SEG 45 Final_qx4 - Society of Economic Geologists
SEG 45 Final_qx4 - Society of Economic Geologists
SEG 45 Final_qx4 - Society of Economic Geologists
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Celebrating a Century <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology 1905-2005<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> www.segweb.org<br />
OCTOBER 2005 NUMBER 63<br />
The Founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
Brian J. Skinner (<strong>SEG</strong> 1960 SF)<br />
Part 4<br />
These three brief biographies bring to<br />
a close the vignettes <strong>of</strong> the 12 men<br />
who played key roles in the founding<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology a century ago.<br />
These final three, Spurr, Lindgren,<br />
and Ransome, like their founding<br />
colleagues, were very interesting<br />
people—interesting because they<br />
were major forces in the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> economic geology as a field, and<br />
also because they led varied and<br />
interesting lives.<br />
Josiah Edward Spurr,<br />
1870–1950<br />
In a brief biography<br />
for F.L. Ransome, published<br />
in volume 30 <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology,<br />
Waldemar Lindgren<br />
wrote that Spurr was<br />
the man who first suggested<br />
the need for a<br />
journal devoted to<br />
mineral deposits. The<br />
suggestion was made in November or<br />
December 1904. The first issue <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology appeared in October 1905. When<br />
it was decided that the new journal would<br />
be most appropriately published by an<br />
incorporated company rather than a<br />
newly founded scientific society, Spurr<br />
was elected first President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology Publishing Company.<br />
Born in Maine, educated at Harvard—<br />
where he was strongly influenced by<br />
NEWSLETTER<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor N.S. Shaler—Spurr went to<br />
work for the Minnesota Geological<br />
Survey and made the first geological<br />
map <strong>of</strong> the Mesabi Range. In 1894 he<br />
was hired by the U.S.Geological Survey<br />
and worked with S.F. Emmons at<br />
Leadville, Colorado, then at Mercur in<br />
Utah, and Aspen, Colorado. His Aspen<br />
work is published in USGS Monograph<br />
31. Assigned to mapping in Alaska during<br />
the years <strong>of</strong> the Yukon gold rush,<br />
Spurr is honored by the naming <strong>of</strong> Mt.<br />
Spurr, an active volcano, after him.<br />
There is a story in the Spurr family that<br />
when Mt. Spurr, which is not far from<br />
Anchorage, erupted about a year after<br />
his death, a reporter asked his wife if<br />
she thought her husband was trying to<br />
contact her? To which she replied “Well,<br />
I knew that Edward had passed on to<br />
another world, but until today I had not<br />
realized which one.”<br />
Spurr left the U.S. Geological Survey<br />
in 1906 to work for the American<br />
Smelting and Refining Company, and<br />
then in 1908 he moved full time to consulting,<br />
in which role he was much<br />
acclaimed. He was less acclaimed for<br />
his theorizing on the nature <strong>of</strong> the oreforming<br />
medium. He dispensed with<br />
hydrothermal solutions and argued<br />
instead for ore-magmas, which he envisioned<br />
as highly concentrated and<br />
dense magmatic residues. His twovolume<br />
work detailing his ideas, Ore<br />
Magmas; a Series <strong>of</strong> Essays on Ore Deposition,<br />
was published in 1923 by the McGraw-<br />
Hill Company. Despite skepticism for<br />
his ideas about ore magmas, Spurr was<br />
admired as an outstanding field<br />
observer. In his examination <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Velardeña district, Durango, Mexico, he<br />
observed minerals formed by contact<br />
metamorphism that he could not identify,<br />
and thought might be new.<br />
Examination <strong>of</strong> the minerals by F.E.<br />
Wright <strong>of</strong> the Geophysical Laboratory<br />
showed that two were new; one,<br />
Ca5(SiO4)2(CO3), was named spurrite.<br />
Ever active and ever enquiring, in<br />
1937 Spurr became interested in the<br />
geology <strong>of</strong> the moon. Eventually, in the<br />
years 1944 to 1949, he<br />
to page<br />
published four books on 4 ...<br />
Josiah, better known as J. Edward Spurr,<br />
stands in the middle, flanked by Frank C.<br />
Schrader (left) and Harold B. Goodrich. The<br />
October 1896 image shows the three<br />
dressed in field gear.<br />
Photo Source: USGS Photo Library
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OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 3<br />
<strong>SEG</strong><br />
NEWSLETTER<br />
Nº 63—OCTOBER 2005<br />
EXECUTIVE EDITOR<br />
Brian G. Hoal<br />
NEWS EDITOR<br />
Alice Bouley<br />
PRODUCTION MANAGER<br />
Christine Horrigan<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>, Inc.<br />
7811 Shaffer Parkway<br />
Littleton, CO 80127 USA<br />
Tel. +1.720.981.7882<br />
Fax +1.720.981.7874<br />
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The <strong>SEG</strong> Newsletter is published quarterly in<br />
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exclusively for members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong>.<br />
Opinions expressed herein are those <strong>of</strong> the writers<br />
and do not necessarily represent <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
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DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER #64:<br />
November 30, 2005<br />
Contents<br />
FEATURE ARTICLE<br />
5 Exploring For Deposits Under Deep Cover Using Geochemistry<br />
NEWSLETTER COLUMNS<br />
1 The Founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology, Part 4<br />
6 From the Executive Editor<br />
7 Presidential Perspective: <strong>Economic</strong> Geology — Science or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession?<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS<br />
16 <strong>SEG</strong> Thayer Lindsley Lecture Tour – 2004<br />
17 Mentoring: Regina Baumgartner, Student Member: An Interview<br />
18 <strong>SEG</strong> Student Chapter News<br />
19 $130,000 Available for Student Research Grants in 2006<br />
20 <strong>SEG</strong> Forum on Gold Deposits: Part II<br />
28 <strong>SEG</strong> Student Chapter Conference<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
21–Africa · 23–Alaska · 29–Asia · 32–Australasia · 34–Europe ·<br />
37–South America · 40–Western Canada · 41–Western United States<br />
MEMBERSHIP<br />
43 <strong>SEG</strong> Membership: Candidates and New Fellows, Members and Student Members<br />
<strong>45</strong> Personal Notes & News<br />
46 2006 Dues Notice<br />
47 Explanation <strong>of</strong> Member Benefits for 2006<br />
ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />
2 <strong>Economic</strong> Geology Archive<br />
6 Corrections and Amplifications<br />
44 Northwest Mining 111th Annual Meeting<br />
44 VIII Congreso Argentino de Geología Económica<br />
44 Feria Internacional Minera 2005 – Medellín, Colombia<br />
25-28 <strong>SEG</strong> 2006 Conference: Wealth Creation in the Minerals Industry<br />
51 <strong>Economic</strong> Geology 100th Anniversary Volume (inside back cover)<br />
52 <strong>SEG</strong> Contact Information (back cover)<br />
PUBLICATIONS<br />
48-49 Publications Order Form<br />
CALENDAR<br />
50 Calendar<br />
ADVERTISERS—<br />
2 Actlabs, Ltd. (inside front cover)<br />
14 Anzman, Joseph R.<br />
24 Balbach Colorado, Inc.<br />
14 Big Sky Geophysics<br />
50 DeRuyter, Vernon<br />
22 Geocon, Inc.<br />
8 IMDEX Inc.<br />
50 Kuhn, Paul W.<br />
30 Laravie, Joseph A.<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> 2006 DUES RENEWAL<br />
AND MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS<br />
(See pages 46–47)<br />
38 Laurentian University<br />
33 LTL Petrographics<br />
22 Lufkin, John L., Ph.,D.<br />
24 McKelvey, G.E.<br />
33 Mining Activity Update<br />
2 PANalytical (inside front cover)<br />
36 Petrographic Consultants Intl.<br />
15 Phelps Dodge<br />
34 Recursos del Caribe S.A.<br />
36 Resource Geosciences de Mexico<br />
52 RockWare (back cover)<br />
34 Shea Clark Smith<br />
30 Sheahan-MDRU Literature Service<br />
30 Sinclair Knight Merz<br />
38 Spectral International, Inc.<br />
6 Yerington, NV Course<br />
15 Zonge Engineering & Research
4 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from the Cover<br />
the subject. In a memorial, published in<br />
the Proceedings <strong>of</strong> the GSA for 1968,<br />
Jack Green writes <strong>of</strong> Spurr’s original<br />
ideas about the moon. “…behind every<br />
sketch was 50 years <strong>of</strong> field training.<br />
Behind every analogue were decades <strong>of</strong><br />
mapping and observation.” Spurr’s<br />
work has been recognized by the naming<br />
<strong>of</strong> a lunar feature after him. At<br />
Lunar latitude 27.9 N and longitude 1.2<br />
W, adjacent to the landing site <strong>of</strong><br />
Apollo 15, is Spurr crater, 13 km in<br />
diameter and partially covered by lava.<br />
Spurr is credited with the suggestions<br />
that led to the founding <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> in 1920, and was<br />
<strong>Society</strong> President in 1923. His Presidential<br />
Address on “The Origin <strong>of</strong><br />
Metallic Concentrations by Magmation”<br />
is published on pages 617 to 638 <strong>of</strong><br />
Volume 18 <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology.<br />
Frederick Leslie Ransome,<br />
1868–1935<br />
The first Secretary to<br />
the Board <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
Publishing Company,<br />
and for 30 years, to the<br />
day <strong>of</strong> his death, an<br />
Associate Editor,<br />
Ransome was a<br />
devoted and hardworking<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the small group <strong>of</strong><br />
people who founded and nurtured<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology to the stature it has<br />
attained.<br />
Born in England but brought to the<br />
United States in infancy, Ransome grew<br />
up in California, where his father was a<br />
concrete pioneer, building the first concrete<br />
building and first concrete bridge<br />
in America. When Ransome entered the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> California, Berkeley, there<br />
seemed little chance he would become a<br />
geologist. But in 1890, Andrew C.<br />
Lawson, fresh from his PhD at Johns<br />
Hopkins, arrived and fired Ransome’s<br />
ambitions. Ransome graduated in 1893<br />
and stayed on to complete a PhD in<br />
1896. During that time he and Charles<br />
Palache worked on a mineral they discovered<br />
in the glaucophane schists <strong>of</strong><br />
Marin County—it turned out to be new<br />
and they named it lawsonite.<br />
Ransome joined the U.S. Geological<br />
Survey in 1898 and was assigned to<br />
California, where he worked on the<br />
Mother Lode—the results appeared in<br />
The Founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology (Continued)<br />
1900 in USGS Atlas folio number 63.<br />
From there he moved to Arizona, where<br />
be studied Globe and Bisbee, published<br />
in Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Papers 12 and 21,<br />
respectively. In 1904 he began a collaborative<br />
study with Lindgren <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cripple Creek district, the result <strong>of</strong><br />
which is one <strong>of</strong> the classics <strong>of</strong> American<br />
geology, Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Paper 54. When<br />
Ransome joined the Survey he worked<br />
under the supervision <strong>of</strong> S.F. Emmons;<br />
following Emmons death in 1911,<br />
Lindgren succeeded as chief <strong>of</strong> the metals<br />
division. Then, when Lindgren<br />
became Chief Geologist in 1912,<br />
