Mineral Exploration and Processing
Mineral exploration refers to the process of locating ores/minerals to mine. The process is well organized, exhaustive and proficient. The prior objective for exploration along the surface and interior is the need to know/ learn about the nature and environment on earth as well as the economic gain. Due to mineral processing and exploration, many people’s standards of living have improved because of the recurrent demand for fuel, oil, water and other substance. Many people and companies have taken part in surface and subsurface investigative projects with a purpose of discovering;
- Oil, coal beds and gas accumulations.
- Recuperated groundwater.
- Deposits of nom-metallic minerals (building materials – sand, gravel, etc.)
- Concentrations of commercially important metallic minerals (ores of iron, copper, and uranium)
- Archaeological features.
- Different rock types at diverse depths for engineering planning)
- Geothermal reserves
METHODS WE USE
The methods we use are divided into geological, geochemical and drilling methods. Below are some of the methods and how they are applied i.e surface and sub surface.
- Geological Mapping (regional and large-scale)- Along surface and underground sometimes.
- Remote sensing and air-photo interpretation-Surface
- Geophysical methods-Surface
- Gravity- Surface
- Magnetic- both surface and sub surface
- Electrical and Electromagnetic- surface and sub surface
- Seismic- Surface and sub surface
- Radiometric- Surface and subsurface
- Geochemical- Surface and subsurface
- Drilling- Subsurface
Geological Methods
Geological methods basically focus on the identification of various rocks and minerals with a clear insight of the environment in which they are located.These assessments are done to find out what type of rocks are located at the top or near the surface and how they are similar to each other in terms of boundaries, ages and structure. Geological surveys are done applying a number of methods as according to the location, size of the region and amount of information needed.
Geochemical Methods
Geochemical methods require measurement of the rock’s chemistry as well as the soil, stream sediments/ plants to verify anomalous patterns that could aim to areas of mineralization. In instances where a mineral deposit forms, the concentration of ore “metals” and various elements around is typically higher than normal and these prototypes are primarily referred to as chemical halos. When mineral deposits are rendered along the surface processes like erosion, weathering, etc these become further supplied in the soil, ground water, plants/stream sediments hence referred to as a second chemical halo which occupies a larger area hence making a chemical survey got from this sample be greater than that of a primary chemical halo.
Drilling
Drilling is applied so as to get more detailed information/ data about mineral content, rock fabric, rock types, and the similarities between the various rock layers near the surface of the earth and at the depth. This process is carried out in locations chosen as target points after using geological, geophysical/geochemical methods. We do Diamond core drilling which requires a pipe to be covered in industrial diamonds and is used to drill within various rock layers with a “core” of rock placed in the centre of the pipe. This core is recuperated providing information about the rock types as well as the relationships between the rock layers.
We also use modern exploration techniques during exploration of hard minerals which include extensive Aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys.Aeromagnetic surveys refer to geophysical surveys conducted using a magnetometer hauled behind a plane just like the usual magnetic survey of using the hand-held magnetometer which conceals the vast areas along the earth’s surface for regional inspection. The plane normally flies over the area in a grid-like pattern with enough height and line spacing so as to determine the decree of the statistics where as Radiometric surveys refer to geophysical surveys that are applied to identify and map gamma rays (natural radioactive emanations from fabrics within rocks). These come from the natural decay products of potassium, uranium, or thorium.
We have good experienced experts that have worked with a number of local exploration companies in Uganda and these will give you guidelines and information on how to explore and process minerals effectively.