putting the “geo” back in front of - csa global...– led to 3 new discoveries & resource...

Putting the “GEO” back in front of GEOmetallurgy

A “Cradle to Grave” unifying link across the exploration and mining value chain

Warren Potma

Scott Halley, Andrew Scogings, Serik Urbisinov,

Carl Brauhart, Nikita Sergeev, Angela Escolme

Thanks, also, to Hot Chili Ltd.

22/02/2018 www.csaglobal.com

CSA Global is a leading mining, geological, technology and management consulting

company which provides high quality solutions to our clients in the global minerals

industry. Our staff include geologists, mining engineers, project managers, data

management professionals and technical personnel.

About CSA Global

www.csaglobal.com

Case for early implementation

W. Potma: RIU Explorers Conference 22/2/2018 www.csaglobal.com

Inputs

Inte

gra

ted

GE

Om

eta

llu

rgy

&

3D

Min

era

l S

yst

em

Mo

de

llin

g

4 Acid ICP-MS Geochemistry

Alt’n-Pathfinder-Litho-Geochem

Calculated Mineralogy

Mineralogy: Spectral, Petro & XRD

Appropriate Quantitative Mapping & DH logging data capture

Structure, MagSus, Density, pXRF, Acid Fiz, Hardness, quality photography...

High quality data management

Live (implicit) 3D models

Simplified fit-for-purpose 3D models Lithology – Mineralogy –

Payable/Deleterious Elements -Weathering – Rock Mass

Applications

Exploration

Greenfields – brownfields – mine - shoot

3D Modelling

Litho-structural – Alteration - Resources

Metallurgy

Quantitative 3D Mineralogy

Truly Representative Met. Composites

Mine Design

Rock Mass Classification – Geotech –Blasting - Scheduling

Process Design

Optimisation – Scheduling - Blending

Environmental

Acid Mine Drainage – Mine Closure

Ground Selection

Quantify strategic decisions

Impact

Cradle to Grave Unifying link across Mining Value Chain

Philosophy: to provide critical

knowledge EARLY in project

lifecycle for maximum value

Costs savings at every stage from

improved decision making

Early warning of fatal flaws and opportunities

Informed Observational Geology

Open-minded working hypotheses

Geophysics/Petrophysics

GEOmet Value Proposition

Can you afford NOT to do it? (from the earliest stage)

• 4A ICP-MS Geochem, Spectral, quantitative logging:

– Surface sampling & mapping stage: <10% of total project cost


Blind VMS example:

Value of low level

multi-element

pathfinder geochem.

If assays were

limited to Cu, Pb, Zn

this target would

have been missed.

(Halley 2016)VMS stringer zone. Cu is in chalcopyrite;

restricted to sparse veinlets.

Sb is in the lattice of the pyrite.

Maps the footprint of the stringer zone.

Projected position of

massive sulphide

VMS

horizon

Hangingwall

stratigraphy

Footwall

stratigraphy 1km

Outcropping

Porphyry Cu

Blind Porphyry Cu

Phyllic Alteration HaloPhyllic

Alteration

Halo




– Surface sampling & mapping stage: <10% of total project costs

– Exploration drilling stage: <2% of total project costs

www.csaglobal.com

(Halley 2016)

SWIR Spectral Mineralogy

1km

Outcropping

Porphyry Cu

deposit

Bismuth assays by ICP-MS, detection limit 0.01ppm

Blind Porphyry Cu deposits

300m below surface

Bi_ppm ICP-MS

0.01ppm Det. Limit

Bismuth assays by ICP-AES, detection limit 5ppm

Bi_ppm ICP-AES

5ppm Det. Limit





– Exploration drilling stage: <5% of cumulative project costs

– Resource Definition stage: <<0.5% of cumulative project costs

• Optimised drill design & sampling protocols - reduced costs

• Better 3D geological and mineralisation models – increased confidence

• Better discovery/Resource extension outcomes – more ore

• Improved MRe confidence & Resource classification outcomes

• GEOmet model available pre-Scoping Study – time saving

• Early warning of any fatal flaws (and opportunities)





Productora Chilean Coastal Range Cu-Mo-Au example:

• Integrated GEOmet approach delivered 3D mineral

system model which:

– identified problems with existing geological model

– changed exploration focus, and targeting rationale

– led to 3 new discoveries & Resource increases from ~100Mt to

~260Mt, 90 Mt maiden Reserve

– Ultimately led to maiden porphyry copper discovery (Alyce

PCD) 500m west of Productora breccia in 2014 & identification

of 7km long porphyry geochem trend

– Directly impacted PFS outcomes

East-dipping Habanero discovery


Habanero Discovery

Productora Central Pit Area

Section 6822215mN

Preliminary

Central Pit Design

+0.3% Cu mineralisation


OPEN

Early 2013

Alt’n model indicated there should be more Cu, and it looks like its East-dipping?!

