Mineral exploration

Статья посвящена описанию технологического обеспечения работ по Мониторингу государственной геологической карты масштаба 1 : 1 000 000 третьего поколения (ГК-1000/3) территории Российской Федерации и ее континентального шельфа. Используемые в работе данные получены в период с 2002 по 2025 г. при проведении ГК-1000/3. В статье описаны ключевые информационные ресурсы, применяемые при проведении мониторинга. Информационный ресурс «Серийные легенды» создавался для актуализации легенд серий листов ГК-1000/3, однако в настоящее время он включен в работу по мониторингу: его функционал существенно  расширен для работы с полистными легендами, а также добавлена возможность генерации условных обозначений для публикации данных Единой геолого-картографической модели. Веб-приложение ggkmon-webmap позволяет обращаться к данным базы модели посредством сети Интернет. Программа-загрузчик в базу Единой геолого-картографической модели и программа автоматической проверки MapInspector позволяют не только загружать данные комплектов, но и проверять их на соответствие нормативным документам. Кроме того, в статье представлены сведения о составе данных, технологии их проверки и загрузки, публикации, а также о работе с информационными ресурсами при обращении к данным. (The paper describes technological support for Monitoring the State Geological Map of the Russian  Federation and its continental shelf at a scale of 1 : 1,000,000, third generation (SGM-1000/3). Monitoring the SGM-1000/3 from 2002 to 2025 provided data for the paper. The article describes key data resources for the SGM-1000/3 monitoring activities. The Serial Legends data resource was originally created to update series legends of the SGM-1000/3 sheets, although it is currently integrated into the monitoring activity and significantly expanded to work with sheet legends, allowing for generating symbols in the data publication application of the Unified geological-cartographic model. The web application ggkmon-webmap enables access to the Model database via the Internet. The data loader program for the Unified geological-cartographic model database and the automated data verification program MapInspector not only facilitate map sets data upload but also validate against regulatory documents. Additionally, the article provides an overview of data content, verification and loading technologies, data publication, and procedures to work with data resources when accessing data.)

The development of selective or sequential extraction procedures for geochemical exploration programs requires intensive chemical experimentation with special attention to factors such as leaching time, temperature, grainsize and the type and concentration of leachate used in the extraction experiment. Considerable experimental error is also introduced during the chemical reaction through differences in the leachability of trace elements from different minerals as well as resorption onto suspended clay particles during the extraction procedure. The current study examines the use of statistics for determining the residence phases of trace elements utilising alternative methodologies using whole-rock geochemical data analysed from pedogenic calcrete and parent material sampled in profiles from South and Western Australia. The aims being to determine the geochemical changes that occur in the zone of calcium accumulation, i.e. does the minor and trace element composition of pedogenic ca...

Purpose-This research examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI); environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors; renewable energy consumption (REC) and economic growth (gross domestic product (GDP)) on environmental quality, as measured by the load capacity factor (LCF), in the United States of America (USA). This measure compares ecological biocapacity with the ecological footprint of a country. Design/methodology/approach-This study employed novel Wavelet Quantile on Quantile Regression (WQQR) to assess the effect of AI, ESG, REC and GDP on LCF and Wavelet Quantile on Quantile Granger Causality (WQQGC) determine the casual effect. The WQQR technique allows to explore the influence of these variables with respect to multiple quantiles on LCF for time period spanning from January 2011 to December 2022. Findings-The WQQR outcomes show the heterogenous effect of AI, ESG, REC and GDP on the environment quality throughout quantiles. Such that AI degrades the environment in short term; however, in the medium to long term, it improves the environment quality. ESG factors have an initial negative impact due to transition costs, a mixed effect in the medium term and a positive effect in the long term. Whereas AI, GDP and REC negatively impact environmental quality in short-and medium-term quantiles due to transitional challenges and industrial expansion, their positive effect becomes more pronounced in the long term. Research limitations/implications-The findings suggest practical implications for governments, businesses and stakeholders. The findings inform policymakers how to promote the use of AI and ESG practices that raise environmental quality. Integration of AI and more ESG commitments can assist businesses achieve themselves, improved efficiency and decreased environmental impact. In particular, this study argues that primary importance should be given to increasing the REC so that environmental quality could be enhanced and that more investment in renewable energy infrastructure is required to supply the green technology to promote longterm growth. Originality/value-To date, existing studies have not employed advanced econometric methods, such as WQQR and WQQGC, to estimate environmental quality for the USA. Furthermore, this study examines the impact of AI and ESG shocks on environmental quality, utilizing LCF as a proxy, which is an innovative approach to the literature on environmental quality.

The toxicity risks of being over exposed to ionizing radiation in the environments are of great concern to environmental and health scientists. The distribution of radioactivity concentrations of thorium, uranium and potassium were studied in randomly selected soil samples from ten (10) farm locations in Odo Oba, southwestern Nigeria in order to determine the radiological risks of farmers' exposure to radionuclides. The mean estimation of thorium and potassium are greater than the global average by factors of 1,5 and 2,7, while that of uranium fall below the global average. The estimation of radioactivity ratios showed a depletion of uranium and enrichment of thorium in the study area. Further analysis on the radioelements (that is, thorium, uranium and potassium) showed that 83% of the estimated radiological risks are above the global average. The multivariate analyses involving Pearson's correlation, Factor Analysis, Hierarchical Cluster Analysis were also used to explain the correlations among the data sets. It was affi rmed from the multivariate analysis that the radiological hazards occur as a result of contributions from the three naturally occurring radionuclides. The Foreign Edition

As interest and opportunity in deep-sea mineral extraction grows, the increased activity poses a new threat to the underwater cultural heritage (UCH) sites in New Zealand’s deep-sea environment. Currently this environment is largely unexplored in terms of professional maritime archaeological investigation and recording, however, there are some significant shipwrecks such as the SS Ventnor, RMS Niagara, and SS Port Kembla, that have been explored by technical divers. Sites like these are both fragile and historically valuable and as such, current protection measures and potential adverse effects arising from seabed mining need to be assessed in order to understand how to offer some protection to the valuable information that lies on and below the sea floor. This chapter examines the potential risks to UCH posed by offshore resource development and reviews New Zealand’s current legislative framework, including the Resource Management Act 1991, the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014, and the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012. It highlights the regulatory gaps in the protection of UCH beyond the 12 nautical mile limit and underscores the need for urgent policy reform. With maritime archaeology still emerging as a professional discipline in New Zealand, the chapter calls for increased investment in site surveys, regulatory expertise, and public education. It advocates for a precautionary and proactive approach to offshore development that prioritises the identification, documentation, and protection of UCH as a critical component of New Zealand’s maritime heritage.

