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The Continuity Problem…
CIM Conference Montreal 2017Dr. Wayne Barnett
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The Interpretation!
Great geological continuity?Huge potential?
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The Reality
Not what it might seem...Not what it might seem...
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Presentation ObjectiveThe objective of the presentation is to highlight the
importance of understanding geological continuity and to describe techniques for getting better constraint on continuity, for resource and engineering reasons.
Geological continuity is a fundamental characteristic of any geological interpretation.
The difference between actual and interpreted continuity directly impacts the risk to any decision based on the interpretation, often with huge financial implications.
Unfortunately continuity is the characteristic of a sub-surface 3-D geological model that is typically the hardest to interpret with certainty.
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Structures and Mineralization Continuity
Structural geology may directly control the style and continuity of mineralization.
Intersection pattern, kinematics and fluid permeability (fault zone properties)
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Blast hole gold assays
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Modelling Continuity
How far?
Interpreted continuity has large impact on resource and mine stability.
Requires understanding of patterns from mapping and tectonic environment.
How well does it line up?
Segmented?
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Modelling Structural Continuity
Resource GeologistGeotechnical Engineer
How did I justify this interpretation?
What are the data constraints?
Where is the model confident?
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Investor
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CIM Conference – Montreal 2017West Claims Mine, Ortlepp ,1997
Geological systems are complex with variable properties.
How do you communicate this pattern and continuity?
Geology is not straight lines
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Resource Continuity
From CIM DEFINITION STANDARDS, 2014
…evidence is sufficient to imply but not verify geological and grade or quality continuity.
…evidence is sufficient to assume geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation.
…evidence is sufficient to confirm geological and grade or quality continuity between points of observation.
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Structural Constraints on Geotechnics
From Sullivan, 2013
Fault zone orientation and continuity can constrain the slope angle
Incr
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The Continuity Problem
How can we try constrain continuity?
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(1) Identify and Describe the PatternsStructural geology is recognition and understanding of patterns…
Patterns help define the possible continuity.
Map the Patterns!!!
Pattern Recognition
213 / 27
Motion tablet
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Small scale
Large scale
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Realistic Patterns and ContinuityUnderstand real patterns.Look for relationships between different scale structures, as well as cross-
cutting relationships.
Not realistic
Realistic
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Kim et al (2004)
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Brittle Deformation Patterns Impact Continuity
What is the spacing of faults and typical displacement?
Faulting can significantly reduce local continuity of the resource, increasing capital and operational costs
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< 200 kaorogenic belt
• Relative timing?• When does
mineralization occur?
Ductile Deformation Patterns Impact Continuity
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2.1 Ga orogenic belt
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(2) Surface Traces of ContinuityAerial photographs Aeromagnetic images Surface mapping
Orthophotographs Lidar topography lineaments
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(3) Continuity Evidence from Drillholesclay
RQD % shell in Leapfrog
Structural Codes – Flt, Bx, etc
North
Fracture Frequency
Clay or alteration
BH / DH assays
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Oriented?!
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(4) Lithological Pattern ChangesLithological offsets and thickness changes
Interpreted fault trace along offset
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(5) Form Line Interpretation Pattern Changes
19
0 500
From Geoff Owen, SRK
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(6) LiDAR Data Continuity TracesSurface or pit LiDAR, photogrammetry and other remote sensing data can help trace continuity.
Mapped Faults
Fracture Pattern
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Photogrammetry Continuity Traces
Faults
The full trace of a discontinuity is very rarely observed!
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(7) Geostatistical
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Geostatistical analysis of sampled rock properties, e.g. assays, can be used to mathematical explore continuity within a geological domain.
Variography used to define estimation search ellipse continuity
Grade Estimation
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(8) Integrated Geological Interpretation
Final interpretation of pattern and continuity is built based on all evidence, integrated in 3D.
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Geological Foundation
• “The single most important factor in Resource/Reserve estimation is an understanding of the geology of the deposit
• This cannot be emphasized too strongly. Without a sound geological understanding, and a sensible application of that understanding, an estimation exercise becomes merely a mathematical treatment of sample results with no practical value
• Commonly the potential errors associated with an incorrect or inappropriate geological interpretation are orders of magnitude larger than the potential errors associated with grade estimation. Changes in the fundamental understanding of the geological controls on mineralization can dramatically alter an assessment of tonnage”
(Stephenson and Vann, 2001)
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Example – Red Lake
Red Lake Geology
Phoenix Project Geology, 2013 TR
Northern Miner, January 13, 2016
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D1-D2 Relationships,
F2 deposit, 2013 TR
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Examples – Red LakeEvolution of the Litho-structural model, Phoenix Project, 2016 TR
Gold mineralization examples, Phoenix Project, 2016 TR
“The nature of these uncharacterized faults and their timing relative to gold mineralization is not understood.”
Rubicon Phoenix 2013 Technical Report
The 2016 model benefited from and extra 94,575 m of infilled drilling and 10 km of underground development.
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Conclusions
Continuity is important.
One of the best tools for understanding continuity is structural geology, which constrains possible interpretations and often brings realistic expectations back into a geological model.
Modern 3-D modelling tools and the ability to integrate multiple old and new technologies into one decision making environment also helps improve interpretation of continuity….IF founded on Sound Geological Understanding
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Thank you
Wayne Barnett, PhD, PrSciNat.
This presentation is protected by copyright vested in SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. Neither the entire presentation or any part therein, including any images, graphs or tables, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever to any personwithout the written permission of the copyright holder. This presentation is for informational purposes only and is not the provision of a professional service. SRK accepts no responsibility for any liability which may arise from reliance upon the contents of this presentation.
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