72m@ 0.7% Cu,

36ppm Mo

East-dipping Habanero discovery


Habanero Discovery

Productora Central Pit Area

Section 6822215mN

Preliminary

Central Pit Design



100m@ 1.0% Cu,

0.3g/t Au, 108ppm Mo

181m@ 1.0% Cu, 0.3g/t Au, 173ppm Mo

(open to end of hole)

including:

71m@ 1.6% Cu, 0.4g/t Au, 229ppm Mo

OPEN

Oct 3 2013

181m @ 1.0% Cu, 0.2g/t Au, 173ppm Mo!

49m@ 1.0% Cu,

0.1g/t Au, 207ppm Mo

www.csaglobal.comwww.csaglobal.com

Potassic Tourmaline Breccia Cu-Au-Mo Ore:

• Majority of ROM ore

• Variable hardness, density & abrasiveness

• K-spar cement dominant - dense and hard

• Tourmaline breccia - soft, friable, abrasive

• Highly variable weathering – ox-trans-fresh?

• Strong localised structural/breccia controls (GC

complexity)

Metallurgist:

“I want a representative bulk sample….. please”

Feasibility Study Time…..

BOCO

TOFR

www.csaglobal.com

Habanero Ore Zone:

• Anomalously E-dipping (Mining)

• Very high Cu grade (Mill feed variability)

• Locally high pyrite content (AMD)

• Relatively soft (Low BWI)

• Sericite + Clays (Float sliming?)

• Clay-rich shears & foliation (Geotech)

GEOmet domain considerations

BOCO

TOFR

www.csaglobal.com

Advanced Argillic Domain:

• Silica-Clay (+/- sericite/pyrite)

• Dominantly waste – Pit high-wall

• Sharp E-dipping contact with HG ore (Mining)

• Deep weathering – highwall geotech

• Localised clay-rich shears/foliation (Geotech)

• Very hard silicification (Blasting/Drilling)

• Abundant cavities in oxide zone (Water!)

GEOmet domain considerations

BOCO

TOFR





– Exploration drilling stage: <5% of cumulative project costs

– Resource Definition stage: <<0.5% of cumulative project costs

– Feasibility Study stage:<<0.01% of cumulative project costs with

massive advantages:

• Reduced Risk: Infinitely more representative, accurate & precise

• Reduced Cost: well characterised remnant ½ core available for Met test

work

• Minimised risk of rework or surprises

• Reduced Time: All the GEOmet characterisation & modelling is complete

before Feasibility, thus well informed Met test work can commence

immediately


GEOmet of a complex skarn

Client Requirements:

Deliver the “least complex 3D geometallurgical domain model possible” for a complex Sn-fluorite-Cu-W Skarn deposit that:

• is representative of the critical domains affecting processing, including:

lithological, alteration and ore mineralogy; oxidation and weathering-

related mineralogy; hardness; abrasiveness; grainsize and textural

characteristics

• has quantitative constraints sufficient to underpin confidence in an

“Indicated” classification for the fluorite MRe• adequately informs metallurgical sampling strategy

• A reliable, quantitative, 3D GEOmet model is “required to underpin

confidence in the Feasibility Study for this perceived marginal Resource”


GEOmet Protolith vs Logging


Calcareous-

Sediments

Mg Dolomitic-

Sediments

Granite

Mafic

Dykes

ORIG-TIRR

WCR-RUBB

WCR-CLY

SANCLY

LOAM

GRN

WCR_GRN

MTS_GL_3_1

MTS_AND

MTS_MG

Simplified Protolith

Model: based on

quantitative

lithogeochemistry

focused on mineralogy

that might impact

processing

Clients Geological Model:

based on detailed logging

NW SE

150m

150m

www.csaglobal.com

Gangue Mineralogy Classification (alteration mineralogy)

Point Density

K-spar or Biotite

Muscovite

Kaolinite

Least Altered Granite

Least Altered Sediments

& Mafics/Andesites

16W. Potma: RIU Explorers Conference 22/2/2018

www.csaglobal.com

Relationship between Gangue Mineralogy & Sn grade

Sn%

Mineralogy_SH

• Highest-grade Sn mineralisation is

spatially correlated with Quartz-

Topaz-Kspar (and/or Biotite)- Mt

Skarn +/- Muscovite

• Lower grades occur with Sericite-

Chlorite-Magnetite Skarn

• Gangue Mineralogy requires

further simplification for GEOmet17W. Potma: RIU Explorers Conference 22/2/2018

www.csaglobal.com

Simplified 3D GEOmet Domain Classification

The simplified GEOmet Domain

Classification is based on gangue

mineralogy characterisation (using ICP-

MS, XRD, SWIR, petrography and logging

data), and is simplified to focus on

critical attributes that potentially impact

processing and mining.