Este artigo busca refletir sobre as contribuições da escatologia cristã frente aos desafios da crise ecológica atual. Partindo da promessa bíblica de “novos céus e nova terra” (Ap 21,1), analisa-se de que modo a esperança escatológica pode inspirar práticas de cuidado, responsabilidade e compromisso com a criação. A partir de uma abordagem teológico-bíblica e dialogando com a teologia ecológica contemporânea, argumenta-se que a escatologia não deve ser vista como fuga do mundo, mas como fundamento de uma espiritualidade ecológica ativa, responsável e esperançosa.

Soil sampling is a useful tool for the assessment of large areas of land where low sulphidation epithermal vein mineralisation is known or suspected. It provides a quantitative means of mapping out the geometry of an epithermal system and identifying potentially economic gold concentrations. In this paper gold in soil geochemistry data from the La India gold mining district in Nicaragua is used to model the soil gold signature at different sample grid spacing over known gold resources. The most cost-effective or optimal soil sample grid spacing to explore for epithermal gold deposits in this tropical wet and dry environment is identified. La India gold mining district covers a 50 km² area of fault-fill gold-silver mineralized quartz-adularia veins in western Nicaragua. The distribution of gold veins is well understood with current estimates defining a mineral endowment of over 2.3 Moz gold. The exploration data includes full coverage of the district by a 200 m by 50 m soil survey of fine-fraction B-horizon soil with ultra-trace multi-element analysis. Soil close to the gold veins is enriched in gold at trace level. Gold resources and prospects can be effectively ranked using the soil data with the larger resources correlating to broader, higher-grade soil gold anomalies. The soil gold content can be used to map-out the geometry and distribution of the epithermal vein system. In this study the soil survey data is filtered to create simulated 200 m by 200 m and 400 m by 400 m soil grids. The simulated grids are assessed against the mapped veins, surface rock chip and trench results, and known mineral resources. It is concluded that a 200 m by 200 m soil grid is adequate to discover economic vein gold deposits in the soil type found in the tropical wet and dry zone of western Nicaragua. This grid spacing provides enough resolution to map out vein trends and the overall geometry of an epithermal vein system that is exposed at surface and provides sufficient resolution to rank the gold anomalies by size and grade with confidence that the ranking will broadly correlate with associated gold occurrences. A 400 m by 400 m spaced soil sampling does appear to detect the larger deposits but will miss smaller or partially hidden deeper-seated deposits, and the spacing is too wide to provide any useful information on epithermal vein orientation or network geometry.

La India gold mining district covers a 50 km² area of fault-fill gold-silver mineralized quartz-adularia veins on the western margin of a Tertiary volcanic arc in western Nicaragua. Historic mining records and modern mineral exploration data, which to-date has defined a mineral endowment of over 2.3 Moz gold, provide a wealth of geological information. This paper draws on these observations and data to describe and classify the gold-silver mineralisation at La India, identify the geological controls, and interpret the timing of mineralisation within the regional tectonic setting. The district-scale gold-silver mineralisation at La India occurs in two adjacent geological settings with distinct mineralization characteristics and exploration potential: (1) an upland area of strongly faulted felsic to andesitic volcanics where the historic mine workings are located, and (2) an adjacent downthrown graben, the Sebaco Graben, where a thick sequence of andesite is preserved overlying the felsic volcanic sequence. Gold mineralisation is classified as rift margin-type low-sulphidation epithermal gold-silver fault and fracture-fill vein mineralization. In the historic mining area erosion has exposed the top of the high-grade epithermal zone. Minimal erosion in the Sebaco Graben means that the epithermal system is fully preserved at depth, with localised hydrothermal sinter outcrops, sporadic low-grade mineralised veins and a phreatic breccia pipe exposed at surface. Apart from the one phreatic breccia, the gold-silver mineralisation occurs in quartz veins and breccias that filled brittle faults and associated fractures and fissures which developed in an extensional tectonic setting. The structures containing the gold-silver mineralisation were formed as normal and trans-tensional faults with orientations consistent with southwest-directed extension: (1) a predominant northwest to north-northwest set parallel to the subducting plate; (2) secondary but locally extensive east-west, and (3) tertiary shorter and narrower northeast and north-striking veins. A district-scale north-northwest orientated through-going structure linking the major gold-silver deposits in the historic mining area is interpreted as a deep crustal conduit for the gold-silver bearing hydrothermal fluids. Other, as yet unidentified basement feeder structures may have fed mineralised corridors in the east and west of the district. The gold-silver mineralisation is best developed where structures pass through competent felsic volcanics and welded tuffs in the historic mine area, and also in the overlying andesite flows in the Sebaco Graben. Gold-silver mineralisation is less well developed where the structure passes through less competent unwelded tuffs and volcanic agglomerates. Gold-silver mineralisation is interpreted as occurring shortly before or at 8-10 Ma at the end of a long period of slab-rollback induced extension and arc volcanism. Post-mineralisation block faulting split the La India district into the upthrown, and subsequently eroded historic mine area where epithermal mineralisation is largely exposed at surface, and the well-preserved downthrown blocks such as the Sebaco graben where much of the gold-silver mineralisation is still hidden several hundred metres below surface.

The Archean Legris Lake mafic–ultramafic complex (LLC) is spatially (~ 12 km east) and temporally (2690.59 ± 0.77 Ma) associated with the world-class Lac des Iles (LDI) palladium deposit. Modeling of whole-rock major-element compositions suggests that this complex, previously interpreted as gabbroic, is gabbronoritic in composition, adding to the likely association between LDI and the LLC. Mantle normalized trace-element profiles and modeled parental melt compositions from the cumulate lithologies indicate initial melt extraction from a metasomatized mantle source in an arc setting and subsequent crystallization of olivine, orthopyroxene, and plagioclase at depth following assimilation of SiO2 and S from tonalitic country rock. External S assimilation contributed to sulfide saturation at depth prior to or during emplacement, but sulfide melt entrainment in intruding magmas and its retention at the site of emplacement was variable. These interpretations are supported by (1) variation...