Ransome became head <strong>of</strong> metals, a<br />
position he held until he left the Survey<br />
in 1923 and moved to the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Arizona in Tucson as pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> economic<br />
geology. Four years later he<br />
moved again when he was appointed to<br />
a similar position at California Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Technology in Pasadena, California.<br />
Ransome was President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> in 1927. His<br />
Presidential address on “Directions <strong>of</strong><br />
Progress in <strong>Economic</strong> Geology” can be<br />
read in volume 23 <strong>of</strong> the journal, pages<br />
119 to 131.<br />
Waldemar Lindgren,<br />
1860–1939<br />
Lindgren is probably<br />
the most familiar<br />
name among the<br />
founders <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology. It is familiar<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the breadth<br />
and depth <strong>of</strong> his writings<br />
and because <strong>of</strong><br />
his impact on the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> economic geology as a<br />
field <strong>of</strong> study and scientific investigation.<br />
Born in the southeast corner <strong>of</strong><br />
Sweden, near Kalmar, Lindgren was<br />
raised in a well-to-do and aristocratic<br />
family. Much attention was paid to his<br />
education and he developed a fluency<br />
in several modern languages—training<br />
that served him well in later life, even<br />
though his interests were more with science<br />
than languages. A brief working<br />
experience at the zinc mines at Ämmeberg<br />
at the end <strong>of</strong> high school convinced<br />
him that geology was his calling,<br />
and he entered the Bergakademie<br />
at Freiberg, Saxony, in 1878. A brief discussion<br />
<strong>of</strong> his training at this famous<br />
Photo Source: Library <strong>of</strong> Congress, Washington, DC<br />
old school was published in <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Newsletter number 43, October 2000,<br />
pages 30 to 32.<br />
After graduation as a mining engineer<br />
and surveyor and a further year<br />
spent studying chemistry and petrography,<br />
Lindgren sailed to United States<br />
and landed a job working under the<br />
direction <strong>of</strong> Raphael Pumpelly on the<br />
Northern Transcontinental Survey. On<br />
completion <strong>of</strong> the survey at the end <strong>of</strong><br />
1883, he worked as an assayer in<br />
Montana, then on smelter design at<br />
Anaconda. At the end <strong>of</strong> 1884, on the<br />
recommendation <strong>of</strong> Pumpelly, he joined<br />
the U.S. Geological Survey as a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the staff <strong>of</strong> George F. Becker. He<br />
remained with the Survey for 31 years,<br />
rising to Chief Geologist in 1911.<br />
During his Survey years, Lindgren was<br />
author or co-author <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong><br />
classic papers and monographs. Among<br />
the classics is the first detailed study <strong>of</strong> a<br />
disseminated, or porphyry copper at<br />
Clifton-Morenci in Arizona, published<br />
in USGS Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Paper 43 in 1905,<br />
and in 1906, with F.L. Ransome, the<br />
Cripple Creek, Colorado Pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
Paper 54.<br />
Lindgren was appointed pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
economic geology at the Massachusetts<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Technology in 1912, in<br />
which position he remained until his<br />
retirement in 1933. The work for which<br />
Lindgren is best known was published<br />
soon after he arrived at MIT, his classic<br />
text Mineral Deposits. The text ran<br />
through four editions, the last in 1933,<br />
and was the standard against which all<br />
other texts in economic geology were<br />
measured for the first half <strong>of</strong> the 20 th<br />
century. Lindgren’s thoughts and ideas<br />
continue to pervade the literature <strong>of</strong><br />
economic geology today.<br />
Lindgren was a founding member<br />
<strong>of</strong> both the <strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
Publishing Company and the <strong>Society</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>. He was second<br />
President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong>, in 1922. His<br />
Presidential address on “Concentration<br />
and Circulation <strong>of</strong> the Elements from<br />
the Standpoint <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology”<br />
can be read in volume 18 <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology, pages 419 to 442. The paper<br />
is an attempt to trace the geochemical<br />
cycling <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> chemical<br />
elements, and is a fascinating insight<br />
into the thoughts <strong>of</strong> a seminal<br />
scientist. 1
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 5<br />
Exploring For Deposits Under<br />
Deep Cover Using Geochemistry<br />
Eion M. Cameron †, Eion Cameron Geochemical Inc., Carp, Ontario K0A 1L0, Canada, Matthew I. Leybourne, Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Geosciences, University <strong>of</strong> Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas 75083-0688, USA, and David L. Kelley (<strong>SEG</strong> 1990 F) Newmont<br />
Technical Facility, 10101 E. Dry Creek Rd., Englewood, Colorado 80112<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
In a recent article in the <strong>SEG</strong> Newsletter, Roy Woodall drew attention to the challenge<br />
<strong>of</strong> finding ore deposits under deep cover. He highlighted the importance <strong>of</strong><br />
structure: “…recognition <strong>of</strong> pathways for magma and fluid transport is highly relevant<br />
for effective ore search under deep cover. Structures not only focus the transport<br />
<strong>of</strong> ore metals and the ubiquitous carbon and sulfur, they also focus energy,<br />
which is the most critical and <strong>of</strong>ten forgotten essential component for the genesis<br />
<strong>of</strong> a major ore deposit” (Woodall, 2005).<br />
Over the period 1999 to 2002, the Canadian Mining Industry Research<br />
Organization (CAMIRO), supported by 26 companies, sponsored the project<br />
“Deep-Penetrating Geochemistry” to provide the mining industry with knowledge<br />
about processes that may form anomalies at surface over buried deposits, and to<br />
provide comparative data on methods used to detect these anomalies. The study<br />
areas were the porphyry belt <strong>of</strong> northern Chile, the Carlin belt <strong>of</strong> Nevada, and the<br />
Abitibi belt <strong>of</strong> Ontario. In Chile and Nevada, both seismically active regions, the<br />
work demonstrated the importance <strong>of</strong> structure and recent tectonism in the formation<br />
<strong>of</strong> anomalies, bearing out Woodall’s remarks. Here we discuss the influence <strong>of</strong><br />
structure on surface anomalies at the Mike gold-copper deposit, Nevada, and at<br />
the Spence copper deposit, Chile—work that is described in more detail by<br />
Cameron et al. (2004), and Cameron and Leybourne (2005).<br />
<strong>45</strong>18000N<br />
† Corresponding author: e-mail, eioncam@attglobal.net<br />
300 m<br />
Soap Creek Fault Zone<br />
563000E 564000E<br />
High-Grade Cu<br />
D-Day Fault<br />
A<br />
Hillside Fault<br />
WEST<br />
MIKE<br />
Lower-Grade Cu<br />
B<br />
Soil Sampling<br />
Line<br />
Roberts Mountain Thrust<br />
MAIN<br />
MIKE<br />
Good Hope<br />
Fault<br />
1a 1b<br />
Nebulous Fault Zone<br />
N-P Dog Fault<br />
C<br />
<strong>45</strong>18000N<br />
300 m<br />
Soil Sampling Line<br />
563000E<br />
28 o<br />
A<br />
MIKE DEPOSIT<br />
The Mike deposit, hosted by sedimentary<br />
rocks <strong>of</strong> Paleozoic age, was discovered<br />
by Newmont in 1989 while drilling<br />
on structural trends northwest from the<br />
previously discovered Tusc and Gold<br />
Quarry deposits into an area with a<br />
thick cover <strong>of</strong> Carlin Formation rocks.<br />
The first comprehensive account <strong>of</strong> the<br />
geology <strong>of</strong> the deposit was by Teal and<br />
Branham (1997). The Good Hope fault<br />
is the boundary between two portions <strong>of</strong><br />
the Mike deposit (Fig. 1a): the Main<br />
Mike, with a geological resource estimate<br />
<strong>of</strong> 43.2 Mt at 1.17 g/t Au and 76<br />
Mt at 0.22% Cu, and the West Mike,<br />
with an estimated 110 Mt at 0.86 Au<br />
and 74 Mt at 0.28% Cu (Teal and<br />
Branham, 1997). At Main Mike, copper<br />
mineralization consists<br />
<strong>of</strong> a subhorizontal<br />
to page<br />
supergene oxide and 9 ...<br />
B<br />
564000E<br />
FIGURE 1. The Mike deposit. (1a) Basement (Paleozoic) geology with solid lines showing faults and outlines <strong>of</strong> the copper zones. This is mainly<br />
derived from maps by Newmont Inc. with additional faults (D-Day, Hillside, Nebulous, and North-Pointing Dog) from Norby and Orobona<br />
(2002). (1b) Surface topography, with contours in 25 ft intervals. Based on the topographic features, three faults, A, B, and C, were interpreted<br />
by Cameron and Doherty (2001) to cut the Carlin Formation, which covers the deposit. These interpreted faults are also shown in Figure 1a,<br />
which shows that they lie close to and parallel with faults mapped in the basement by Norby and Orobona (2002): fault B with the Nebulous<br />
fault zone, fault C with the North-Pointing Dog fault. These pairs are interpreted to be the same faults, the <strong>of</strong>fsets between their positions at the<br />
surface and in the basement being due to a westerly dip. The topographic feature marking fault A may be the surface expression <strong>of</strong> the<br />
westerly dipping D-Day fault, or a down-faulted block between the D-Day and Hillside faults. Eastings and northings in meters.<br />
C
6 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
FROM THE EXECUTIVE EDITOR<br />
This is the final issue <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Newsletter that celebrates the centenary<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology, our preeminent<br />
publication. The <strong>Economic</strong> Geology One<br />
Hundredth Anniversary Volume incorporates<br />
1,146 pages that capture the state<br />
<strong>of</strong> our science from the collective perspectives<br />
<strong>of</strong> leaders in the field. Together with<br />
a comprehensive digital appendix, this<br />
publication promises to be an industry<br />
benchmark for years to come. The volume<br />
is set to roll <strong>of</strong>f the printing presses<br />
in October this year, precisely 100 years<br />
after publication <strong>of</strong> the very first issue <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology. There are many people<br />
responsible for accomplishing this<br />
remarkable feat, the most visible being<br />
the editors, the authors, and the sponsors.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> these contributors will be<br />
prominently acknowledged in the publication<br />
itself. It is equally important that<br />
we recognize other key contributions—<br />
especially with respect to the timeliness<br />
<strong>of</strong> publication—made by Alice Bouley,<br />
managing editor at <strong>SEG</strong>, and Mabel<br />
Peterson, contract copyeditor. The entire<br />
CORRECTIONS AND AMPLIFICATIONS<br />
In the October 2004 <strong>SEG</strong> Foundation Contributions<br />
acknowledgments (p. 7), David A. Groves’ country affiliation<br />
should have been listed as USA.<br />
In the July 2005 <strong>Economic</strong> Geology Invited Commentary<br />
column (p. 41), the authors <strong>of</strong> the original paper are<br />
