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey was designed to provide reliable pre-competitive AEM data to aid the search for energy and mineral resources around the Lake Frome region of South Australia. Flown in 2010, a total of 32,317 line kilometres of high-quality airborne geophysical data was collected over an area of 95,450 km² at a flight line spacing mostly of 2.5 km, opening to 5 km spaced lines in the Marree–Strzelecki Desert area to the north. The Lake Frome region hosts a large number of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits with known resources of ～60 000 tonnes of U₃O₈ including the working In Situ Recovery operations at Beverley, Pepegoona, Pannikin and Honeymoon, and deposits at Four Mile East, Four Mile West, Yagdlin, Goulds Dam, Oban, East Kalkaroo, Yarramba and Junction Dam. The aims of the Frome AEM Survey were to map and interpret critical elements of sandstone-hosted uranium mineral systems including basin architecture, paleovalley morphology, sedimentary facies changes, hydrological connections between uranium sources and uranium deposition sites and structures. Interpretations of the data show the utility of regional AEM surveying for mapping crucial elements of sandstone-hosted uranium mineral systems as well as for mapping geological surfaces, structures and depth of cover over a wide area. Data from the Frome AEM Survey allow mineral explorers to put their own high-resolution AEM surveys into a regional context. Survey data were used to map and interpret a range of geological features that are associated with, or control the location of, sandstone-hosted uranium mineral systems and have been used to assess the uranium prospectivity of new areas to the north of the Flinders Ranges.