En este artículo se analiza el encuentro entre hombres de Pantepec (ejidatarios y avecindados) y geólogos de Linear Gold en el contexto de la exploración minera del período 2003-2008; además, se abordan los impactos y alcances de tal actividad en la región norte de Chiapas (México). El trabajo de investigación se guió teórica y metodológicamente por la perspectiva orientada al actor y por la noción de interfaz. Se recabó y sistematizó información de fuentes secundarias, que se trianguló con entrevistas y otras fuentes primarias. Como resultado, se identificó una red de actores formada por 12 geólogos, ocho empresas, cuatro organizaciones y dos instituciones públicas. La memoria de los actores locales da cuenta de las relaciones de poder en las prácticas de exploración minera. Aunque otras relaciones no fueron documentadas, fue posible saber sobre eventos y situaciones que explican el fin de la interfaz con la expulsión de los geólogos. La identificación de la red de actores del sector minero aporta una visión compleja que trasciende la dicotomía público-privado. La interfaz de exploración minera contribuyó a reposicionar en el interés del sector minero los yacimientos de oro del norte de Chiapas, ya que se le han otorgado más concesiones mineras en la región.

El desarrollo industrial y post-industrial durante la primera mitad del siglo XX ha estado asociado a la explotación y utilización masiva de los metales (Pb, Hg, Zn, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni). El consumo de los mismos ha aumentado en tres veces aproximadamente durante este periodo. En este mismo contexto a fines del siglo XX, la utilización de nuevas tecnologías: láser, máseres, materiales magneto-ópticos, sistemas de comunicación, ha incrementado la demanda de nuevos metales. Este es caso de los lantánidos, cuya utilización se ha incrementado en cinco veces en las últimas décadas, esto sumado a la necesidad de obtener conocimientos verificados sobre el comportamiento natural de dichos elementos, hace importante tener un mejor entendimiento sobre la dispersión y distribución geoquímica de los elementos lantánidos y la posible relación existente con otros elementos traza ya estudiados anteriormente con mayor amplitud.

This study fills the gap in the literature by applying novel quantile regression and spectral Granger causality frameworks to evaluate the asymmetric effect of GDP, globalization, green growth, and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in India. The results suggest that in all quantiles, green growth, globalization, and renewable energy consumption impact environmental quality negatively, and the effect of economic growth on CO2 emissions is positive in most of the quantiles. In addition, the nexus between the regressors and CO2 emissions is significant across different time horizons. More specifically, the results from the spectral Granger causality test unveil that all the indicators would predict CO2 emissions across various time scales. Several policy implications have been proposed based on the research's findings so that India might move toward achieving sustainable development.

Given that the e#ect of the synergy between natural resources and environmental sustainability varies by country and economic structure, this study examines the dynamic impacts of FDI, mineral markets, GDP, NORE, FID, REN, and EB on the ENT in the UK. It makes contributions to the related literature by (i) revisiting this question for the energy transition in the UK and (ii) using QQR and NCQ to detail the interplay between the time series. The empirical outcomes highlight that renewable energy, FDI, FID, and urbanization have a tremendous impact on this country's energy transition, which supports sustainable development goals. Results also show a mixed reaction of GDP, non-renewable energy, and mineral markets to the energy transition in the UK. These !ndings o#er insightful policy suggestions for all interested parties to advance the shift to REN for low-carbon and environmentally friendly growth.

La exploración de recursos constituye una etapa importante para localizar elementos de interés económico, sin embargo, tradicionalmente solo se evalúan indicadores geoquímicos sin considerar variables que impactan en la cadena de valor de la minería. Por consiguiente, el objetivo de esta investigación consistió en elaborar la simulación geometalúrgica para la exploración de ocurrencias minerales de Au y Ag, mediante información geo-estructural, geoquímica y atributos geometalúrgicos de una zona prospectiva ubicada al NW de Ecuador. Para esto se aplicó el Análisis Composicional a datos geoquímicos de 37 elementos en 448 muestras de sedimentos fluviales, y se conformaron dos grupos multielementales, para indicadores geoquímicos de Au – Ag y otro de perjudiciales en
lixiviación. Luego, se elaboró su análisis geoestadístico mediante Simulación Secuencial Gaussiana, ejecutando 100 realizaciones para cada grupo y se eligieron aquellas que reproduzcan mejor las estadísticas y variogramas. Además, se evaluó la probabilidad de ocurrencia por encima del valor umbral. Los resultados anómalos son coherentes con
datos de depósitos cercanos que indican una ley de 57.45 g/t Au y recuperación mayor al 90 %; asimismo, existen zonas con alta probabilidad (> 50 %) de ocurrencias de elementos perjudiciales, lo que probablemente afecte negativamente en la recuperación de Au a gran escala. Dada la fuerte correlación entre anomalías geoquímicas con
presencia de cuerpos intrusivos, sistemas estructurales de fallas y datos metalúrgicos, se establece una nueva metodología para labores prospectivas que permite definir áreas más precisas para la exploración a detalle, lo cual reduce el riesgo e incertidumbre en etapas iniciales de la minería.

El pasado 2 de agosto, en la ciudad de Caracas, falleció el querido, respetado y admirado geólogo y profesor Alfredo Mederos Herrera. Su partida deja un profundo vacío en quienes tuvimos el privilegio y el honor de conocerlo. Maestro nato, por vocación de servicio y apasionado amante de las ciencias de la Tierra, quien destacaba por su habilidad para transmitir sus conocimientos de manera sencilla pero entusiasta, siempre salpicada de humor y ocurrencias que convertían incluso los temas más complejos en una experiencia de aprendizaje agradable y memorable.
Como compañero de trabajo, sobresalía por su bonhomía, calidad humana, capacidad para integrarse e integrar a los equipos multidisciplinarios, afabilidad y su constante disposición para cumplir con las tareas de forma eficiente en un ambiente laboral distendido y cálido.

scandium a rare earth can revolutionize the all the sectirs of industry that depend upon it is low weight. small percentages will increase its strength manifold and also methods of fabrication that were not suitable for aluminum. The paper gives the present resources estimates of current production and the state of ongoing initiatives that will lead to substatial increase in availability in the near future.