Andrew Kerr and Alison M. Leitch.<br />
In the July 2005 feature article by Dominic Channer et al.<br />
(p. 5, 13–22), acknowledgment was made <strong>of</strong> miscellaneous<br />
public domain information; the author plans to<br />
issue an addendum specifying sources. This will appear in<br />
a future issue.<br />
process also benefited enormously from<br />
the assistance and guidance provided by<br />
both Brian Skinner and John Thoms,<br />
respectively former and present chairs <strong>of</strong><br />
the Publications Board.<br />
Somewhat less predictable than the<br />
traditional printing process followed by<br />
the 100th Anniversary Volume has<br />
been the parallel production <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Hugo Dummett Memorial <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology Archive, a DVD product that<br />
captures 792 issues <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
from the period 1905–2004. The technology<br />
employed merges two regular<br />
DVD-Rs into a single DVD-9, or doubledensity<br />
DVD that can accommodate the<br />
entire 7 to 8 gigabytes <strong>of</strong> information.<br />
At the time <strong>of</strong> writing, I have reviewed<br />
several prototypes and was suitably<br />
impressed by the speed and utility <strong>of</strong><br />
this research tool. The <strong>Society</strong> will demo<br />
the DVD at the GSA meeting in Salt<br />
Lake City and members may place<br />
orders for the product at that time. Over<br />
the past 18 months in carrying out the<br />
digital archiving <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology, I<br />
received tremendous<br />
assistance<br />
from Jean<br />
Thoms, formerly<br />
head <strong>of</strong><br />
Subscription<br />
Services. Jean<br />
recently retired<br />
from the <strong>SEG</strong>—<br />
not, we hope, as<br />
a result <strong>of</strong> her<br />
Herculean effort<br />
on this project.<br />
Major contributors<br />
to the DVD are prominently<br />
BRIAN G. HOAL<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Executive Director<br />
and Editor<br />
acknowledged on the product but the<br />
instrumental participation <strong>of</strong> a few is,<br />
as for the 100th Anniversary Volume,<br />
not as noticeable. In particular, I wish<br />
to thank the President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Canada Foundation, Gerry Carlson, for<br />
his strong support and his role in raising<br />
the significant funds required to<br />
carry out this initiative.<br />
Happy Centenary, <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology! 1<br />
ANATOMY OF A TILTED PORPHYRY Cu<br />
BATHOLITH AND ITS HYDROTHERMAL<br />
ALTERATION FEATURES, YERINGTON,<br />
NEVADA (U.S.A)<br />
Instructors: John Dilles, Oregon State University<br />
Dick Tosdal, MDRU<br />
Full course: April 8-15, 2006<br />
Field trip only: April 11-13, 2006<br />
The course revolves around an 8-day field trip and mapping<br />
exercise at Yerington, Nevada, where Jurassic porphyry<br />
Cu, related deposits, and volcanic and plutonic<br />
complex are exposed in cross section because <strong>of</strong> Tertiary<br />
extension. The course is an opportunity to enhance skills<br />
in detailed field geologic mapping techniques for recording<br />
age, structural, and igneous information as well as<br />
hydrothermal veining, mineralization, and alteration.<br />
Mapping exercises are in porphyry Cu and skarn deposits.<br />
A field trip through the Yerington Batholith, volcanic<br />
cover rocks, porphyry Cu, and related Na-Ca alteration<br />
and Fe oxide-Cu (Au) systems complete the course.<br />
There is an option to attend only the field trip.<br />
Contact John Dilles (dillesj@geo.oregonstate.edu) or Dick<br />
Tosdal (mdru@eos.ubc.ca) for details. Cost and registration<br />
information available at www.mdru.ubc.ca. Deadline<br />
for registration is March 8, 2006.<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 7<br />
PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology — Science or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession?<br />
Exactly 100 years ago, in the first issue<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology, Dr. Fredrick L.<br />
Ransome wrote in the journal’s first<br />
article, “<strong>Geologists</strong> as a class have<br />
looked upon the economic branch <strong>of</strong><br />
their science with rather languid interest<br />
or have even regarded it as occupying<br />
a somewhat lower plane where the<br />
pure light <strong>of</strong> science is slightly dimmed<br />
by the smoke <strong>of</strong> commercialism.”<br />
The tension Ransome noted between<br />
science and commercialism, between<br />
those who work in Surveys or academic<br />
laboratories and those who are<br />
employed by mines or mineral exploration<br />
companies is still with us. As<br />
Ransome noted, it is a healthy tension<br />
that enables our field to embrace the<br />
wide range <strong>of</strong> the natural sciences and<br />
their practical application.<br />
However, over the past several<br />
decades there appears to have been a<br />
branching within economic geology<br />
into an academic sector and an applied<br />
sector. While many <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong>’s publications<br />
focus on the former, most <strong>of</strong> our<br />
members work in the latter. To address<br />
concerns <strong>of</strong> many <strong>of</strong> our industrial<br />
members, <strong>SEG</strong> is sponsoring the 2006<br />
meeting, Wealth Creation in the Minerals<br />
Industry. While this meeting will aid in<br />
remarrying the two sides <strong>of</strong> our <strong>Society</strong>,<br />
these tensions have pr<strong>of</strong>ound implications<br />
for the future <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />
I have been lucky enough to work in<br />
both industry and academia. There is<br />
no doubt that they are different worlds.<br />
Industry values discoveries and ways to<br />
produce more metal more cheaply.<br />
Science is critical in these endeavors,<br />
but rewards in industry are for practical<br />
applications. In academia, rewards are<br />
given for publications and presentations,<br />
and for successfully teaching and<br />
graduating students. To get published<br />
in the best journals (including <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology) requires “high tech” science<br />
and application <strong>of</strong> analytical tools.<br />
Good field mapping is valued but is<br />
rarely published in Science or Nature.<br />
Garnering research funding from mining<br />
and exploration companies is<br />
acknowledged in academia, but since<br />
most companies refuse to pay full overhead<br />
rates required by academic institutions<br />
(at least in the United States and<br />
increasingly in other countries), its<br />
value for academic advancement is<br />
much lower than fully overheaded<br />
research funding from governmental<br />
organizations such as the U.S. National<br />
Science Foundation (NSF) or the<br />
European Science Foundation.<br />
The reward ladder in academia<br />
results in academic geologists focusing<br />
more and more on relatively narrow<br />
research questions using very sophisticated<br />
analytical capabilities. The results<br />
are scientifically fascinating and provide<br />
important guides to our thinking<br />
on the formation <strong>of</strong> ore deposits, but the<br />
research rarely leads directly to new discoveries<br />
or novel means <strong>of</strong> mineral production.<br />
Most young economic geologists<br />
throughout the world are trained at<br />
universities. The pr<strong>of</strong>essors doing the<br />
training are excellent scientists who do<br />
outstanding research, but increasingly<br />
they have less and less industrial experience.<br />
Many have not worked in a<br />
mine or been actively engaged at a<br />
managerial level in mineral exploration.<br />
As a consequence, many economic<br />
geology students graduate with a<br />
high level <strong>of</strong> scientific competence and<br />
the ability to think critically, but little<br />
practical experience or sense <strong>of</strong> community<br />
values for the industrial field they<br />
are entering.<br />
Current economic geology education<br />
has close parallels in what is happening<br />
in American business schools. Pr<strong>of</strong>essors<br />
Bennis and O’Toole <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Southern California, writing recently in<br />
the Harvard Business Review, stated,<br />
“During the past several decades, many<br />
leading B schools have quietly adopted<br />
an inappropriate—and ultimately selfdefeating—model<br />
<strong>of</strong> academic excellence.<br />
Instead <strong>of</strong> measuring themselves<br />
in terms <strong>of</strong> the competence <strong>of</strong> their<br />
graduates, or by how well their faculties<br />
understand important drivers <strong>of</strong> business<br />
performance, they measure themselves<br />
almost solely by the rigor <strong>of</strong> their<br />
scientific research. Some <strong>of</strong> the research<br />
produced is excellent, but because so little<br />
<strong>of</strong> it is grounded in actual business<br />
practices, the focus <strong>of</strong> graduate business<br />
education has become increasingly circumscribed—and<br />
less and less relevant<br />
to practitioners” (2005).<br />
The situation Bennis and O’Toole<br />
describe for American business schools<br />
mirrors what we have seen worldwide<br />
in economic geology<br />
over the past<br />
half century.<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> geology<br />
in the academic<br />
sphere has<br />
become scientifically<br />
rigorous.<br />
The results <strong>of</strong> the<br />
research provide important insights into<br />
mantle processes, magma differentiation<br />
and cooling, metal behavior in critical<br />
fluids, etc. While these insights can<br />
help clever exploration geologists determine<br />
new models for ore genesis, the<br />
research rarely has an immediate bottom<br />
line impact on business. More<br />
emphasis is needed to ensure that the<br />
science developed in academia can be<br />
applied industrially.<br />
Perhaps more importantly, academic<br />
research is not only conducted by pr<strong>of</strong>essors<br />
but also by the students earning<br />
advanced (MS and PhD) degrees in economic<br />
geology. While some <strong>of</strong> these students<br />
will go on to become academics<br />
and follow in their mentors’ footsteps,<br />
most students are looking for employment<br />
in industry. Are what they are<br />
being taught and the research they are<br />
conducting really relevant for the business<br />
world they will enter? I think it is<br />
clear that in many cases, the answer is<br />
“no.”<br />
Company disillusionment with<br />
academia and the consequent difficulty<br />
in securing significant industrial financial<br />
support for academic programs<br />
may have much to do with the differing<br />
goals <strong>of</strong> academic and industry economic<br />
geologists. We all respond to<br />
rewards. For most academics this is<br />
gaining tenure through high quality<br />
scientific publications and successful<br />
governmental research grants. The<br />
tenure process generally does not place<br />
a high value on producing graduates<br />
who easily and successfully make the<br />
transition into industry.<br />
Most academic economic geologists,<br />
or even departments with a focus on<br />
economic geology research, do not have<br />
the background to be able to teach the<br />
practical basis <strong>of</strong> economic geology—<br />
which includes excellent geology and<br />
geochemistry but also the values and<br />
pitfalls <strong>of</strong> differing<br />
exploration geophysical<br />
MURRAY W. HITZMAN<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> President<br />
2005<br />
to page 8 ...
