Thunder Bay CIM

June 2008

Steve Beresfordnewgenco

Role of predictive science in Ni-Cu-(PGE) exploration:

A mineral systems approach

Introduction

Predictive models and industry perceptionsDealing with technical uncertainityUnderstanding the continuum of magmatic depositsMineral systems approachMythsPredictive models and use in exploration

First mover exposed plays are decreasing: Voisey’s Bay

$

Have we learnt the lesson from the recent discoveries?

Search space is deepening putting increasing importance on predictive explorationHowever the majority of industry is not comfortable with predictive science and majority of academia are focussed on non spatial science why?There has never been such a huge discrepancy between research and industry in ideas and focuseg over 600 papers on komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu deposits and only 2 papers on komatiite Ni camps

LOWBROAD REGIONAL

PREDICTION

Research has maximum benefit at the predictive scale

HIGH

PROSPECT SCALE

SCALE

REL

ATIV

EEF

FEC

TIVE

NES

S

DETECTION

Hronsky 2007

First step is a psychological one“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible”

Lord Kelvin 1895

“I think there is a world market for about 5 computers”

Watson IBM chairman 1947

Managing technical uncertainityGet in touch with the psychological aspects of our science. If you think this is airy fairy then that illustrates the problem. The future:• Understand the technical risks• Range analysis• Image predictive concepts• Teams ”wisdom of the crowd”

Understand the Continuum of Ni-Cu-PGE deposits

MgO

* Proterozoic

Targeting

Ni:Cu

Pd:Ir

Mapping

MgO

32% 7%

Magnetics Gravity

Kabanga

Pechenga

Raglan

Perseverance

KambaldaMt Keith

Voisey’s Bay Tati

Nebo-Babel

Noril’sk

Jinchuan

Kabanga

Pechenga

Raglan

Perseverance

Kambalda

Mt Keith

Voisey’s Bay

Tati

Nebo-Babel

Noril’skJinchuan

Electrical

Genetic model

Valmaggia

PechengaRaglan

Perseverance

Kambalda

Mt Keith

Voisey’s Bay

Nebo-Babel

Noril’skJinchuan

Depth of emplacement

Sally Malay

Base of LC

Surface

Valmaggia

Pechenga

Raglan

Perseverance

Kambalda

Mt KeithVoisey’s Bay

Nebo-BabelNoril’sk

Jinchuan

S source

Mantle Crustal

Pechenga

Raglan

Perseverance

Kambalda

Mt Keith

Voisey’s Bay

Noril’sk

Jinchuan

Sulfide trap

Basalembayment

Dilationalsite Munali

Kalatongke

Deposit model versus Mineral System approaches

Deposit models – based on finding geological characteristics interpreted to be favourable for mineralisation in known deposits• E.g. Differentiated dolerite in YilgarnMineral Systems – based on finding evidence for interpreted critical mineralising processes• E.g. Olympic Dam

Key idea

Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits form part of a lithospheric scale magmatic

system

Do we understand the entire system?

GLOBAL - SCALE GEODYNAMIC SETTING

PROVINCE/SUB-PROVINCE-SCALETECTONIC SETTING

DISTRICT –SCALESETTING

OREDEPOSITSETTING

From the bottom up

Hronsky