This Presentation explains two complementary techniques—remote sensing and geophysics—for mineral resource exploration in the central Jebilets region, between Sidi Mansour and Oulad Dlim, north of Kitara. Remote sensing enabled the detection of major structural lineaments (N-S to NNE-SSW, and a secondary N70 set), the production of a geological facies map consistent with existing cartography, and the identification of hydrothermal mineral concentrations such as iron oxide, dolomite, and silica. The geophysical survey, based on electrical resistivity, revealed four E-W trending sections showing anomalies at depths of 20–100 m over widths of around 200 m. Integrating remote sensing with geophysical data highlighted low-resistivity zones linked to hydrothermal alteration, potentially indicating secondary minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, or other sulfides. These findings provide valuable insights into hydrothermal fluid pathways and mineralization processes in the study area.

Batuan volkanik anggota Formasi Hulusimpang yang terdapat di Bengkulu dan Lampung relatif sama. Daerah Bengkulu terdiri basalt porfiri, andesit porfiri, andesit basaltik, trakhit porfiri, latit porfiri, tufa batuan, dan disertai urat kalsit dan urat kuarsa. Sedangkan batuan di Lampung terdiri dari : basalt porfiri, andesit porfiri, andesit basaltik, andesit hornblenda, trakhit porfiri, latit porfiri, tufa batuan/ tufa breksi, dasit porfiri. Sebagian batuan telah teralterasi, yang terdiri dari propilitik, filik, dan argilik. Propilitik lebih dominan, yang dicirikan oleh klorit, karbonat dan epidot. Sedangkan filik ditunjukkan mineral ubahan serisit, silika, adapun argilik oleh munculnya mineral lempung yang banyak. Mineral logam yang didapatkan Bengkulu dan Lampung sama jenisnya yaitu mineral sulfida yang ditunjukkan munculnya pirit, kalkopirit, sfalerit. Mineral logam ini menunjukkan tekstur pengisian pada rongga batuan (cavity fillings) dan penggantian pirit oleh kalkopirit (replac...

The Okpella region in southwestern Nigeria’s Precambrian Basement Complex holds significant gold (Au) mineralization potential but remains underexplored due to its complex lithostructural evolution. The terrain comprises diverse metasedimentary and granitoid rocks, including granite gneiss (GGN), garnet-biotite schist (GBS), calc-silicate gneiss (CGN), quartzite (Qs), banded iron formation (BIF), charnockite (Ch), granite (G), and minor pegmatite and basic dykes. This study presents a novel integration of geological, geochemical, and high-resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric data—including magnetic derivatives, optimized radiometric indices, potassium deviation analysis, Au prospectivity modeling, and magnetic depth-to-source estimations—to delineate lithological units, characterize hydrothermal alteration, identify Au-bearing zones, and estimate the depths of mineralized structures. The Ch-dominated southern domain shows low to moderate magneto-radiometric responses, while the central to northern zones (GGN, GBS, CGN, BIF, G) exhibit higher signals—with magnetic intensities reaching up to 105.6 nT—interspersed with localized lows. Enhanced magnetic derivatives, optimized radiometric indices, and Au prospectivity mapping refine auriferous targeting by highlighting structurally reactivated contacts, particularly GBS–G, CGN–G, GGN–CGN–G, and GBS–CGN–G, dominated by NE–SW and NW–SE structures. Three structurally controlled hydrothermal belts with exploitable depths from <37 to 125 m are delineated, while deeper magnetic models resolve reactivated crustal blocks down to ~3.5 km. The resulting framework provides a transferable exploration strategy, integrating geophysical, geochemical, and geological insights to support sustainable mineral development and national resource-based economic growth.

Batı Avustralya'daki Doğu Goldfields Üst Bölgesi'nde, Walter Williams Formasyonu'nun serpantinleşmiş komatiitleri üzerinde gelişen Goongarrie Ni-Co laterit yatağı, altta Mg silikat bakımından zengin bir saprolit ve üstte demirli bir saprolit (Ni ve Co bakımından zengin Fe oksit zonu) ile işaretlenmiş kalın bir lateritik ayrışma profilinden oluşur.
Yapısal kontroller, özellikle KB-GD ve KKD-GGD kayma zonları ve paleokanallar, profil kalınlığını (125 metreye kadar) ve metal zenginleşmesinin lokalizasyonunu etkilemiştir.
Mineralojik ve jeokimyasal veriler, nikel ve kobaltın öncelikle Fe ve Mn oksitlerde (götit, asbolan) bulunduğunu, skandiyum ve nadir toprak elementlerinin ise Fe bakımından zengin zonlarda ve kil minerallerinde zenginleştiğini ortaya koymaktadır. Ağır mineral konsantreleri, birincil ve ikincil Ni-Co-Cu-As sülfürlerinin, PGE taşıyan fazların ve Au-Ag elektrumunun, özellikle Mg süreksizliği gibi redoks sınırları boyunca değişken bir şekilde korunduğunu veya yeniden harekete geçirildiğini göstermektedir.
Hidrotermal üst baskılar, özellikle alt saprolitte, kromit ve klorit açısından zengin bölgelerde Ni-Co-As sülfürlerinin ve PGE'nin oluşumuna katkıda bulunmuştur.
Kromitteki rutenyum içeriği sistematik olarak değişerek, profilin farklı kısımlarında sülfür doygunluğu için bir vekil sağlamaktadır. Lazer ablasyon ICP-MS ve jeokimyasal korelasyonlar, Fe ve Mn oksitlerin eser ve kritik metallerin (örneğin Sc, REE, Au, Ag, PGE) zenginleştirilmesinde ve yeniden dağıtılmasında merkezi bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir.
Altın zenginleşmesi, redoks gradyanları, Mg süreksizliğine yakın pH değişimi ve yapısal olarak kontrol edilen yollarla ilişkilidir. Bu durum, asidik ve oksitleyici koşullar altında halojenür kompleksinin taşınımına dair kanıtlar ve lateritik ve paleokanal ortamlarında çökelme ile ilişkilidir. Stratigrafik, mineralojik ve jeokimyasal verilerin entegrasyonu, Goongarrie laterit profilinde Ni, Co, Sc, REE ve Au'nun yoğunlaşmasında litoloji, yapı, ayrışma ve akışkan akışı arasındaki etkileşimi vurgulamaktadır.