8 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 7<br />
Presidential Perspective (Continued)<br />
and geochemical techniques, the intricacies<br />
<strong>of</strong> ore reserve estimation, 3-D computer<br />
modeling skills, strategic exploration<br />
design, mineral economics, and<br />
increasingly the social and humanistic<br />
skills required <strong>of</strong> geologists to secure<br />
social license for their company’s operations.<br />
As Bennis and O’Toole (2005)<br />
state, business is “a human activity in<br />
which judgments are made with messy,<br />
incomplete, and incoherent data.”<br />
Applied economic geology involves such<br />
“messy” data both in the science, but<br />
also in our inevitable interactions with<br />
people as part <strong>of</strong> the exploration and<br />
mining business.<br />
Given the existing divergence in our<br />
field between the academic and the<br />
applied, what is to be done? The first step<br />
is to recognize the problem. Bennis and<br />
O’Toole (2005) wrote that “The distinction<br />
between a pr<strong>of</strong>ession and an academic<br />
discipline in crucial.” In the early<br />
20 th century, economic geology was<br />
taught at both universities and at<br />
schools <strong>of</strong> mines—the latter largely trade<br />
schools for the mining industry. Schools<br />
<strong>of</strong> mines have essentially disappeared<br />
from the academic world or metamorphosed<br />
into institutes <strong>of</strong> technology. We<br />
cannot go backward to the trade school<br />
paradigm, but it may be worth trying, as<br />
Bennis and O’Toole (2005) suggest, “to<br />
strike a new balance between scientific<br />
rigor and practical relevance.”<br />
Accomplishing this task will not be<br />
easy and it will require commitment<br />
from both the academic and industrial<br />
communities. For many schools, practical<br />
relevance will not be an option. Most<br />
academic administrations will not have<br />
the patience to undertake the re-organization<br />
<strong>of</strong> what is a very small and generally<br />
unpr<strong>of</strong>itable (academic institutions<br />
are businesses too!) part <strong>of</strong> their<br />
organization.<br />
Industry needs to identify the few<br />
schools that have an orientation that<br />
will allow practical research and teaching<br />
to flourish. Critically, industry will<br />
have to provide significant financial<br />
support to ensure that school administrations<br />
nurture and follow such a path.<br />
Without such support there will be no<br />
incentive for schools to reward academics<br />
for applied research and for<br />
teaching students the practicalities <strong>of</strong><br />
mineral exploration and production. If<br />
the funding from “pure” research bodies<br />
such as NSF exceeds the money available<br />
from industry for “applied”<br />
research, universities will obviously follow<br />
the larger pot <strong>of</strong> funding.<br />
There is urgency to this task. Very few<br />
schools worldwide retain the ability to<br />
undertake the sort <strong>of</strong> applied research<br />
and education required by industry.<br />
However, the mining industry does not<br />
employ large numbers <strong>of</strong> people.<br />
Probably five schools worldwide could<br />
IMDEX/Cascabel –<br />
Fifteen years <strong>of</strong> geological consulting in Mexico . . .<br />
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provide the industry with the critical<br />
personnel needed. Schools themselves<br />
will not undertake this selection process.<br />
Without significant financial incentives<br />
from industry, all schools will choose the<br />
scientific route as a practical business<br />
decision. Only a significant and stable<br />
source <strong>of</strong> industrial funding will encourage<br />
some schools to look to a pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
education in economic geology as<br />
a worthy goal and a sound business<br />
decision.<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> geology is both a pr<strong>of</strong>ession<br />
and a scientific discipline.<br />
Individuals in both spheres are critical<br />
to our continued success at producing<br />
the commodities that the world needs in<br />
ways that are socially acceptable.<br />
However, we are at a crossroads where<br />
the world’s educational infrastructure is<br />
about to totally embrace the scientific,<br />
rather than applied, paradigm for economic<br />
geology. Industry needs to step<br />
up to the plate to ensure that education<br />
can deliver both science and pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
training. With this step, industry<br />
can ensure that it gets the best and<br />
brightest to move mining confidently<br />
into the 21 st century.<br />
REFERENCES<br />
Bennis, W.G. and O’Toole, J., 2005, How business<br />
schools lost their way: Harvard<br />
Business Review, v. 83 (5), p. 96–104. 1<br />
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OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 9<br />
... from 5<br />
Exploring for Deposits Under Deep Cover Using Geochemistry (Continued)<br />
sulfide blanket up to 120 m thick that<br />
mainly underlies, but also overlaps,<br />
largely oxidized Au mineralization.<br />
Subsequent to supergene alteration, the<br />
deposit was covered by up to 240 m <strong>of</strong><br />
Eocene Carlin Formation comprised <strong>of</strong><br />
piedmont gravel, finer clastic sediments,<br />
waterlain tuff, and a basal conglomerate<br />
and regolith that contains mineralized<br />
(oxidized) clasts.<br />
The most probable mechanism for<br />
generating geochemical anomalies<br />
through 240 m <strong>of</strong> postmineral cover is<br />
by the movement <strong>of</strong> fluids or gases up<br />
faults in this cover. Dohrenwend and<br />
Moring (1991) carried out photo-geological<br />
interpretations <strong>of</strong> recent faulting in<br />
this region, and noted that faults could<br />
be identified by a number <strong>of</strong> criteria,<br />
the most relevant to the Mike area<br />
being “prominent alignments <strong>of</strong> linear<br />
drainageways, ridges and swales, active<br />
springs or spring deposits, and linear<br />
discontinuities <strong>of</strong> structure, rock type,<br />
and vegetation.” This faulting, which<br />
they assign to early to middle<br />
Pleistocene time (0.13 to 1.5 Ma), with a<br />
mean orientation <strong>of</strong> 028°, resulted in<br />
dissection <strong>of</strong> the surface. The topography<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Mike area (Fig. 1b) shows<br />
deeply incised dry stream beds with orientations<br />
close to 028°, which were<br />
interpreted by Cameron and Doherty<br />
(2001) to represent faults that cut the<br />
Carlin Formation. Interpreted fault A is<br />
marked by a stream and floodplain.<br />
Faults B and C are marked by steepsided<br />
valleys, which were dry during our<br />
visits. The east slope <strong>of</strong> the valley marking<br />
fault B is precipitous, which may<br />
indicate a fault scarp. Climate is semiarid,<br />
with sparse sagebrush vegetation.<br />
A soil sampling line was chosen that<br />
was normal to the strike <strong>of</strong> the interpreted<br />
faults cutting the Carlin Formation.<br />
Soils were collected from sites at 30<br />
m intervals; at each site, sub-samples<br />
were taken from a depth <strong>of</strong> 40 to 50 cm<br />
from five holes dug within a radius <strong>of</strong><br />
1.5 to 3.0 m. The five sub-samples were<br />
mixed to form a composite sample.<br />
Composite samples reduce sampling<br />
error, permitting less distinct anomalies<br />
to be identified. The soils were found to<br />
be immature with a weak B-horizon<br />
below 15 to 30 cm and a low organic<br />
content, except in alluvial soils around<br />
the stream that marks Channel A.<br />
Analyses <strong>of</strong> the soils after aqua regia<br />
extraction are shown in Figure 2. There<br />
are strong anomalies for Au and Cu on<br />
the steep west-facing (scarp) slope <strong>of</strong> the<br />
dry valley along fault B. There are no<br />
recognizable anomalies for these elements<br />
where the sampling line crosses<br />
fault A. A number <strong>of</strong> other elements<br />
show anomalies along the sampling<br />
line, the most prominent being Zn and<br />
Cd Aqua Regia, ppm<br />
Cu Aqua Regia, ppm<br />
Au Aqua Regia, ppb<br />
2.0<br />
1.6<br />
1.2<br />
0.8<br />
0.4<br />
0.0<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
16<br />
12<br />
8<br />
4<br />
0<br />
Cadmium<br />
Copper<br />
Gold<br />
Fault'A'<br />
Cd. Cadmium shows a distinct anomaly<br />
along the scarp slope <strong>of</strong> fault B and a<br />
weaker anomaly where the line crosses<br />
fault A.<br />
During the period <strong>of</strong> 1999 to 2001,<br />
when our work on Mike<br />
was being carried out, to page 10 ...<br />
Fault 'B'<br />
0 500 1000 1500 m<br />
FIGURE 2. Plots <strong>of</strong> Au, Cu, and Cd by aqua regia extraction in soils from the line shown in<br />
Figure 1. Zero on the horizontal scale is at the northwest limit <strong>of</strong> the line. The strongest<br />
anomalies are found in the eastern (scarp) slope <strong>of</strong> the valley formed by fault B. This valley<br />
is the surface expression <strong>of</strong> the Nebulous fracture zone that dips west to the basement<br />
to form the bounding structure for secondary mineralization in the West Mike (Norby and<br />
Orobona, 2002)
10 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 9<br />
Exploring for Deposits Under Deep Cover Using Geochemistry (Continued)<br />
the strong anomalies for Zn and Cd<br />
were enigmatic. Why would these elements<br />
be strongly anomalous over an<br />
Au-Cu deposit? Further drilling by<br />
Newmont described by Norby and<br />
Orobona (2002) revealed the presence <strong>of</strong><br />
a deposit-wide blanket <strong>of</strong> sphalerite concentrated<br />
in the upper 60 m <strong>of</strong> the sulfide<br />
zone, approximately 500 m below<br />
surface. The secondary Zn blanket, containing<br />
1 to 4% Zn, contains submicrometer-sized<br />
framboids <strong>of</strong> sphalerite<br />
that have extremely low values for δ 34 S,<br />
down to –70‰, indicative <strong>of</strong> bacterial<br />
reduction <strong>of</strong> sulfate during supergene<br />
alteration (Bawden et al., 2003).<br />
Cadmium is a ubiquitous constituent <strong>of</strong><br />
sphalerite, with contents typically in the<br />
range 0.1 to 0.8% (Piatak et al., 2004).<br />
Newmont is currently measuring the Cd<br />
content <strong>of</strong> the sphalerite-rich zone.<br />
Preliminary results give average Cd/Zn<br />
ratios above that obtained from crustal<br />
abundance data for these elements.<br />
Norby and Orobona (2002) provide<br />
additional structural detail for the<br />
deposit. The interpreted post-Carlin<br />
Formation fault B, where the strongest<br />
geochemical anomalies are found at the<br />
surface, corresponds to the Nebulous<br />
fracture zone, which forms the boundary<br />
structure for the West Mike secondary<br />
mineralization, including the Zn-rich<br />
zone (John Norby, pers. commun., 2003).<br />
Its location in the basement was recognized<br />
by gravity contrast caused by <strong>of</strong>fsets<br />
along the basement unconformity.<br />
This fault has a westerly dip (Norby and<br />
Orobona, 2002), and thus the surface<br />
trace (fault B) shown by the topographic<br />
relief is east <strong>of</strong> the gravity expression in<br />
the basement (Figure 1a). Similarly, fault<br />
C is the surface expression <strong>of</strong> the westerly<br />
dipping North-Pointing Dog fault <strong>of</strong><br />
Norby and Orobona (2002). Fault A may<br />
be the surface topographic expression <strong>of</strong><br />
a westerly dipping D-Day fault or a<br />
down-faulted block between the<br />
D-Day and Hillside faults. North-northeast–striking<br />
faults, such as the<br />
Nebulous, locally control gold mineralization<br />
and also down-drop mineralization<br />
and the base <strong>of</strong> oxidation. There are<br />
landslides along the southwest projections<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Nebulous and D-Day faults<br />