18

www.csaglobal.com

Simplified 3D GEOmet Domain Model

GEOmet

Domains

Note the steeply plunging shoot geometry

of the Qtz-Topaz Domain (right)

Enveloped by the magnetite-rich Fe-Skarn

Domain which also dominates the north-

eastern end of the pit (below)

The remaining volume comprises Calc-

Silicate Domain rocks (not represented)

19

www.csaglobal.com

Client’s detailed Geol. Model vs CSA GEOmet Domains

Calc-Silicates

Granite

ORIG-TIRR

WCR-RUBB

WCR-CLY

SANCLY

LOAM

GRN

WCR_GRN

MTS_GL_3_1

MTS_AND

MTS_MG

Qtz-Topaz

Fe-Skarn

Simplified GEOmet Domains

that impact processing & mining:

based on quantitative gangue

mineralogy

NW SE

150m

150m


Client’s Geological Model:based on detailed logging

www.csaglobal.com

Client’s Geol. Model vs Quantitative Weathering Domains

Transitional-Oxide Domain

Sulphide Domain

ORIG-TIRR

WCR-RUBB

WCR-CLY

SANCLY

LOAM

GRN

WCR_GRN

MTS_GL_3_1

MTS_AND

MTS_MG

Quantitative Weathering Domain Model

Clients Geological Model

Intense Supergene Clay Domain

NW SE

150m

150m


www.csaglobal.com

Estimating Fluorite Grade using Ca:F ratios (fluorite stoichiometry)

Fluorite constitutes ~20% of Resource value, but there is a problem…


Fluorite (CaF2) = 51.3wt% Ca, 48.7wt% F

Any point above the black line

exceeds the maximum possible

fluorite content based on Ca

content

Fluorite + Carbonate/Amphiboles

Clie

nt’s

estim

ated

flu

ori

te p

ct(a

ll F

in

flu

ori

te)

Calc. max fluorite pct from fusion XRF F & Ca values

Flu

ori

tep

ctfr

om

sem

i-q

ua

nti

tati

veX

RD

Calc. max fluorite pct from fusion XRF F & Ca values

www.csaglobal.com

Relative abundance of (Acid Insoluble) Cassiterite vs Stannite (Acid Soluble)

Cassiterite (blue) dominates the

proximal high grade ore zones.

Relative abundance of Stannite:Cassiterite

increases away from the main ore, usually

coincident with very low Sn grades.23

GEOmet Impact

Characterise more, characterise earlier & test less

• High value exploration outcomes

• Saves time & money throughout the project life cycle

• Improves spatial representivity & confidence in models

• Provides early warning of threats and opportunities

• Reduces risk, minimises errors & rework

• Skarn GEOmet work positively impacted fluorite MRe, Met test work

programmes, plant design, pit optimisation and scheduling

• and “demonstrated that most of the preliminary metallurgical test work (predating the GEOmet project) was essentially wasted” (Client’s independent consultant metallurgist)


www.csaglobal.com

Cassiterite (blue) dominates the

proximal high grade ore zones.

Relative abundance of Stannite:Cassiterite

increases away from the main ore, usually

coincident with very low Sn grades.25

Inputs

Inte

gra

ted

GE

Om

eta

llu

rgy

&

3D

Min

era

l S

yst

em

Mo

de

llin

g

4 Acid ICP-MS Geochemistry

Alt’n-Pathfinder-Litho-Geochem

Calculated Mineralogy

Mineralogy: Spectral, Petro & XRD

Appropriate Quantitative Mapping & DH logging data capture

Structure, MagSus, Density, pXRF, Acid Fiz, Hardness, quality photography...

High quality data management

Live (implicit) 3D models

Simplified fit-for-purpose 3D models Lithology – Mineralogy –

Payable/Deleterious Elements -Weathering – Rock Mass

Applications

Exploration

Greenfields – brownfields – mine - shoot

3D Modelling

Litho-structural – Alteration - Resources

Metallurgy

Quantitative 3D Mineralogy

Truly Representative Met. Composites

Mine Design

Rock Mass Classification – Geotech –Blasting - Scheduling

Process Design

Optimisation – Scheduling - Blending

Environmental

Acid Mine Drainage – Mine Closure

Ground Selection

Quantify strategic decisions

Impact

Cradle to Grave Unifying link across Mining Value Chain

Philosophy: to provide critical

knowledge EARLY in project

lifecycle for maximum value

Costs savings at every stage from

improved decision making

Early warning of fatal flaws and opportunities

Informed Observational Geology

Open-minded working hypotheses

Geophysics/Petrophysics

Integration – Communication - Collaboration

W. Potma: RIU Explorers Conference 22/2/2018

For more information

please contact:

Follow Us On:


[email protected]

Putting the “GEO” back in front of GEOmetallurgy:

Can you afford NOT to do it?

CSA Global GEOmet Team:

Warren Potma Scott Halley

Andrew Scogings Serik Urbisinov

Carl Brauhart Nikita Sergeev

Travis Murphy Fede Cernuschi

Jamie Robinson

+ many additional specific commodity experts

https://www.facebook.com/CSA-Global-150999914987957/timeline

https://twitter.com/CSAGlobal

https://www.linkedin.com/company/csa-global?trk=biz-companies-cym

putting the “geo” back in front of - csa global...– led to 3 new discoveries & resource...

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