Francine Fallara, P.Geo., M.Sc. A.,
Stéphane Faure, P.Geo., Ph.D. and Guilhem Servelle, P.Geo., M.Sc.
Earth Modelling Forum 2016
Montreal, Quebec
October 3rd, 2016 Consultants – Mine - Exploration
The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge »:
Impacts from hard data management through
resulting exploration targets ranking
2The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
«Gold Rush Challenge» Objectives
Increase rapidly their chance in finding the next
major gold deposit discovery within the Sigma-
Lamaque gold properties in Val-d’Or, Québec by:
1. Implementing one of the largest organized
crowdsourcing analytical challenge ever
created in the mining industry
2. Opening it to worldwide individuals and
organizations
3. Marketing the challenge through financed
sponsoring
3The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
«Gold Rush Challenge» AOI - Mineralized ZonesSigma-Lamaque Mines
75 years producing > 9 Moz. Au
Sigma-Lamaque Mill and Mine
Complex are located directly east of
the city of Val-d'Or in the Province of
Quebec, Canada
4The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
InnovExplo Mandate
InnovExplo major roles, before and after the «Gold Rush Challenge»,
are presented in three main phases:
Historical Hard Data Compilation and ManagementPhase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
Resulting Targets Validation and Classification
Resulting Targets Ranking and Querying
171 302 files of
various types
stored
on external drives
26 080 mine plan
levels and sections
(image format)
2 boxes of various
digital supports
(CD, 3.5 inches
disks and tapes)
5The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Hard Data Integration Methodology1. Scan, compile, merge and unify: Several local grids,
scales and elevations within one chosen coordinate
system (UTM nad 83 Z18)
2. Digitalize the 2D polylines of the digital historical geo-
referenced plan levels and sections images
3. Construct the 3D Sigma-Lamaque mines
developments (pit, shafts and drifts)
4. Model the 3D Sigma-Lamaque mines stopes
5. Combine various digital databases from historical
logs (PDF) and spreadsheet files (Excel, Drill-A,
Prolog)
6. Collect all available diamond drill hole (DDH) assays
7. Compile, homogenize and simplify the DDH
lithological markers
Phase 1
InnovExplo
homogenized the
historical data
archived in the
Sigma-Lamaque
mines vaults
InnovExplo
produced a 6-
terabytes hard
drive database
6The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Historical 3D Digital Hard Data Integration
Pits, Shafts and Developments
3D Construction3D Stopes
Underground Geology
and Veins Drift Mapping
Phase 1
Developments draped on
surfaces modelled from the 2D
polylines digitalized on the geo-
referenced plans and sections
2D polylines digitalization of the geo-referenced plan levels and sections
3D stopes surfaces from the 2D digitalized polylines
3D Surfaces from digitalized polylines:
Lamaque Mine: Main mineralized plugs
Sigma Mine: 43 production veins7The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Historical 3D Digital Hard Data Integration
3D Mineralized Zones DDH Entry: Trace DDH Entry: Assays
3D DDH Trace: 36 830Validate various types of spreadsheet files (Excel, Drill-A, Prolog)
Build the DDH database: Collars position and deviation tests
DDH Assays: 16 055712 339 assays entries and validation
Phase 1
8The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Historical 3D Digital Hard Data Integration
Data entry of simplified geological lithologies
along the DDH (110 857 entries)
Phase 1
9The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
« Top 21 » Exploration Targets Synthesis
InnovExplo Resulting Targets Validation and Classification:Phase 2
• Define ranking methods based on several key criteria for 561 selected gold exploration
targets interpreted by the « Top 21 » Gold Rush participants.