(John Norby, pers. commun., 2003),<br />
which may reflect recent earthquakes.<br />
We interpret the anomalies at the<br />
surface intersection <strong>of</strong> the Nebulous<br />
fracture zone to be the result <strong>of</strong> mobilization<br />
<strong>of</strong> metals where the permeable<br />
fault zone cuts the ores, and pumping<br />
<strong>of</strong> the resulting metalliferous fluids up<br />
the fault. It is likely that it was the constituents<br />
<strong>of</strong> the sulfide zone that were<br />
the most amenable to oxidation and<br />
mobilization. In addition to Au, Cu, Cd,<br />
and Zn, other elements such as Ag, As,<br />
Ba, Hg, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, and V are<br />
anomalous along the surface intersection<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Nebulous fault. Major elements<br />
such as K and Na, which might<br />
indicate hydrothermal alteration, are<br />
not enhanced. Isotopic studies by<br />
Dublyansky et al. (2003) at the Yucca<br />
Mountain nuclear waste disposal site,<br />
also in Nevada, have shown that fluids<br />
<strong>of</strong> deep-seated origin have moved up<br />
several hundred meters along a permeable<br />
fault through a thick vadose zone.<br />
SPENCE DEPOSIT<br />
Spence is a supergene-enriched copper<br />
porphyry deposit located between<br />
Ant<strong>of</strong>agasta and Calama in the<br />
Atacama Desert <strong>of</strong> northern Chile.<br />
RioChilex discovered the deposit in<br />
1996 by reconnaissance drilling.<br />
Porphyry intrusion and hypogene mineralization<br />
took place during the<br />
Palaeocene. Following supergene<br />
enrichment, the deposit was covered by<br />
50 to 100 m <strong>of</strong> piedmont gravels <strong>of</strong><br />
Miocene age. The gravels are indurated<br />
and for the most part are poorly sorted<br />
with a fine grained matrix that makes<br />
them relatively impermeable, except<br />
where fractured or in better sorted layers,<br />
as near their base. Copper minerals<br />
are atacamite and brochantite within<br />
the oxide zone, and chalcocite and covellite<br />
in the enriched zone. The primary<br />
sulfides comprise chalcopyrite, bornite,<br />
molybdenite, tennantite, and pyrite.<br />
Reserves recoverable by open-pit mining<br />
are 79 Mt <strong>of</strong> oxide ore at 1.18% Cu<br />
and 231 Mt <strong>of</strong> sulfide ore at 1.13% Cu.<br />
The long axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit and the<br />
porphyry intrusions trend north-northeast,<br />
similar to the orientation <strong>of</strong> a<br />
prominent lineament that runs through<br />
the area. We carried out sampling <strong>of</strong><br />
soils and groundwaters within and<br />
around the deposit in 1999 and 2000;<br />
results are described by Cameron et al.<br />
(2004) and Cameron and Leybourne<br />
(2005).<br />
In this region, groundwater flows<br />
southwest. Over most <strong>of</strong> the deposit, the<br />
water table lies within the basal gravels,<br />
which act as an aquifer, but in the<br />
south <strong>of</strong> the deposit it lies below the<br />
unconformity. Contents <strong>of</strong> Cl in the<br />
groundwaters (Fig. 3) show two distinct<br />
types <strong>of</strong> groundwater: low-salinity water<br />
east <strong>of</strong> the long axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit, and<br />
saline water west and downstream from<br />
the axis. There is an order <strong>of</strong> magnitude<br />
difference in the Cl content <strong>of</strong> the two<br />
waters, which average 1,300 mg/L and<br />
11,600 mg/L, respectively. The maximum<br />
for the saline water is 21,200<br />
mg/L, compared to seawater with<br />
19,000 mg/L Cl. The saline water is distinguished<br />
by high contents <strong>of</strong> a number<br />
<strong>of</strong> elements, most notably As (Fig. 3)<br />
and Se, but also, B, Br, Ca, I, K, Li , Mg,<br />
Sr, and Rb (Cameron and Leybourne,<br />
2005).<br />
The two waters are also distinguished<br />
by differences in their isotopic composition.<br />
On a δ 2 H vs. δ 18 O plot (Fig. 4), the<br />
low-salinity waters plot near the global<br />
meteoric water line (GMWL), whereas<br />
the saline waters plot well to the right<br />
(Cameron and Leybourne, 2005). Formation<br />
waters recovered from deep sedimentary<br />
basins are different from meteoric<br />
waters, both in their higher salinity<br />
and the deviation in δ 2 H and δ 18 O values<br />
from the GMWL. The saline groundwaters<br />
from Spence plot within the field<br />
<strong>of</strong> formation waters indicating that the<br />
waters found on either side <strong>of</strong> the axis<br />
<strong>of</strong> the deposit are <strong>of</strong> different origins:<br />
those to the east are meteoric waters,<br />
those to the west are formation waters,<br />
with mixing <strong>of</strong> the two as they flow<br />
down-gradient towards the southwest.<br />
The Atacama Desert is hyper-arid;<br />
rainfall may occur only once every few<br />
years. Recharge for the groundwater<br />
that lies beneath the desert floor is in<br />
the Andes mountains and foothills ca.<br />
120 km to the east, and precipitation is<br />
significant only above altitudes <strong>of</strong> 3,000<br />
m (Spence lies at 1,700 m). The δ 18O<br />
composition <strong>of</strong> precipitation varies with<br />
the altitude <strong>of</strong> the land surface, becoming<br />
increasingly negative with greater<br />
altitude. In northern Chile, Aravena et<br />
al. (1999) found values <strong>of</strong> δ 18O in the<br />
range –5 to –7 ‰ at 2,500 m altitude,<br />
decreasing to –20 ‰ above 4,000 m.<br />
The least saline <strong>of</strong> the Spence groundwaters,<br />
which are interpreted to be <strong>of</strong><br />
meteoric origin, range in δ 18 O from –8<br />
to –11 ‰, consistent with derivation<br />
from precipitation at higher altitudes<br />
east <strong>of</strong> Spence.<br />
Over the deposit, Cu is enriched in<br />
both saline and meteoric waters (Fig. 5),
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 11<br />
7482000N<br />
7481000N<br />
7480000N<br />
473000E 474000E<br />
475000E 476000E 473000E 474000E<br />
475000E 476000E<br />
10500<br />
8500<br />
Cl mg/l<br />
15100<br />
21200 6900 900<br />
Groundwater<br />
Flow<br />
8600<br />
7100<br />
15000<br />
7000<br />
11200 00<br />
13500 350<br />
6600 660<br />
as a result <strong>of</strong> oxidation <strong>of</strong> the Cu minerals<br />
within the deposit, but high values<br />
do not persist downflow from the<br />
deposit. Copper dissolves in groundwaters<br />
as a cation Cu 2+, which is readily<br />
adsorbed on negatively charged Fe and<br />
Al oxyhydroxide colloids and coatings.<br />
17500<br />
200<br />
1700<br />
3900<br />
2400 24<br />
13600 00<br />
600 60<br />
n/a<br />
100<br />
100<br />
33200<br />
n/a<br />
200<br />
1000<br />
Approximate Limits<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mineralization<br />
By contrast, higher values for Mo, As,<br />
and Se persist in the downflow waters.<br />
The latter three elements dissolve as<br />
anions, which are not adsorbed by oxyhydroxide<br />
colloids. In order to determine<br />
which elements are most prone to<br />
be adsorbed on oxyhydroxide colloids<br />
50<br />
36<br />
As, ppb<br />
93<br />
73<br />
33 71<br />
29<br />
12 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 11<br />
7482000N<br />
7481000N<br />
7480000N<br />
7479000N<br />
13<br />
Exploring for Deposits Under Deep Cover Using Geochemistry (Continued)<br />
473000E 474000E<br />
475000E 24 476000E<br />
10<br />
Cu ppb<br />
Analyses <strong>of</strong> the soils showed that<br />
zones <strong>of</strong> high conductivity <strong>of</strong> soil-water<br />
slurries is due to the dissolution <strong>of</strong> NaCl<br />
(Na is shown in Fig. 6). Figure 6 also<br />
shows As and Se by Enzyme Leach, and<br />
Cu by Enzyme Leach, Mobile Metal Ions<br />
(MMI), and aqua regia. Enzyme Leach<br />
and MMI are proprietary leach methods<br />
designed to extract the weakly soluble<br />
fraction <strong>of</strong> metals, whereas aqua regia<br />
is a strong reagent that dissolves a<br />
much higher proportion <strong>of</strong> the total element<br />
in the soil. The active reagents in<br />
the Enzyme Leach solution are hydrogen<br />
peroxide and gluconic acid, the former<br />
solubilizing manganese oxides and<br />
their contained metals, with the gluconic<br />
acid stabilizing the metals in solution.<br />
In the soils from Spence, Enzyme<br />
Leach dissolves approximately the same<br />
amounts <strong>of</strong> elements as deionized<br />
water, but provides more reproducible<br />
analyses. The formulation <strong>of</strong> the MMI<br />
leach has not been revealed, but contains<br />
reagents that extract the most<br />
readily soluble fraction <strong>of</strong> elements,<br />
including those in carbonates.<br />
Sodium, As, and Se are all enriched<br />
in the soils lying above the fracture<br />
zone over the deposit and in the soils<br />
13<br />
Groundwater<br />
Flow<br />
14<br />
14<br />
19 191<br />
195<br />
1200 200<br />
121<br />
812<br />
10<br />
224<br />
88<br />
48<br />
25<br />
955<br />
1180<br />
4490<br />
53<br />
9<br />
41<br />
127 27<br />
12<br />
29<br />
Boundary between<br />
saline and non-saline<br />
waters<br />
Approximate Limits<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mineralization<br />
above the eastern fracture zone. Copper<br />
is enriched only in soils over the<br />
deposit. The anomaly/background contrast<br />
for Cu is much better for Enzyme<br />
Leach and MMI analyses than for aqua<br />
regia (Fig. 6). Much <strong>of</strong> the anomalous<br />
Cu in soils over the deposit is hosted by<br />
carbonate minerals. Analyses after<br />
extraction by ammonium acetate, a<br />
reagent that specifically dissolves carbonates,<br />
shows even higher values for<br />
Cu than MMI, but similar<br />
anomaly/background contrast<br />
(Cameron et al., 2004).<br />
We have interpreted these results to<br />
be caused by pumping <strong>of</strong> saline basement<br />
waters to the surface during earthquake<br />
activity (Cameron et al., 2002,<br />
2004). We interpret the data to indicate<br />
two faults in the basement, one directly<br />
along the axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit, and the<br />
other coincident with the eastern fracture<br />
zone. Saline water with high contents<br />
<strong>of</strong> As and Se were moved to the<br />
surface above the deposit and above the<br />
eastern fracture zone. Copper is only<br />
enriched in groundwaters within the<br />
deposit and these were entrained by the<br />
rising basement waters and taken to the<br />
surface. There is no increase in Cu in<br />
473000E 474000E<br />
475000E 476000E<br />
60 0<br />
15<br />
Mo, ppb<br />
24<br />
263<br />
105<br />
354<br />
<strong>45</strong><br />
2<br />
53<br />
66<br />
Soil Traverse<br />
63<br />
5<br />
18<br />
221<br />
222<br />
25<br />
33<br />
38<br />
soils above the eastern fracture zone.<br />
Drilling has shown the basement in this<br />
area to be barren. The above scenario is<br />
summarized in Figure 7. Saline water<br />
moves up from the basement along the<br />
axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit, where it mixes with<br />
meteoric water flowing in from the east.<br />
During earthquake activity, the basement<br />
water, plus mineralized water<br />
bathing the deposit, is forced to the surface.<br />
As noted by Woodall (2005), structures<br />
form pathways for magma, fluids,<br />
and energy. Thus, the interpreted fault<br />
zone along the axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit could<br />
have provided a pathway for porphyry<br />
magma, hypogene fluids, the fracturing<br />
<strong>of</strong> the mostly impermeable cover gravels<br />
during reactivation, and the movement<br />
<strong>of</strong> groundwaters to the surface.<br />
These points are unproven, but with<br />
mining <strong>of</strong> the deposit now commenced<br />
by BHP-Billiton, more definitive answers<br />
are expected.<br />
DISCUSSION AND<br />
CONCLUSIONS<br />
7<br />
40<br />
69<br />
