Gold Deposit

GOLD PYRAMID GROUP

Mining And Petroleum
Exploration
Key decision (phases)
Rate of expenditure
Time
Mineral Exploration Cycle (MEC) Curve
EXPENDITURE LOGARITHMIC SCALE

Mining Operation Cycle (MOC)

Feasibility
Phase 1 (Conceptual Model)
Study
Phase 2 (Predictive Model)
Phase 3 (Resource Assessment)
Phase 4 (Feasibility Reporting)
Mine
production
Prefeasibility initiation
Study

HIGH RISK

Target
Generation
Area DECREASING
Selection RISK
STAGES

Conceptual Detailed Reconn- Target Exploration Assessment Mine Decommiss-

aissance Mining ioning and
planning planning appraisal drilling drilling develop.
exploration rehabilitation
Literature Literature Remote Geochem, Pilot Test mining Production Mine Planning & Environmental
Designing
ACTIVITY

review review sensing, ground metallurgical and shaft, issues

field visit regional geophysics, studies metallurgical decline or Mineral Processing Mine
geochem, mapping, studies overburden Infrastructures Closure
airborne surveying removal
geophysics

Stages of an exploration project. (Modifted from Eimon 1988.)

By Kareem M. Amen