TOWARDS BETTER

EXPLORATION AND MINING

A workshop for Mauricio Hochschild
Arcata Mine October 2005
Greg Corbett
This Workshop
Two way discussion I want questions !!!!!
Lectures focus upon exploration examples [mostly
MHC] and possibly some fieldwork [drill core]
I am NOT an academic so will avoid theory such as
isotopes and phase diagrams
Consider how to better do exploration focusing on:
How to collect high quality data ie facts
Interpretation of data ie conceptual geological
models which develop by testing
Controls to low sulphidation Au-Ag mineralisation
Good Exploration
Collect quality data which can access later
Building blocks for all continued work
(rubbish in - rubbish out)
Data must be separate to interpretation in
case interpretation changes with new
geological ideas
Make two sets of maps
Fact
Interpretation
What data do we collect
Host rocks
Alteration
Structure
Mineralogy of mineralisation and gangue
What else?
Process of good exploration
Collect data FACTS
Make interpretation
Compare to other deposits - Framework
Form Conceptual Geological Model
Proceed to test Geological Model by application
ie Where does the model take us?
Prioritise set of projects
Targets

Framework
Conceptual model for Au-Ag-Cu mineralisation

Process of good exploration
Collect data FACTS
Make interpretation
Compare to other deposits
Form Conceptual Geological Model
Proceed to test Geological Model by application
ie Where does the model take us?
Prioritise set of projects
Targets

Geological models in Exploration -
Prioritise Projects

Allows best chance of success with limited
resources people, money and time
Based upon use of a geological model for property
Different projects are at various stages of
exploration from reconnaissance to late
Some conceptually display substantial potential so
rated highly (A) BUT may be rapidly downgraded
(C) when that idea is tested
Some projects close to mines given higher priority
Quellopata targets

Management guide lines
MHC Au-Ag miner
Not looking for porphyry Cu
Preference for low sulphidation Au-Ag
veins
These deposits neglected by big companies
eg Chile
Aspects of good exploration
We will deal with
Geological setting of epithermal deposits
Focus upon controls to low sulphidation Au-Ag
Data collection eg vein types
Breccias
Alteration
High sulphidation Au-Ag-Cu
What else?
Controls to low sulphidation Ag-Au
mineralisation
Host rocks
Structure
Style of mineralisation
Mechanism of Au deposition
Dilution
Post-mineral effects