Approximate Limits<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mineralization<br />
FIGURE 5. Plots <strong>of</strong> Cu and Mo (both in ppb) in groundwaters from in and around the Spence deposit. The line running roughly north-south<br />
near the axis <strong>of</strong> the deposit on the Cu plot separates low salinity meteoric waters to the east from saline deep formation waters to the<br />
west (Fig. 3). Within the deposit, higher values for Cu occur in both types <strong>of</strong> water, but are absent in the waters flowing away from the<br />
deposit to the southwest. By contrast, higher values <strong>of</strong> Mo are present in the downflow waters. The location <strong>of</strong> the soil sampling traverse is<br />
shown in the Mo plot. Eastings and northings in meters.<br />
The use <strong>of</strong> soil geochemistry in the<br />
search for buried deposits requires that<br />
32<br />
9<br />
54<br />
136<br />
9
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 13<br />
2000<br />
1600<br />
1200<br />
800<br />
400<br />
0<br />
500<br />
400<br />
300<br />
200<br />
100<br />
0<br />
6000<br />
4000<br />
2000<br />
As Enzyme Leach, ppb<br />
Se Enzyme Leach, ppb<br />
Na Deionized Water Leach, ppm<br />
0<br />
473500 474000 47<strong>45</strong>00 475000 475500 476000<br />
Spence<br />
Deposit<br />
elements be moved from depth to the<br />
surface, either in gaseous form or dissolved<br />
in water. In arid regions, advective<br />
transfer, as by barometric pumping<br />
<strong>of</strong> air containing gas through fractured<br />
rock or seismic pumping <strong>of</strong> mineralized<br />
groundwater through fractured rock,<br />
appears to be more effective than diffusive<br />
processes (Cameron et al., 2004).<br />
The diffusion <strong>of</strong> gas through air and<br />
rock is slower than advection, and diffusion<br />
<strong>of</strong> dissolved constituents in the<br />
water film that exists around grains in<br />
the vadose zone is ineffective because<br />
the rate that these films migrate downward<br />
is orders <strong>of</strong> magnitude faster than<br />
the upward rates <strong>of</strong> diffusion.<br />
Exploration methods based on diffusion<br />
(e.g., Hamilton, 1998; Smee, 2003) may<br />
have greater application in regions like<br />
the Canadian Shield, where recent<br />
seismicity is rare, where the climate is<br />
wetter, and where sediments <strong>of</strong> glacial<br />
Eastern Fracture<br />
Zone<br />
120000<br />
80000<br />
40000<br />
15000<br />
10000<br />
5000<br />
origin that are generally unfractured<br />
cover mineralized basement rocks.<br />
In this article we have described two<br />
examples from seismically active,<br />
hyper-arid and semi-arid regions <strong>of</strong><br />
advective transfer <strong>of</strong> elements by<br />
pumping <strong>of</strong> mineralized groundwater<br />
along faults. Surface flooding <strong>of</strong> a<br />
desert area, as envisaged at Spence,<br />
appears counterintuitive. Nevertheless,<br />
flooding after earthquakes has been<br />
widely reported. Sibson (1981)<br />
described changes in well water level,<br />
spring flow, and occasional dramatic<br />
effusions <strong>of</strong> groundwater immediately<br />
following moderate to large shallow<br />
earthquakes. Surface flows have been<br />
documented in Iran during earthquakes<br />
in 1903 and 1923 (Tchalenko,<br />
1973). Following the Hebgen Lake<br />
earthquake <strong>of</strong> Montana in 1959, three<br />
rivers increased in flow by ~50%, the<br />
increases continuing for several weeks<br />
0<br />
0<br />
0<br />
500<br />
400<br />
300<br />
200<br />
100<br />
Cu Aqua Regia, ppb<br />
Cu MMI, ppb<br />
Cu Enzyme Leach, ppb<br />
473500 474000 47<strong>45</strong>00 475000 475500 476000<br />
Spence<br />
Deposit<br />
Eastern Fracture<br />
Zone<br />
FIGURE 6. Analytical results for soils from an east-west traverse across the Spence deposit (for location see Fig. 5). Sodium concentrations<br />
were measured by deionized water leach, Se and As by Enzyme Leach, and Cu by Enzyme leach, MMI, and aqua regia. There are fracture<br />
zones in the gravels directly above the deposit and at 476000 m E. Eastings in meters.<br />
through dry weather (Muir-Wood,<br />
1994). After the Kern County,<br />
California, magnitude 7.5 earthquake<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1952 there were outpourings <strong>of</strong><br />
groundwater in the vicinity <strong>of</strong> faults,<br />
and increases in spring flow and well<br />
water level (Briggs and Troxell, 1955).<br />
Thus, the influence <strong>of</strong> structures related<br />
to the emplacement <strong>of</strong> an ore deposit<br />
does not necessarily cease after its primary<br />
formation. As Woodall (2005)<br />
implies, pathways for fluid and energy,<br />
which tend to move toward the surface,<br />
provide an opportunity to recognize<br />
deposits hidden below.<br />
Selective leach techniques have been<br />
widely applied in the search for buried<br />
deposits using soil geochemistry. These<br />
methods attempt to extract the most<br />
mobile fractions <strong>of</strong> the elements that<br />
are present in soils as<br />
water-soluble salts, or<br />
to page<br />
weakly adsorbed on soil 14 ...
14 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 13<br />
Exploring for Deposits Under Deep Cover Using Geochemistry (Continued)<br />
WEST Cu Soil<br />
Anomalies<br />
EAST<br />
Water Table<br />
Gravel<br />
Andesite<br />
Basement<br />
Saline<br />
Water<br />
minerals, or held within secondary<br />
minerals, such as carbonates or iron<br />
and manganese oxides. The objective is<br />
to maximize the anomaly/background<br />
contrast. For both Spence and other<br />
sites in Chile, and for Mike the response<br />
<strong>of</strong> five selective leaches: deionized<br />
water, Enzyme Leach, MMI, ammonium<br />
acetate, and hydroxylamine, plus<br />
one non-selective leach, aqua regia,<br />
were compared (Cameron et al., 2004).<br />
At the Chile sites selective leaches give<br />
better anomaly/background contrast<br />
than aqua regia. This is consistent with<br />
Fracture Zone<br />
Cu Deposit<br />
Porphyry<br />
Meteoric<br />
Water<br />
FIGURE 7. Conceptual model for groundwater flow and generation <strong>of</strong> soil anomalies over<br />
the Spence deposit. Saline formation waters from depth migrate up a fracture zone coincident<br />
with the deposit. In the deposit and gravel aquifer they mix with meteoric waters<br />
derived from precipitation in the Andes to the east. During earthquakes, saline waters are<br />
pumped to the surface entraining Cu from the deposit. Salts derived from the evaporation<br />
<strong>of</strong> water reaching the surface are largely preserved in the hyper-arid climate <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Atacama desert.<br />
the model that anomalous elements,<br />
such as Cu, have been transferred to<br />
the surface dissolved in water, and soil<br />
forming processes have yet to incorporate<br />
these in more resistant minerals<br />
that are dissolved by aqua regia. At<br />
Mike, the contrast shown by selective<br />
leaches and aqua regia are similar.<br />
Given the locus <strong>of</strong> the anomalies at<br />
Mike—on the interpreted scarp slope<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Nebulous fault zone—the soil<br />
anomalies may have been derived from<br />
mineralized fault rock, not directly<br />
from water.<br />
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS<br />
At Mike, Robert Jackson <strong>of</strong> Newmont<br />
Inc. provided a great deal <strong>of</strong> help and<br />
advice. Our sampling there was carried<br />
out with Mary Doherty and Kevin Creel.<br />
John Norby kindly provided much additional<br />
information on the geology <strong>of</strong><br />
Mike. At Spence, Ollie Bonham and<br />
Jack Currie <strong>of</strong> RioChilex provided many<br />
courtesies. EMC and MIL were assisted<br />
in the field in Chile with enthusiasm<br />
and humour by Daniel Salinas and<br />
Alexi Ramirez. George Steele <strong>of</strong> Rio<br />
Tinto generously gave logistical support<br />
for the Chile work. We thank CAMIRO<br />
and 26 company sponsors for their support<br />
and encouragement throughout<br />
the project.<br />
REFERENCES<br />
Aravena, R., Suzuki, O, Pena, H., Pollastri,<br />
A., Fuenzalida, H. and Grilli, A., 1999,<br />
Isotopic composition and origin <strong>of</strong> the precipitation<br />
in northern Chile: Applied<br />
Geochemistry, v. 14, p. 411–422.<br />
Bawden, T.M., Einaudi, M.T., Bostick, B.C.,<br />
Meiborn, A., Wooden, J., Norby, J.W.,<br />
Orobono, M.J.T. and Chamberlain, C.P.,<br />
2003, Extreme 34 S depletions in ZnS at the<br />
Mike gold deposit, Carlin trend, Nevada:<br />
Evidence for bacteriogenic supergene sphalerite:<br />
Geology, v. 31, p. 913–916.<br />
Briggs, R.C. and Troxell, H.C., 1955, Effect <strong>of</strong><br />
Arvin-Tehachapi earthquake on spring and<br />
stream flow, in Oakeshott, G.B., ed.,<br />
Earthquakes in Kern County, California,<br />
during 1952. Part 1: California Department<br />
<strong>of</strong> Natural Resources, Division <strong>of</strong> Mines<br />
Bulletin, v. 171, p. 81–98.<br />
Cameron, E.M. and Doherty, M.E., 2001,<br />
Geochemical data from a soil traverse<br />
across the Mike gold-copper deposit, Carlin,<br />
Nevada: Canadian Mining Industry<br />
Research Organization (CAMIRO) Report,<br />
17 p.<br />
JOSEPH R. ANZMAN<br />
Exploration Geophysicist<br />
• consulting<br />
• interpretation<br />
• project management<br />
• geophysical surveys<br />
• domestic & foreign<br />
P.O. Box 370526 303-337-<strong>45</strong>59<br />
Denver, Colorado 80237 telephone/fax<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 15<br />
Cameron, E.M. and Leybourne, M.I., 2005,<br />
Relationship between groundwater geochemistry<br />
and soil geochemical anomalies<br />
at the Spence copper porphyry deposit,<br />
Chile: Geochemistry: Exploration,<br />
Environment, Analysis, v. 5, p. 135–1<strong>45</strong>.<br />
Cameron, E.M., Leybourne, M.I. and Kelley,<br />
D.L., 2002, Exploring for deeply covered<br />
mineral deposits: Formation <strong>of</strong> geochemical<br />
anomalies in northern Chile by earthquake-induced<br />
surface flooding <strong>of</strong> mineralized<br />
groundwaters: Geology, v. 30, p.<br />
1007–1010.<br />
Cameron E.M., Hamilton S.M., Leybourne<br />
M.I., Hall G.E.M. and McClenaghan B.E.,<br />
2004, Finding deeply buried deposits using<br />
geochemistry: Geochemistry: Exploration,<br />
Environment, Analysis, v. 4, p. 1–26.<br />
Dohrenwend, J.C. and Moring, B.C. 1991,<br />
Reconnaissance photogeological map <strong>of</strong><br />
young faults in the Winnemucca 1° by 2°<br />
quadrangle, Nevada: U.S. Geological<br />
Survey, Miscellaneous Field Studies Map<br />
MF-2175.<br />
Dublyansky, Y.V., Smirnov, S.Z. and<br />
Pashenko, S.E., 2003, Identification <strong>of</strong> the<br />
deep-seated component in paleo fluids circulating<br />
through a potential nuclear waste<br />
disposal site: Yucca Mountain, Nevada,<br />
USA: Journal <strong>of</strong> Geochemical Exploration,<br />
v. 78, p. 39–43.<br />
Hamilton, S.M., 1998, Electrochemical mass<br />
transport in overburden: a new model to<br />
account for the formation <strong>of</strong> selective leach<br />
geochemical anomalies in glacial terrain:<br />
Journal <strong>of</strong> Geochemical Exploration, v. 63,<br />
p. 155–172.<br />
Hoefs, J., 2004, Stable Isotope Geochemistry:<br />
Berlin, Springer, 244 p.<br />
Muir-Wood, R. 1994, Earthquakes, straincycling<br />
and the mobilization <strong>of</strong> fluids, in<br />
Parnell, J., ed., Ge<strong>of</strong>luids: Origin, migration<br />
and evolution <strong>of</strong> fluids in sedimentary<br />
Basins: Geological <strong>Society</strong> Special<br />
Publication, v. 78, p. 85–98.<br />
Norby, J.W. and Orobona, M.J.T., 2002,<br />
Geology and mineral systems <strong>of</strong> the Mike<br />
deposit, in Thompson, T.B., Teal, L., and<br />
Meeuwig, R.O, eds., Gold deposits <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Carlin Trend: Nevada Bureau <strong>of</strong> Mines and<br />
Geology, Bulletin 111, p. 143–167.<br />
Piatak, N.M., Seal, R.R., and Hammarstrom,<br />