This study reports the occurrence of mafic-related metallic mineral deposits in the Msangano Trough of the Mbozi terrane, Tanzania. The study investigated the Msangano Trough by applying apparent density mapping and edge detection methods to TOPEX gravity data of the study area, utilizing Oasis Montaj software. The edge detectors were used to locate contacts, and faults, and, to calculate depths to the gravity anomalies. The apparent density values were utilized to distinguish metallic mineral deposits from non-mineralized intrusions. The results from these methods were combined to construct the structural map of the study area. The results show that the area is structurally controlled by major faults predominantly trending in the northwest-southeast direction. The area has two metallic mineral deposits, A and B, with density values ranging from 3.62 to 4.30 g/cm 3. These deposits, A and B, span 109.8 and 62.2 km 2 , respectively. The Euler deconvolution and Direct Source Parameter Imaging indicate that the deposits are situated at an average depth of 950 m below the surface. The age of the basalts in the Mbozi terrane correlates well with the age of the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa and the Sudbury Complex in Ontario, Canada.

Nondestructive inspections of dnll string components play a fundamental role in reducing failures. For this reason, ENEL dedicated special attention to the inspection of material in both the manufacturing and acceptance phases. During the dnlling phase, adequate and control is the starting point for correct management. Since the inspection standards normally adopted are the ones prescribed by the API oil dnlling standards, ENEL thought it necessary, because of the particular of the material, to prepare own specifications for inspection standards and acceptance criteria. Although still satisfying the API standards, these specifications are specially tailored to geothermal drilling. This, together with other for the handling and control of drilling fluids, helped to greatly reduce the number of failures. Just in the period failures were reduced to a third. This paper the procedures adopted by ENEL to guarantee high quality and to minimize failures even in a field like where the materi...

The study aimed to interpret the aeromagnetic data along the Okene-Lokoja axis in South-Central Nigeria, using minimum curvature gridding, analytic signal, first vertical derivatives, and spectral analysis. Magnetic anomalies from the RTE-TMI showed varying susceptibilities at the northern and southern parts of the area. The Cretaceous overlies this area with Cenozoic sediments. The anomalies observed correspond with the presence of mineralized iron ore localities (Okene, Itakpe, Ajaokuta, and Lokoja) within the Granite-Gneiss-Migmatite-Quartzite unit of the Nigerian Basement Complex. The high magnetic amplitudes range from 141 to 201 nT, which occupies parts of the NE and SE parts. The susceptibility reflects the metasediments and metavolcanic rocks with granite intrusions. The intermediate amplitudes of the anomalies in this zone range from 96 to 141 nT, while the low amplitudes are less than 96 nT. The analytic signal revealed high magnetic susceptibility, which corresponds to the basement regions (Igarra, Okene, Obajana, Itakpe, Ajaokuta, Lokoja) while low amplitude was recorded around the sedimentary terrain. The amplitude of both total magnetic intensity and analytic signal is high around 7°36ˈ53ˈˈN, 6°19ˈ08ˈˈE, which corresponds to the heavily mineralized hill location in Itakpe. First Vertical Derivatives revealed linear structures (faults) labeled F1 – F6 trending NE-SW, cringing near surface features just above Obajana are similar features B1 and B3 below Ajegwu area presumed to be highly weathered basement rocks. The lineament map revealed that NE-SW and NW-SE are the major trend patterns of the anomalies; this anomalous trend is quite apparent in the ternary map.  The results of the spectral analysis show that the depth values vary from 3.3 to 4.3 km in the NE part of the areas with dominant Cretaceous sediment (deep lying magnetic bodies), and the shallower depths are less than 3.3 km and were observed in the NW and parts of the SW. The region with the shallow depth values corresponds to the basement terrain. Generally, the average depth to magnetic basement is about 2.9 km. The comparison of the geological map and the interpretations of the analytic signal and derivatives reveal the magnetite distribution to be along Okene, Obajana, Itakpe, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, and these are mainly within the Precambrian basement region.

Utilizing Remote Sensing Technology to Identify Mineralization Zones involves employing advanced tools and techniques to detect areas rich in mineral deposits. This approach focuses on analyzing surface features and subsurface structures using satellite imagery, geospatial data, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The method enhances exploration efficiency by pinpointing potential sites for mineral extraction, reducing costs and environmental impacts while advancing geological studies and resource management.

In field geology or geological mapping, the primary focus is on outcrops—exposed sections of bedrock that provide direct evidence of the subsurface. Outcrops are not found everywhere; rather, they occur in strategic locations where natural processes such as tectonic uplift, faulting, or extensive erosion have removed overlying materials to reveal the underlying geology.

Drill string sticking remains one of the most critical challenges in drilling and fishin g operations, leading to non-productive time and increased operational costs. Conventional mitigation methods, including optimized mud circulation and mechanical jarring, often show limited effectiveness under complex wellbore conditions. This paper introduces a conceptual design of a PDM-based string vibrator equipped with eccentric masses to generate both axial and torsional vibrations. The tool is installed above the overshot and activated through drilling fluid circulation, creating continuous vibrational forces along the drill string. The operating parameters, such as vibration frequency, amplitude, and fluid flow rate, were analyzed using conceptual and theoretical calculations based on operational experience and tool design features. The results indicate a significant reduction in frictional resistance and improved efficiency in fishing scenarios, highlighting the potential of the tool to minimize stuck pipe incidents. The conceptual design provides a promising foundation for experimental validation and future field applications in extended-reach and horizontal wells .

The Hawley Medal is awarded for the best paper to appear in The Canadian Mineralogist in 2000. The selection this year was, as usual, especially difficult because there were a large number of excellent papers. The Hawley committee, consisting of Penny King, Maya Kopylova and Tony Peterson, had a difficult time selecting among a short list of eight papers. After several e-mail discussions, they reached a consensus. The best paper this year is entitled “Evidence for open-system behavior in immiscible Fe–S–O liquids in silicate magmas: implications for contributions of metals and sulfur to ore-forming fluids”, published in The Canadian Mineralogist, volume 38, pages 1233-1249 (2000). The authors are Adrienne C.L. Larocque, James A. Stimac, Jeffrey D. Keith and Michelle A.E. Huminicki. Two of the authors are in the Philippines, and could not make the journey to St. John’s for this ceremony. Jeff Keith and Michelle Huminicki were present to accept the awards.