VALIDATION
Review
participants’
reports using
an unbiased
approach
CREATION
Build 2D and
3D objects for
each resulting
targets (x, y, z)
in a common
3D model
INTEGRATION
Integrate
participant’s
interpretations
(if available) in a
common 3D
model
CHARACTERIZATION
Generate a 2D and
3D potential
ranking map based
on the targets
characterization
synthesis
classifications
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 6
CLASSIFICATION
Produce an
exhaustive
exploration
targets synthesis
classification
table
Step 4
QUERYING
Recommend
the “best” of the
“best” resulting
« Top 21 »
exploration
targets
Step 5Phases
2-3
Phase
3
10The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
Participants’ approaches can be summarized in 5 categories:
2D and pseudo-3D structural interpretations and regional corridors
2D and 3D geophysical and structural models
Pseudo-3D targets based on geological/metallogenical models
3D estimated resources zones (mine vicinities)
Data-driven and Knowledge-driven approaches
Phase 2 InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification
• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Step 1
11The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Participants’ Approaches:
1. 2D and pseudo-3D structural interpretations and regional corridors
Team 64: Riedels model: Pseudo-3D
C-Shears Triangle Deeps and South
Triangle. 2D geophysical lineaments
interpretations in terms of Riedel
(very focused on one type of
structure). They state in their report: «
Many of these features are very
subtle to identify and may take a
trained eye ore even a touch of
imagination ».
Step 1
Phase 2
12The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Participants’ Approaches:
2. 2D and 3D geophysical and structural models
Team 86: 3D mineralized vein clusters
containing several individual auriferous veins
including a detailed analysis and 3D modelling
of multiple feeder faults in the well-drilled #4
Plug. A 3D model of the Main Lamaque diorite
to compare it with the mineralized clusters
distribution at Sigma, Lamaque, #5 Plug and
Parallel Zone. 3D model for the folded Main
Lamaque diorite and gold shoots. Interesting
and plausible model: Dextral compressional
flower structure; Folds (synclines and
anticlines), back-thrust faults and shear zones,
tilting. Size of individual deposits correlates
with the size of the hosting intrusions. The
dextral Manitou Fault could be the main
fault/fluid conduit?Step 1
Phase 2
13The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Participants’ Approaches:
3. Pseudo-3D targets based on geological/metallogenical models
Team 35: Simple depth and opening and ore shoot trend testing theories.
Deep target zones contours. New model: Trans-tensional tectonic regime with
eroded Timiskaming type sedimentary basin and intrusion emplacement
(plugs) followed by compression and mineralized veins (Flower structure).
Step 1
Phase 2
14The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Participants’ Approaches:
4. 3D estimated resources zones (mine vicinities)
Team 84: Resource estimation exercise: Assay
data validation, creation of solids, statistics
and block modelling completed with GEMs.
Includes: 1) 102 mineralized zones (capped at
25 g/t Au) modeled relative to Sigma-Lamaque
developments; 2) Composited assays at 3 g/t
Au and dataset used as a guide to capture
broader high grade core of the granodiorite (i.e.
two main plugs visually stood out and were
modeled: Bulk1 and Bulk2); 3) Existing
potential corridors modeled to extend up
plunge to surface linking with surface deeper
mine Sigma #45 zone with surface known
deposits; 4) Future prospect: Outline sub-
horizontal high grade veins and 3D plane of
one of the main sub-horizontal high grade vein
with granodiorite outlines projected on the
plane to show areas of higher favorability of
finding new high grade material.
Step 1
Phase 2
15The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Reports Reviews
InnovExplo Targets Validation and Classification
• The evaluation was unbiased without knowing the authors, judging and/or discriminating any new
geoscientific interpretations and approach used for the resulting targets.
Participants’ Approaches:
5. Data-driven and Knowledge-driven approaches
Team 38: 3D surfaces for first order
intrusions (I2J + I1C). 3D surfaces for
faults model (1st, 2nd and 3rd order).