J.M., 2004, Environmental significance <strong>of</strong><br />
cadmium and other trace-element concentrations<br />
in sphalerite from mineral<br />
deposits: Geological <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> America<br />
Abstracts with Programs, v. 36, no. 5, p. 27.<br />
Sibson, R.H., 1981, Fluid flow accompanying<br />
faulting: Field evidence and models, in<br />
Simpson, D.W. and Richards, P.G., eds.,<br />
Earthquake predication: An international<br />
review: American Geophysical Union,<br />
Maurice Ewing Series, v. 4, p. 593–603.<br />
Smee, B., 2003, Theory behind the use <strong>of</strong> soil<br />
pH measurements as an inexpensive guide<br />
to buried mineralization, with examples:<br />
Explore, no. 118, p. 1, 14–18.<br />
Taylor, H.P., 1974, The application <strong>of</strong> oxygen<br />
and hydrogen isotope studies to problems<br />
<strong>of</strong> hydrothermal alteration and ore<br />
deposition: <strong>Economic</strong> Geology, v. 69, p.<br />
843–883.<br />
Teal, L. and Branham, A., 1997, Geology <strong>of</strong><br />
the Mike gold-copper deposit, Eureka<br />
County, Nevada: <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong><br />
<strong>Geologists</strong> Guidebook Series, v. 28, p.<br />
257–276.<br />
Tchalenko, J.S., 1973, The Kashmar (Turshiz)<br />
1903 and Torbat-e Heidariyeh (South) 1923<br />
earthquakes in Central Khorassan (Iran):<br />
Annali di Ge<strong>of</strong>isica, v. 26, p. 29–40.<br />
Woodall, R., 2005, The challenge <strong>of</strong> discovering<br />
mineral deposits under cover: What<br />
can we learn from the past?: <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> Newsletter, no. 60,<br />
p. 35–36. 1<br />
Geophysical Consulting, Survey Design,<br />
Data Interpretation<br />
Subsurface Structural Mapping<br />
Ground Water Delineation<br />
Minerals Exploration<br />
Rentals<br />
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& Downhole Techniques<br />
ZONGE<br />
ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ORGANIZATION<br />
1-800-523-9913 or 520-327-5501<br />
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<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS<br />
16 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Thayer Lindsley Lecture Tour - 2004<br />
François Robert (<strong>SEG</strong> 1991 F)<br />
Barrick Gold Corporation<br />
Reflecting back on my Thayer Lindsley<br />
lecture tour after several months, I can<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer a clearer perspective on the high<br />
value <strong>of</strong> such lecture tours for <strong>SEG</strong> and<br />
for the institutions visited (especially students),<br />
as well as for the lecturer and his<br />
employer (Barrick Gold, in my case).<br />
Four presentations were <strong>of</strong>fered in the<br />
course <strong>of</strong> the year: Characteristics <strong>of</strong> lode<br />
gold deposits in greenstone belts; Giant<br />
gold deposits <strong>of</strong> the Abitibi greenstone<br />
belt; Controls and timing <strong>of</strong> gold-quartz<br />
veins in the Val d’Or district, Abitibi<br />
greenstone belt; Geology and setting <strong>of</strong><br />
gold deposits in the North Carlin trend,<br />
Nevada. Each lecture also emphasized<br />
the importance <strong>of</strong> understanding the<br />
regional geology in deciphering the controls<br />
on the location <strong>of</strong> deposit and the<br />
role <strong>of</strong> basic field geology in developing<br />
such understanding. The Carlin lecture<br />
was the most commonly requested one,<br />
followed by the review <strong>of</strong> characteristics<br />
<strong>of</strong> greenstone gold deposits. The lectures<br />
were tailored to the needs <strong>of</strong> the local<br />
institutions, and ranged from a halfhour<br />
talk, as part <strong>of</strong> a local symposium,<br />
to <strong>45</strong>-minute lectures, to two-hour seminars.<br />
Most institutions requested two presentations,<br />
in a few cases back-to-back<br />
with a 15 min break in between!<br />
Owing to my relocation <strong>of</strong> family<br />
from Perth to Montreal in the middle <strong>of</strong><br />
Organizers <strong>of</strong> the two Thayer Lindsley lectures presented at<br />
Laval University, Quebec City. From left to right: Benoît Dubé<br />
(local <strong>SEG</strong> sponsor); Georges Beaudoin (faculty sponsor); and<br />
executive members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong>-student chapter at Laval: Martin<br />
Aucoin (Treasurer); Julie Bernard (Vice President); François<br />
Robert (Thayer Lindsley lecturer); Nancy Lafrance (President);<br />
Virgine Garnier (Vice President, external affairs).<br />
the year to become Barrick’s Chief<br />
Geologist – South America, the lecture<br />
tour consisted <strong>of</strong> an Australian leg in the<br />
first half <strong>of</strong> the year, and a North<br />
American leg in the fall. As a result, 24<br />
lectures were presented in 16 cities. In<br />
Australia, I visited Monash University<br />
(Melbourne), CODES-University <strong>of</strong><br />
Tasmania (Hobart), James Cook<br />
University (Townsville), and CGM-<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Western Australia (Perth). I<br />
also gave a presentation to a group <strong>of</strong><br />
Placer Dome geologists in Kalgoorlie.<br />
During the North American leg, I visited<br />
the following US institutions: South<br />
Dakota School <strong>of</strong> Mines (Rapid City),<br />
Montana Tech Institute (Butte), New<br />
Mexico Tech Institute (Socorro), and<br />
Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines (Golden). In<br />
Canada, I visited MDRU-University <strong>of</strong><br />
British Columbia and the Geological<br />
Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada (Vancouver),<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Saskatchewan (Saskatoon),<br />
Laurentian University and Sudbury<br />
Geological Discussion Group (Sudbury),<br />
Queen’s University (Kingston), Carleton<br />
University/University <strong>of</strong> Ottawa<br />
(Ottawa), McGill University (Montreal),<br />
and Laval University (Quebec City).<br />
Unfortunately, I was not able to accommodate<br />
additional requests from Europe<br />
and South America. I was very impressed<br />
with the level <strong>of</strong> interest in the presentations<br />
themselves,<br />
which attracted an<br />
average attendance<br />
<strong>of</strong> 20 to 30 geologists,<br />
and the level <strong>of</strong><br />
questions and discussions<br />
that followed,<br />
formally…and informally,<br />
around some<br />
drinks.<br />
At all institutions,<br />
as much as the<br />
schedule allowed, I<br />
also made a point to<br />
discuss geology and<br />
research with<br />
selected faculty<br />
members and graduate<br />
students. This<br />
was a way both to<br />
learn what is happening<br />
on the<br />
research front and to<br />
share the perspective<br />
<strong>of</strong> a large exploration<br />
company on<br />
university-based<br />
research. In several<br />
institutions, I<br />
also made<br />
informal presentations<br />
to<br />
graduate and<br />
undergraduate<br />
students during which I shared my<br />
views on the challenges and rewards <strong>of</strong><br />
working for a large exploration company,<br />
provided information about<br />
Barrick Gold, and answered questions<br />
(and there were generally many) regarding<br />
employment opportunities and<br />
careers in mineral exploration. In a few<br />
specific cases, I also interviewed undergraduate<br />
students with a view to identifying<br />
top candidates for vacation<br />
employment or even permanent positions<br />
within the company.<br />
What are the benefits <strong>of</strong> all this? For<br />
<strong>SEG</strong>, this is an excellent vehicle to expose<br />
its members, and especially student<br />
members, to the latest ideas in diverse<br />
fields <strong>of</strong> economic geology, conveyed by<br />
geologists with different backgrounds.<br />
This was clearly illustrated by the level <strong>of</strong><br />
discussions that followed most presentations.<br />
In my particular case, these lectures<br />
are also a good way for <strong>SEG</strong> to promote<br />
a closer link and closer<br />
communication between academia and<br />
industry. For the lecturer, the real benefits<br />
were new ideas and concepts about<br />
gold deposits and their exploration, as<br />
well as a clarification <strong>of</strong> some puzzling<br />
aspects <strong>of</strong> what I was lecturing about (!).<br />
And the networking aspect <strong>of</strong> such lecture<br />
tours is not to be overlooked. For<br />
Barrick, besides contributing to the visibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> the company, this lecture tour<br />
resulted in the hiring <strong>of</strong> top-quality new<br />
graduates for exploration and mine geology<br />
teams. This also resulted in the funding<br />
<strong>of</strong> a few new research projects that<br />
were initially discussed or identified during<br />
the tour.<br />
I must thank <strong>SEG</strong> for providing this<br />
unique opportunity, as well as logistical<br />
and financial assistance. Thanks also to<br />
all the students and faculty that organized<br />
my lectures and associated social<br />
events, and for hosting me so well.<br />
Thanks also to me employer for allowing<br />
me to invest the time in preparing and<br />
delivering these lectures. <strong>Final</strong>ly, I cannot<br />
close this note without saying that I<br />
felt rather distinguished at the beginning<br />
<strong>of</strong> this exciting assignment, but that I<br />
was fairly extinguished by the end! This<br />
was a very positive and stimulating<br />
experience on all fronts. 1
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 17<br />
MENTORING<br />
The Mentoring column is a regular feature <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong> Newsletter, with contributions <strong>of</strong> up to 700 words. Personal anecdotes are sought<br />
from those who have mentored and/or who have been mentored by another. Those interested in contributing should contact Steve<br />
Garwin (Steve.Garwin@geoinformex.com) or Lucy Chapman (Lucy.Chapman@jcu.edu.au) regarding details <strong>of</strong> submittal.<br />
Regina Baumgartner, Student Member: An Interview<br />
by Steve Garwin (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996 F)<br />
Regina Baumgartner is a Ph.D. candidate at<br />
the University <strong>of</strong> Geneva in Switzerland,<br />
where she is working towards the completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> her thesis on the Metallogeny <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Cerro de Pasco district, Peru. Regina<br />
obtained her B.Sc. in geology and Grad.<br />
Dip. in geophysics from Lausanne,<br />
Switzerland. She completed her M.Sc. on<br />
the geochemistry and geochronology <strong>of</strong><br />
pegmatites in Brazil, while at the University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Geneva. She is fluent in French, English,<br />
Spanish, and German and in her spare time<br />
she enjoys sports. Regina was interviewed<br />
by Steve Garwin, co-editor <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Mentoring column, while at the Gordon<br />
Conference on Ore Deposits, held in New<br />
Hampshire during early August.<br />
Q: Regina, when did you know you<br />
wanted to be a geologist – was there a particular<br />
event that helped you make this<br />
decision?<br />
A: My father’s love <strong>of</strong> chemistry encouraged<br />
my enthusiasm in the sciences. My<br />
sister had a friend who was a geography<br />
student and he spent a lot <strong>of</strong> time in the<br />
field; as I have always loved outdoor<br />
sports, this interested me. In my final year<br />
at school, I visited the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Lausanne and attended a Sedimentology<br />
sedimentology class and made a new<br />
friend, who encouraged me to go into geology.<br />
These experiences coupled with my<br />
enjoyment <strong>of</strong> crystallography taught in a<br />
mathematics class during my senior year<br />