Abstract-This paper presents the novel concept of employing the noise insensitive spread-spectrum technique in well logging. The proposed design of a spread-spectrum device improves the performance of well logging tools, particularly within highly noisy environments. The heart of the device is a shift register which generates a pseudorandom binary code sequence. A coder is connected to the transmitter and codes the probing signal by utilizing the pseudorandom sequence. A decoder is connected to the receiver and correlates the return signal to the same sequence, which is used as a sliding reference. Shifts as small as a fraction of a bit are unambiguously resolvable, and distance resolution of the order of micrometers is achievable. Spread-spectrum well logging tools can operate even with coded signal-to-noise ratio below zero-dB. The spreadspectrum device can be interfaced with any available wave transmitting logging tool. However, tools employing

's largest province, is rich in a diverse range of mineral resources, including globally significant deposits of copper and gold. While this immense mineral wealth offers potential for economic growth, its exploitation is complicated by factors such as underdeveloped infrastructure, security risks, and ongoing local grievances regarding equitable resource distribution. Key Minerals include Copper and Gold the province is home to some of the world's

COVID-19 made people around the world in terrifying and appalling circumstance which held back all collaborative stitches that is the government decreed people to stay in homes for suppressing the disease spread amid people. Pandemic situation due to Covid-19 has lead to worldwide lockdown. On the other hand, it has increased the quality of the environment especially in hydrosphere and atmosphere progressively throughout the world. The global shutdown from March to June 2020 made liable in assessing the environmental condition which is eccentric accomplishment when collating with past two decades. This study demonstrates change in the water and aerosol quality with the aid of remote sensing in Ganga River of Varanasi city, Uttar Pradesh state of India. Sentinel data obtained from February to July of 2020 used to determine the variation of pollution levels during different phases of lockdown. NO2 levels derived from Sentinel data shows hazardous level of 5.64x10-5 mol m-2 in March which is progressively decreased to 5.29 x10-5 mol m-2 for the month of April. NO2 level further gradually increased after the unlock 1.0. Similarly, CO levels obtained from Sentinel data shows hazardous level of 0.0517mol m-2 in February which is progressively decreased to 0.0490 mol m-2 for the lockdown periods and it was gradually increased after the unlock phase. Further, Landsat data has been used to show Suspended Particulate Matter and pollution variation between lockdown phases. The high concentration of SPM value for March month ranges from-48.7773 to-48.7812, there is drastic decrease in concentration of SPM in which reflection value ranges from-48.7772 to-48.7806 in month of April noticed in the study area. Again there is drastic increase in July values ranging from-48.7753 to-48.7796 which is very high when compared to the lockdown SPM levels.The present study brought to light significant variations in the pollution level during the lockdown phases.

Accessory minerals are common in igneous rocks of intermediate to felsic composition. Their ability to incorporate a wide range of geochemically important trace elements, as well as their physical-chemical durability and resistance to alteration, makes these ideal minerals for fingerprinting granitoid fertility and tracing magma evolution . In contrast, some studies show that those 'robust' accessory mineral compositions sometimes exhibit signatures that are counter-indicative to their igneous host, particularly regarding regional fertility of granitoids . In this regard, it is of great importance and necessity to address the systematics of accessory mineral geochemistry in the field of granitic petrogenesis and its application in mineral exploration. This Research Topic aims to underscore 1) advances in the understanding of isotopic and trace element signatures in accessory minerals, as they pertain to magmatic evolution in fertile and barren terranes; and 2) textural and petrological factors affecting accessory mineral compositions that may lead to indeterminate classification of plutonic suites and incorrect assessment of magmatic fertility. The Research Topic will provide useful guides on how to successfully apply accessory mineral geochemistry in assessing intrusion-centered magmatic-hydrothermal systems as well as develop some novel geochemical classifiers/tools. The Kalmakyr deposit in Uzbekistan is one of the world's largest gold-rich porphyry Cu deposits, and is characterized by multiple intrusive phases. It is suggested that porphyry Cu mineralization is associated with the latest granodiorite porphyry, but it is still unclear which features of these ore-bearing intrusions are crucial for the enormous metal enrichment and how they correlate with magmatic fertility. Liu et al. address these questions by comparing the petrological and in situ major and trace element geochemistry of apatite for the orebearing and ore-barren intrusions. By comparing their new data with the published dataset from porphyry Cu-Mo and Mo-only deposits in the world, they suggest that the high Cl content and low F/Cl ratio in magmatic apatite might be an important indicator to prospect for gold-rich porphyry Cu deposits.

The Wadi Bidah Mineral District of Saudi Arabia contains more than 16 small outcropping stratabound volcanogenic Cu-Zn-(Pb) ± Au-bearing massive sulphide deposits and associated zones of hydrothermal alteration. Here, we use major and trace element analyses of massive sulphides, gossans, and hydrothermally altered and least altered metamorphosed host rock (schist) from two of the deposits (Shaib al Tair and Rabathan) to interpret the geochemical and petrological evolution of the host rocks and gossanization of the mineralization. Tectonic interpretations utilize high-field-strength elements, including the rare earth elements (REE), because they are relatively immobile during hydrothermal alteration, low-grade metamorphism, and supergene weathering and therefore are useful in constraining the source, composition, and physicochemical parameters of the primary igneous rocks, the mineralizing hydrothermal fluid and subsequent supergene weathering processes. Positive Eu anomalies in some of the massive sulphide samples are consistent with a high temperature (>250°C) hydrothermal origin, consistent with the Cu contents (up to 2 wt.%) of the massive sulphides. The REE profiles of the gossans are topologically similar to nearby hydrothermally altered felsic schists (light REE (LREE)-enriched to concave-up REE profiles, with or without positive Eu anomalies) suggesting that the REE experienced little fractionation during metamorphism or supergene weathering. Hydrothermally altered rocks (now schists) close to the massive sulphide deposits have high base metals and Ba contents and have concave-up REE patterns, in contrast to the least altered host rocks, consistent with greater mobility of the middle REE compared to the light and heavy REE during hydrothermal alteration. The gossans are interpreted to represent relict massive sulphides that have undergone supergene weathering; 'chert' beds within these massive sulphide deposits may be leached wallrock gossans that experienced silicification and Pb-Ba-Fe enrichment from acidic groundwaters generated during gossan formation.

