EXPLORATION OF MINERAL DEPOSIT

AREA SELECTION Area selection is the most crucial part of mineral exploration. Selecting the most suitable area, geological field and terrain will assist in making the exploration easy, cheap and quick. Iron ore deposit. This is an example of a suitable area for exploration.

DEFINITION Mineral exploration is the process of finding ore to mine. It is an intensive, organized and professional form of mineral prospecting. An exploration drill.

EXPLORATION METHODS: GEOPHYSICS Geophysics uses physical methods to measure the surface properties of the Earth. Examples include geodesy, magnetic and electrical techniques.

EXPLORATION METHODS: REMOTE SENSING This term generally refers to the use of aerial sensor technologies to detect and classify objects on Earth. Today, satellites are widely used to take snapshots of the area around the deposit in question.

EXPLORATION METHODS: GEOCHEMICAL METHODS In mining exploration, geochemistry is used to identify the anomaly that is found within the area of the mineral deposit. Two computer generated views of Agnico eagle’s Suurinkuusiku gold mining project showing both surface and underground mining.

RISK The prices of minerals and exchange rates are constantly changing Poor access to exploration areas as a result of remoteness or difficult terrain Poor weather conditions over a prolonged period which might negatively affect exploration activities and the timing of earning revenues

GREENFIELDS AND BROWNFIELDS The area in a mining exploration is being coducted is termed either a greenfield or a brownfield. A greenfield generally means an unspoilt area. A brownfield is an area that was already drilled or explored upon. It is almost always located nearby a known ore deposit.

EXTRACTION The ultimate goal of mineral exploration is the extraction, and profitable sale of minerals.

NEW WORDS Prospect- search for mineral deposits Intensive- very thorough Crucial- of great importance Suitable- right for a particular purpose Field- an area of open land Terrain- a stretch of land seen in terms of it is physical features: rough terrain Assist- support to something

Method- a way of doing something Measure- find out the size of something be comparing it with a standard Include- contain something as part of a whole Aerial- existing in the air Refer- describe something Satellite- an artificial object placed in orbit round the earth Snapshot- an informal photograph Prolonged- continuing for long time Infrastructure- the basic structures needed for a society to function

Anomaly- something that differs from what is normal Due- needing to be paid Uncertainty- not reliable