Predictive bloc model (50x50x50m; 2500
m deep). Virtual reality (Oculus Rift) used
to extract new data trends. Team 38
stated « This approach is very similar to
that described in Fallara et al. (2006) in
which the data is integrated into a
GOCAD® “voxet” and a decision tree is
defined to reduce the target areas to a
manageable size ». Fallara et al. (2006)
had chosen for their examples a binary
logic (Yes/No) approach to illustrate the
queries strengths of the gOcad®
software. SGS Geostat chose the Wofe
(weights of evidence) approach to define
classes and ranking scores.
Step 1
Phase 2
16The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Integration
Roughly 800 digital files were sent with the « Top 21 » reports
Step 2
The majority of the « Top 21 »
resulting targets did not exist
as 3D digital objects and were
manually traced by participants
on their report’s figures
Phase 2
17The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Build Targets
Step 3
InnovExplo 3D Target Modelling Methodology
Build 2D and 3D objects for each resulting targets (x, y, z) in a common 3D model
Phase 2
18The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: Classification
InnovExplo produced an exhaustive characterization systematically
based on thematic attributes excerpted from the « Top 21 » reports
Step 4
InnovExplo used this characterization
as a final ranking multiplication criteria
Phase 2
1:50 000 map of the 561 targets projected at the surface
The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: 2D Potential MapInnovExplo generated a 2D potential ranking map established on the
characterization of the targets based on their interpretation approach
Step 5
19
Targets characterization by their interpretation
method:
1. Knowledge-driven
2. Data-driven
3. Conceptual (areas and geological corridors)
4. Geophysical
Phase 2
The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Exploration Targets Synthesis: 3D Potential Cells
Perspective view looking East
Step 5
20
InnovExplo interpolated the targets 3D potential ranking characterization
based on their interpretation approach in a voxet regions cells
Au > 10 g/t (Sigma-Lamaque Assays )
« Top 21 » Gold Rush participants’ 530 targets
centroids
Targets characterization by their interpretation method:
1. Knowledge-driven
2. Data-driven
3. Conceptual (areas and geological corridors)
4. Geophysical
Geophysical
Data-DrivenConceptual
Knowledge-Driven
Phase 2
Perspective view looking EastPerspective view looking NE
Method - M1Step 5
21The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
« Top 21 » Targets Rankings: Regional-Scale Results
InnovExplo (IE) Mean Class Ranking (Method 1 – M1):
Phase 3
Method – M1
Au > 10 g/t (Sigma-Lamaque Assays )
« Top 21 » Gold Rush
participants’ targets
centroids, scaled with the
Mean Class Ranking
Targets regions painted with
the Mean Class ranking
(ranking_mean_class_IE)
Perspective view looking EastPerspective view looking NE
Method – M2
Step 5
22The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
« Top 21 » Targets Rankings: Regional-Scale Results
Method Approach Ranking (Method 2 – M2)
Method – M2Au > 10 g/t (Sigma-Lamaque Assays )
« Top 21 » Gold Rush
participants’ targets
centroids, scaled with the
Method Approach RankingTargets regions painted with
the Method Approach Ranking
(ranking_method_reg)
Phase 3
Perspective view looking EastPerspective view looking NE
Method – M3
23The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Step 5
« Top 21 » Targets Rankings: Regional-Scale Results
Exploration Ranking (Method 3 – M3)
« Top 21 » Gold Rush
participants’ targets
centroids, scaled with an
Exploration Ranking
multiplied by the
InnovExplo Factor
Targets regions painted with
the regional Exploration
Ranking (ranking_GG_reg)
Method – M3Au > 10 g/t (Sigma-Lamaque Assays )
Phase 3
Perspective view looking NE
Method – M4
24The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Step 5