This study combines new field and orbital remote sensing data to determine geologic controls on sulfide mineralization in the Wadi Bidah Mineral District (WBMD) located in the Neoproterozoic (900-550 Ma) Arabian Shield of southwestern Saudi Arabia. The brittle and ductile deformation of these massive sulfide deposits and host rock reflect tectonic events occurring in the Arabian Shield during the Neoproterozoic (900-550 Ma). Remote sensing data were used in conjunction with GIS software (ARCVIEW) to map lithologic units and mineral deposits, analyze and define regional structural trends, and establish geologic controls on sulfide mineralization. Orbital remote sensing data sets include scenes from Landsat 7 and ASTER. The sulfide deposits of the WBMD are found within a group of felsic volcaniclastics. A marble unit within the felsic volcaniclastic group is used as a marker horizon. Based on the distribution of the sulfide deposits relative to the marble unit, all sulfide deposits appear to be stratabound. Deposits have been folded and faulted into their present positions. Structural control of mineralization appears to be limited to post-mineralization folding and shearing.

Mineral exploration of prospective areas concealed by extensive post-mineralization cover is growing, being very complex and expensive. The projection of rich and giant Paleocene to early Oligocene porphyry-Cu-Mo belts in northernmost Chilean Andes (17.5-19.5°S) has major exploration potential, but only a few minor deposits have been reported to date, due to the fact that the area is largely covered by post-mineral strata. We integrate the Cenozoic stratigraphic, structural and metallogenic evolution of this sector, in order to identify the most promising regions related to lesser post-mineral cover and the projection of different metallogenic belts. The Paleocene to early Eocene metallogenic belt extends along the Precordillera, with ca. 30 km wide, and includes porphyry-Cu prospects and small Cu (±Mo-Au-Ag) vein and breccia-pipe deposits. Geochronological data indicate an age of 55.5 Ma for an intrusion related to one deposit and ages from 69.5 to 54.5 Ma for hydrothermal alteration in one porphyry-Cu prospect and largest known Cu deposits. The middle Eocene to early Oligocene porphyry belt, in the Western Cordillera farther east, is associated with 46-44 Ma intrusions. It is estimated to be 40-km wide, but is largely concealed by thick post-mineral cover. The youngest Miocene to early Pliocene metallogenic belt, also in the Western Cordillera, is well-exposed and includes Au-Ag epithermal and polymetallic veins and manto-type deposits. The Oligocene-Holocene cover consists of a succession of continental sedimentary and volcanic rocks that overall increase in thickness from 0 to 5000 m, from west to east. These strata are subhorizontal in the west and folded-faulted towards the east. Miocene gentle anticlines and monocline flexures extend along strike for 30-60 km in the Precordillera and were generated by propagation of high-angle eastdipping blind reverse faults with at least 300-900 m of Oligocene bedrock offset. The thickness of cover exceeds 2000 m in the eastern Central Depression, whereas it is generally less than 1000 m in the Precordillera along the Paleocene to early Eocene porphyry-Cu belt and it can reach locally up to 5000 m in the Western Cordillera, above the middle Eocene to early Oligocene belt. In the studied Andean segment, the Miocene to early Pliocene metallogenic belt is superimposed on the Paleocene to Oligocene belts in a 40-50 km wide zone. This overlap may be explained by an accentuated migration of the magmatic front, from east to west, since ca. 25 Ma, as a consequence of subduction slab steepening after a period of magmatic lull and flat subduction from ca. 30-35 to 25 Ma. The identified areas of lesser cover thickness are prone to exploration for concealed deposits, especially along the projection of major porphyry-Cu-Mo belts.

Natural resource economics deals with the supply,
demand, and allocation of the Earth's natural
resources. One main objective of natural resource
economics is to better understand the role of natural
resources in the economy in order to develop more
sustainable methods of managing those resources to
ensure their availability for future generations.

Karol Bohdanowicz (1864–1947) – director of the Russian and Polish geological surveys (at the 150 th anniversary of his birth). A b s t r a c t. Karol Bohdanowicz was born on December 10, 1864 in Lucyn (Polish Livonia, presently Ludza in Latvia). He studied at theMining Institute in St. Petersburg (1881–1886) gaining the diploma of mining engineer. In 1885, during student’s field work, he took part in the Urals expedition lead by F. N. Tchernyshev. In the period 1886–1901, Bohdanowicz was employed at the Department of Mining in St. Petersburg and since January 1901 as a geologist in the Geological Committee. In the years 1886–1888, he carried out geological and hydrogeological investigations at the Russian-Persian border. During next two years, he participated in an expedition to Tibet lead by M. V. Pievcov. He studied tectonics of Tian Shan and Kunlun Mts., precious stones and gold deposits at that time. In the period 1892–1894, Bohdanowicz carried out geological and hydrogeologica...

The research during the first year of the project was focused on developing the foundations of a new geophysical technique for mineral exploration and mineral discrimination, based on electromagnetic (EM) methods. The proposed new technique is based on examining the spectral induced polarization effects in electromagnetic data using modern distributed acquisition systems and advanced methods of 3-D inversion. The analysis of IP phenomena is usually based on models with frequency dependent complex conductivity distribution. One of the most popular is the Cole-Cole relaxation model. In this progress report we have constructed and analyzed a different physical and mathematical model of the IP effect based on the effective-medium theory. We have developed a rigorous mathematical model of multi-phase conductive media, which can provide a quantitative tool for evaluation of the type of mineralization, using the conductivity relaxation model parameters. The parameters of the new conductivity relaxation model can be used for discrimination of the different types of rock formations, which is an important goal in mineral exploration. The solution of this problem requires development of an effective numerical method for EM forward modeling in 3-D inhomogeneous media. During the first year of the project we have developed a prototype 3-D IP modeling algorithm using the integral equation (IP) method. Our IE forward modeling code IN-TEM3DIP is based on the contraction IE method, which improves the convergence rate of the iterative solvers. This code can handle various types of sources and receivers to compute the effect of a complex resistivity model. We have tested the working version of the INTEM3DIP code for computer simulation of the IP data for several models including a southwest US porphyry model and a Kambalda-style nickel sulfide deposit. The numerical modeling study clearly demonstrates how the various complex resistivity models manifest differently in the observed EM data. These modeling studies lay a background for future development of the IP inversion method, directed at determining the electrical conductivity and the intrinsic chargeability distributions, as well as the other parameters of the relaxation model simultaneously. The new technology envisioned in this proposal, will be used for the discrimination of different rocks, and in this way will provide an ability to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and the location of zones of economic mineralization and geothermal resources.

