Geological Methods in Mineral Exploration and Mining

This book is written as a practical field manual to effective. Each geolOgist has to develop his/her be used by geologists engaged in mineral explo­ own techniques and will ultimately be judged on ration. It is also hoped that it will serve as a text results, not the process by which these results and reference for students in Applied Geology were reached. In mineral exploration, the only courses of universities and colleges. The book 'right' way of doing anything is the way that aims to outline some of the practical skills that locates ore in the quickest and most cost-effective turn the graduate geologist into an explo­ manner. It is preferable, however, for an individ­ rationist:. It is intended as a practical 'how to' ual to develop his/her own method of operation book, rather than as a text on geological or ore after having tried, and become aware of, those deposit theory. procedures which experience has shown to work An explorationist is a professional who search­ well and which are generally accepted in indus­ try as good exploration practice. es for ore bodies in a scientific and structured way. Although an awkward and artificial term, The chapters of the book approximately fol­ this is the only available word to describe the low the steps which a typical exploration pro­ totality of the skills which are needed to locate gramme would go through. In Chapter 1, the and define economic mineralization.

Table of Contents:
1 Prospecting and the Exploration Process.- 1.1 Definition of Terms.- 1.2 Generating new Projects and Prospects.- 1.3 Some Ways of Generating new Exploration Ideas.- 1.4 A Check-List of Negative Assumptions.- 1.5 Stages in Prospect Exploration.- 1.6 Maximizing Success in Exploration Programmes.- 1.7 Different Types of Exploration Strategy.- 2 Geological Mapping in Exploration.- 2.1 General Considerations.- 2.2 Air Photo Mapping.- 2.3 Mapping With a Plane Table.- 2.4 Mapping on a Pegged Grid.- 2.5 Mapping with Tape and Compass.- 3 Mine Mapping.- 3.1 General.- 3.2 Mapping In Open Cuts.- 3.3 Mapping Underground Openings.- 4 Mineral Exploration Drilling.- 4.1 General.- 4.2 Diamond Drilling.- 4.3 Reverse Circulation (Rc) Drilling.- 4.4 Rotary air Blast (Rab) Drilling.- 4.5 Auger Drilling.- 5 Pitting, Trenching and Stripping.- 5.1 Preamble.- 5.2 Safety and Logistics.- 5.3 Geological Mapping.- 5.4 Geochemical Sampling.- 6 Geophysical and Geochemical Methods.- 6.1 General.- 6.2 A Brief Overview of Techniques.- 7 Geographical Information Systems.- 7.1 Definition.- 72 The Need for Gis.- 7.3 Gis Storage of Map Data.- 7.4 Manipulation of Gis Data.- 7.5 Presentation of Gis Data.- References.

Review :
`In my opinion the book is unique, well done and should be a handbook for mining geologists. It so reflects my personal opinions about mineral exploration that I am probably too prejudicial to be a "fair" reviewer. This book should be a reference in all geological libraries, for students in economic geology and for all economic geologists.' Paul Eimonn, Commonwealth International Inc, Texas. Pre-publication reviewer for Chapman & Hall, 1996 `With this book, Roger Marjoribanks has presented the extractive metals industry with a rare gift: a truly practical and approachable handbook that addresses the daily concerns of the exploration geologist... The open style of writing and Marjoribanks' effective hand-drawn illustrations make the book both approachable and readable... Perhaps of greatest value are the numerous practical tips for efficiently performing routing geological observations and measurements, which are based on the authors' extensive experience as a consulting geologist. Four Appendices are provided, and these include some of the most useful information in the book (no, you can't stop reading at page 88 - the Appendices are a gold mine!). I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone embarking on a career in this field!' Jeremy Richards, Economic Geology, 92 (1997) `First the recommendation: buy it. For any geologist who is involved in exploration, this book will save you time and money. All exploration managers should buy a copy each for the exploration geologists on their staff, and sit them down to read it. Into his 128 pages, Marjoribanks packs a great amount of important practical knowledge.... Marjoribanks states that the book was written to be "a practical field manual to be used by geologists engaged in mineral exploration" and "a text and reference for students in Applied Geology courses of universities and colleges". He has succeeded in both aims... Chapter 2, "Geological Mapping in Exploration", contains some of the most important material in the book...Chapter 4, "Mineral Exploration Drilling", is a winner. Finally, the reprise. For the practicing or aspiring geologist; seriously consider buying this book (or convince your manager to buy you one) because it is useful and practical, and will save you time and money.' Chris Mawer, The Australian Geologist (TAG), 107, (June 1998) `This book will be an invaluable reference to newly graduated geologists in the process of converting academic, theoretical knowledge to practical use in mineral exploration.' Australian Mineral Foundation Informative Book Review Series No. 3021, AMF Reviews 24:10 (October 1997) `This book deserves a warm welcome and wide readership.' Minerals Industry International