« Top 21 » Targets Rankings: Regional-Scale Results
Total Number of Target Intersections Ranking (Method 4 – M4)
Maximum possible number of
intersecting targets within a
cell is 10 for both the regional-
scale and mine-scale voxets
Phase 3
Perspective view looking NE Perspective view looking NE
Method – M4
25The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
« Top 21 » Targets Rankings: Regional-Scale Results
Total Number of Target Intersections Ranking (Method 4 – M4)
Step 5
Method – M4
« Top 21 » Gold Rush participants’
targets total number of intersections,
from two to 10 possible intersections,
illustrated on the plan and sections of
the regional-scale voxetTargets regions painted with
the Total Number of Target
Intersections Ranking
(target_int_Number_reg)
Phase 3
26The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
« Top 21 » Exploration Targets Synthesis: Querying
Summary of 3D Queries based on Best Rankings PercentilesPhase 3
• 3D queries were defined using simple Boolean queries (Q) to identify the best theoretical targets of
the area based on:
Step 6Examples of 3D queries (Q) for the regional-scale and mine-scale voxets
Method
M3-
M3a-
M1-
M2-
Method
M3-
M3a-
M1-
M2-
Thresholds set systematically above the 75th percentile with the resulting total
remaining cells applied to both the regional-scale and mine-scale voxets
Targets 3D Queries: Regional-Scale Results
Summary of 3D Queries (Q): Q01 through Q05
Q01 = M3 cells Q02 = M3a cells Q03 = M1 cells Q04 = M2 cells
Results
Intersections
∩
Union
U
Q01’ = ∩ (Q02 -Q03-Q04) Q02’ = ∩ (Q02-Q03) Q03’ = ∩ Q04
Q05 = U (Q01-Q02-Q03-Q04) 27The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Step 6
User-defined 3D queries to extract the
best of the best « Top 21 » Gold Rush
exploration targets
Phase 3
Distance to drill holes < 100 m
Mine-Scale Sections illustrating Rankings and Attributes
28The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Step 6
North-South 1:10 000 cross-section (looking West) spaced at 100 ± 50 m
S N
S294 350 m.E.
Attribute 1
SigmaLamaque
MainPlugs
looking West
La
ma
qu
e S
ou
th
Sig
ma
-La
ma
qu
e a
nd
/o
rF
ou
rnie
r
0 m
100 m
Targets Intersections Ranking
S N
S294 350 m.E.
Method 4
Production Veins
SigmaLamaque
MainPlugs
Sig
ma
-La
ma
qu
e a
nd
/o
rF
ou
rnie
r
La
ma
qu
e S
ou
th
Production Veins
Phase 3
The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study 29
Worldwide Brainstorming
Session
Multi-disciplinary
Ideas
Low-risk high return investment
tag
Motivated over 1,000 hours
of brainpower data crunching
Created a mega-database
interpretation
Rendered over 3,000 pages
reports + video submissions
Generated new and
outside the box
innovative approaches
and ideas for future
exploration programs
Donated generous cash
prizes
Received in exchange
(hopefully) their next big
gold discovery
« G
old
Ru
sh
Ch
alle
ng
e »
Imp
act
for
Inte
gra
Go
ldSession: Data ManagementQ1: Why does InnovExplo see value and/or impact in data management?
1 year investment return ?? Qualified as Au Moz ++ / ++ Production Years ??The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Session: Data ManagementQ2: What business value or concerns are addressed?
30
TimeImpactAu Ounces
10 Moz
+ 0 Moz
+ ?? Moz
Technologies and
techniques
implementations
Production
> 500 highly
prioritized
quality
exploration
targets
75 yrs.
+ ? yrs.?
« Gold Rush Challenge »
+75 Years1932
ExplorationProduction 2010
Closure
InnovExplo produced 6 terabytes
historical hard database compilation
Future Exploration Program
? Future Production ?
20??
InnovExplo validated, ranked and
queried Top-21 targets
1 y
ea
r sp
an
Investing 1
year focused
on adding
the historical
hard data
31The Integra « Gold Rush Challenge » Case Study
Integra Gold Corporate,
workers and technical
team
« Gold Rush Challenge »
Participants
InnovExplo Team
Acknowledgements
Top
21
1
SGS Geostat
2
Data Miners