Establishing a new site for mining operation is required to find and develop a new source of minerals with precise characteristics such as location, depth, quality and thickness. Mineral exploration is a sequential process of informationgathering that assesses the mineral potential of given area. It starts with an idea of geologic model that identifies lands worthy of further exploration, and it’s the one of risky and costly investments for companies. In this paper, a new method for choosing a scientific map of exploration using neural network was introduced rather than an arbitrary map. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Self Organization Map (SOM) algorithm in visual exploration of physical geographic data. The SOM is one of the most popular neural network models, which provides a data visualizationtechnique which helps to understand high dimensional data by reducing the dimensions of data to maps. In the present paper, the algorithm is based on unsupe...

This report examines violations of labour and environmental law by Bonsucro-certified sugarcane mills in São Paulo, Brazil. Bonsucro was created to ensure sustainable sugarcane production through compliance with social, environmental, and legal standards. However, the report shows that certification has not guaranteed legal compliance.
Using data from the Public Ministry of Labour (MPT-SP), the Environmental Department of São Paulo (CETESB), and the São Paulo Court of Justice (TJ-SP), the authors found that 18 of the 31 certified mills in São Paulo faced legal actions after certification. Violations included forced labour, labour trafficking, poor working conditions, fraudulent outsourcing, discrimination, and breaches of environmental regulations such as illegal cane burning, deforestation of protected areas, and water pollution. Some mills were fined millions of reais, while others signed Conduct Adjustment Agreements (TACs), effectively admitting wrongdoing.
The report argues that Bonsucro’s auditing process fails to adequately integrate public authorities, limiting its ability to detect and address non-compliance. It recommends that Bonsucro develop clearer strategies for dealing with legal violations among certified members and strengthen collaboration with regulators. While mills often contest or downplay violations, the report stresses that these breaches carry real human and environmental consequences.
We conclude that although progress has been made in curbing extreme abuses like forced labour, systemic issues persist. We suggest moving beyond isolated audits towards “jurisdictional certification,” integrating certification schemes with local governance and regulatory systems. This, we argue, would improve accountability and ensure that sustainability standards genuinely protect workers’ rights and the environment.

Ekwueme federal university Ndufu-Alike Ikwo Gossans, the weathered and oxidized remnants of sulfide-rich ore bodies, are among the most important natural indicators in mineral exploration. These ferruginous caps, often associated with supergene enrichment zones, provide valuable clues to the type, location, and economic potential of underlying mineralization. This article reviews the geological characteristics of gossans, their significance as exploration guides, color and texture indicators for ore types, and their integration with modern geochemical, geophysical, and remote sensing techniques. Case studies from Canada, Australia, and Turkey demonstrate the enduring importance of gossan analysis in identifying economically significant ore deposits, while also highlighting its role in planetary geology as an analogue for Martian surficial process.-Key words: (deposits, enrichment zones, supergene).

An innovative approach has been developed to predict prospective areas for the exploration of rollfront uranium deposits. This method is based on the infiltration model of ore formation and incorporates the advanced exploration practices of roll-front uranium deposits in Kazakhstan, compared with global experience. The approach employs publicly available satellite Earth observation data alongside global geological datasets. Applying this methodology has allowed the identification of prospective areas for roll-front uranium ore exploration and provided a brief characterization of the most significant ones. Special attention is given to large depressions conducive to infiltration conditions, ranging from regions of atmospheric water recharge in arid and semi-arid climates to sedimentary areas under reverse climatic conditions with favorable environments for the formation of reductive geochemical zones. These zones are characterized by active sulfatereduction processes mediated by microorganisms and the generation of hydrogen sulfide fluids.

A hydrostratigraphical approach to support environmentally safe siting of a mining waste facility at Rautuvaara, Finland Based on the construction of a detailed sedimentological model, hydrostratigraphy and local groundwater/surface water flows, this paper analyses the Niesajoki river valley as a suitable area for the expansion of a tailings facility, associated with the nearby Hannukainen (Cu, Au, Fe) mine, Finnish Lapland. Three different glacial/interglacial cycles were identified from the sedimentary observations and, optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) datings showed them to be of Early to Late Weichselian in age. Two groups of hydro-stratigraphical units were identified from hydraulic conductivities. The first, fluvial deposits, lie in the centre of the valley along the valley axis, and are the main aquifers. The second, till group, with lower conductivities, are located on the flanks of the valley. The thickness and complexity of sediments varied across the study area. To the E/SE of the valley, sediments are thick (~40 m), and more complex., In contrast the S/W/NW of the area, sediments are thinner (~10 m) and more simple. Groundwater is found to flow towards the centre of the valley and along its axis, where a bedrock controlled divide forms two groundwater basins. Based on the results of this research, it is suggested that any future expansion of the tailings facility should be restricted to the western and southern side of the valley, where waters are more manageable.

he field mapping and geological examination of Nyanya-Keffi was conducted on the 19 th of July, 2025. The major objective of this investigation was done to carryout field mapping, for rock identification, and to prove that the precambrian basement rocks of Abuja area were produced through dynamo-thermal metamorphism, have a general NE-SW trend as observed in various literatures on the area. We also examined the sedimentary and overburden rocks in this are to prove that these materials have their origin from the intra-cratonic Bida basin and generally have Cretaceous to recent age. Various structural measurement like dip and strike were observed at various outcrops and the features like schistocity, bedding, folliation, ptgmatic folds, crenulations, were also observed.

Over the last two decades, Mineral Resources Tasmania has been developing regional 3D geological and geophysical models for prospective terranes at a range of scales and extents as part of its suite of precompetitive geoscience products. These have evolved in conjunction with developments in 3D modeling technology over that time. Commencing with a jurisdiction-wide 3D model in 2002, subsequent modeling projects have explored a range of approaches to the development of 3D models as a vehicle for the better synthesis and understanding of controls on ore-forming processes and prospectivity. These models are built on high-quality potential field data sets. Assignment of bulk properties derived from previous well-constrained geophysical modeling and an extensive rock property database has enabled the identification of anomalous features that have been targeted for follow-up mineral exploration. An aspect of this effort has been the generation of uncertainty estimates for model features. ...