at high school encouraged me to pursue a<br />
university degree in geology.<br />
Q: Do you have a picture in mind for how<br />
your next ten years will develop?<br />
A: Ideally, I would prefer to work in a<br />
research role for a mining & and exploration<br />
company. I look forward to solving<br />
problems that involve both field and laboratory<br />
studies. I am particularly interested<br />
in field work in South America.<br />
Q: Is there a company that you would<br />
like to work for and why—what is it about<br />
this group that you like?<br />
A: Nothing specific at this point. I look<br />
forward to learning what it is like to work<br />
for a mining & and exploration company… ;<br />
see how the company works. I seek opportunities<br />
for mentoring in industry, which<br />
include instruction on the practical aspects<br />
<strong>of</strong> exploration, training programs, and site<br />
visits.<br />
Q: What would you like to see more <strong>of</strong> in<br />
the actions <strong>of</strong> companies today that would<br />
encourage you to join the industry?<br />
A: More industry visits to universities! This<br />
does not happen very <strong>of</strong>ten in Europe. It<br />
would be great if industry geoscientists<br />
would tell the graduating students why<br />
exploration is so interesting, what is<br />
expected <strong>of</strong> them and how to better prepare<br />
for a job in mining & and exploration.<br />
I would like to learn more about<br />
what sort <strong>of</strong> jobs are available in industry.<br />
Q: Have you had a vacation job? What<br />
did you learn from it? What did you like<br />
and what did you dislike?<br />
A: Yes, I had a summer job in Switzerland<br />
for one month in 1999. I mapped fractures<br />
and faults in an exploration tunnel<br />
through the Alps to help determine the viability<br />
<strong>of</strong> constructing a road through the<br />
mountain to access a ski resort. This work<br />
was for a geotechnical company. There<br />
were two <strong>of</strong> us (student employees), both<br />
females. We found it a little difficult at<br />
first, in that our supervisor was not consistent<br />
in his guidance and we had to become<br />
accustomed to a predominantly male environment.<br />
I enjoyed the mapping and compilation<br />
<strong>of</strong> data and the learning opportunity.<br />
I would like the chance to participate<br />
in a company or government internship<br />
program, but these are not common in<br />
Switzerland.<br />
Q: The <strong>SEG</strong> President wrote an article<br />
(Hitzman, January 2005) that outlined the<br />
skills <strong>of</strong> a modern geologist. He pointed out<br />
that pr<strong>of</strong>essionals today require a range <strong>of</strong><br />
skills to compete in the global market,<br />
beyond the core topics <strong>of</strong> a geoscience<br />
degree, including information technology,<br />
languages, social and environmental science,<br />
mineral economics; beyond an introductory<br />
level. Do you have a specific comment?<br />
Can you comment on how your<br />
degree prepares you for such an expectation?<br />
A: Generally, I agree. I understand the<br />
usefulness <strong>of</strong> speaking multiple languages,<br />
the ability to work in different cultures and<br />
interact amicably with local communities<br />
–— this makes the job more interesting<br />
(I love my field work in Peru)! I feel that I<br />
have the requisite language and computer<br />
skills to make a valuable contribution to<br />
the industry. In addition, I took courses on<br />
entrepreneurship while at university. I<br />
have had field experience through academic<br />
field programs, but these do not<br />
teach us how to be ready for industry.<br />
Q: Do you think there are extra challenges<br />
for females in the business?<br />
A: Oh yes… If a woman is single and<br />
ambitious, then there generally is not a<br />
problem. I feel that the challenge lies in<br />
striking a balance between working and<br />
raising a family. Women add an extra<br />
dimension to the team. Of course, it may<br />
be easier for an employer to not deal with<br />
some <strong>of</strong> these issues by hiring a guy—<br />
but this is only my perception and I do<br />
not intend to imply that there is discrimination<br />
in the industry. I have yet to work<br />
in industry, so it is difficult for me to know<br />
the situation.<br />
Q: Do you have a mentor? How did this<br />
relationship develop? How do you interact<br />
with your mentor?<br />
A: I am lucky to have several mentors in<br />
both academia and industry. I have<br />
gained knowledge and ideas by talking<br />
with others at meetings and field trips. I<br />
like to keep their advice and stories in my<br />
mind for potential application to my life<br />
and career. I keep in touch with some <strong>of</strong><br />
my mentors through email and in person,<br />
when we are able to meet up.<br />
Q: Do you have a request or question for<br />
members <strong>of</strong> industry?<br />
A: Yes, would it be possible for industry<br />
geoscientists to visit European universities<br />
more frequently to inform students what<br />
should be done in preparation for future<br />
employment? In addition, students would<br />
benefit from feed-back on the quality <strong>of</strong><br />
their work—because when one is adrift in<br />
the “sea <strong>of</strong> the Ph.D.” it is helpful to receive<br />
the opinions <strong>of</strong> those who are active in<br />
industry.<br />
Thank you Regina!<br />
If you would like to get in touch with<br />
Regina, or would like to contribute to this<br />
column via an interview, please contact<br />
Steve Garwin or Lucy Chapman. 1<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS
<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS<br />
18 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
Field Trip Report—Chile, May 2005<br />
The barren Atacama Desert <strong>of</strong> northern<br />
Chile was a contrast to the damp<br />
Vancouver spring for the participants <strong>of</strong><br />
the 2005 University <strong>of</strong> British Columbia<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> student chapter field trip. The trip,<br />
from April 27 to May 12, was arranged<br />
with the goal <strong>of</strong> touring world-class porphyry<br />
and epithermal deposits <strong>of</strong> northern<br />
Chile and to gain an appreciation<br />
for the geologic evolution <strong>of</strong> a continental<br />
magmatic arc.<br />
Seventeen individuals<br />
participated<br />
throughout the<br />
entire trip, including<br />
six industry members<br />
and 11 students<br />
and employees from<br />
the university. Two<br />
additional industry<br />
representatives and<br />
sevearl geology students<br />
from the<br />
Universidad<br />
The “Top End Geo-Explorer Tour”<br />
July 11–22, 2005<br />
Six members <strong>of</strong> the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Tasmania <strong>SEG</strong> student chapter took part<br />
in the chapter’s main field trip for 2005:<br />
the “Top End Geo-Explorer Tour” <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Northern Territory, Australia. The group<br />
had a distinctly international feel, with<br />
two Australians, and one each from the<br />
UK, Russia, Zambia, and Thailand.<br />
After gathering in Darwin, the group’s<br />
first stop was the enigmatic Browns polymetallic<br />
deposit in the Rum Jungle mineral<br />
field, located south <strong>of</strong> Darwin, near<br />
the Litchfield National Park. This was followed<br />
by a day at Tom’s Gully gold<br />
mine, a shear-hosted gold deposit east <strong>of</strong><br />
Darwin. The group spent the following<br />
day gaining an understanding <strong>of</strong> the<br />
regional geology <strong>of</strong> the Ranger uranium<br />
mine by visiting numerous key exposures<br />
in the Kakadu National Park, before<br />
spending the next day at Ranger itself.<br />
The historic Pine Creek region was visited<br />
en-route as the group travelled south to<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> STUDENT CHAPTER NEWS<br />
� THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLLUMBIA �<br />
Católica del Norte in Ant<strong>of</strong>agasta took<br />
part in some <strong>of</strong> the trip. The itinerary<br />
covered six ore deposit tours, including<br />
El Teniente, La Candelaria, El Guanaco,<br />
La Escondida, Spence, and El Peñón, as<br />
well as tours to the Concha y Toro winery<br />
outside Santiago and the world’s<br />
highest geothermal geyser field at El<br />
Tatio. And there were, <strong>of</strong> course, plenty<br />
<strong>of</strong> additional opportunities to to sample<br />
the Chilean culture and nightlife along<br />
the way.<br />
Thanks to Barrick Gold and Lumina<br />
Copper for providing financial support<br />
for the tour. Advice regarding logistics<br />
in Chile was provided by Bill Chavez,<br />
Dick Tosdal, and by staff and students<br />
at Universidad Católica del Norte in<br />
Ant<strong>of</strong>agasta—in particular, Benigno<br />
Godoy and Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Thomas Bissig.<br />
The mine tours <strong>of</strong>fered by staff from<br />
CODELCO, Phelps Dodge, BHP Billiton,<br />
Mina Guanaco, and Meridian Gold<br />
were superb.<br />
Field trip participants pose in underground tour gear at Codelco’s El Teniente mine.<br />
� UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA �<br />
Katherine and the Nitmiluk (Katherine<br />
Gorge) National Park.<br />
A day’s drive south and east followed<br />
as the group travelled out to Cape Crawford<br />
to visit first the Merlin diamond field<br />
and then the giant HYC McArthur River<br />
Zn-Pb-Ag mine. Another day’s drive west<br />
and south, and the group arrived in the<br />
historic town <strong>of</strong> Tennant Creek and visited<br />
the Chariot Gold iron-oxide coppergold<br />
(IOCG) deposit. The last day <strong>of</strong> the<br />
trip involved a visit to the Devil’s<br />
Marbles enroute to Alice Springs.<br />
The trip was sponsored by the<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>,<br />
Inc, CODES Centre <strong>of</strong> Excellence,<br />
Anglo American Exploration Pty<br />
Ltd, Boyer Exploration & Resource<br />
Management Pty Ltd, CopperCo<br />
Ltd, Gravity Diamonds Ltd,<br />
Newcrest Mining Ltd, Oxiana Ltd,<br />
TasGold Ltd, and the Northern<br />
Territory Minerals Council (Inc).<br />
The organizing committee (Bryan<br />
Bowden, Rod Maier, Steven Lewis<br />
and Paul Cromie) would also like to<br />
thank Ian Scrimgeour, Phil Ferenczi, Rod<br />
Elvish, John Earthrowl, Simon<br />
Slesarewich, Scott Hall, Angela Gepp,<br />
Peter Tamaduk, Chris Sjoberg, Emily<br />
Logan, Tom Reddicliffe, Heath Gerritsen,<br />
Nick Spanswick, Ian Blucher, and Brad<br />
Parker.<br />
Bryan Bowden<br />
Leader – Top End Geo-Explorer Tour<br />
Hobart, Tasmania<br />
“Top-End” group members gather for a photo outside<br />
the Chariot Gold deposit at Tennant Creek.<br />
Look for more student news on the <strong>SEG</strong> website:
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 19<br />
$130,000 AVAILABLE FOR STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS IN 2006<br />
More than US$130,000 will be available from the <strong>SEG</strong> Foundation and the <strong>SEG</strong> Canada Foundation for Student Grants<br />
in 2006. The grants are to provide support for graduate student research projects leading to Master’s or Doctoral degrees, and<br />
for exceptional BS Honors or “BS Titulo” projects. Individual grants will range up to $5,000, although larger amounts may<br />
be made for particularly meritorious projects. Students in mineral resource study programs throughout the world are eligible<br />
and encouraged to apply. Application forms may be down-loaded from the <strong>SEG</strong> website:<br />
<br />
and may be submitted for any one <strong>of</strong> the awards, but will be considered for all awards. Applications must be postmarked no<br />
later than February 1, 2006, and awards will be announced by April 30, 2006.<br />
Hugh E. McKinstry Fund. $80,000 will be available from this Fund to support “study, research and teaching<br />
<strong>of</strong> the science <strong>of</strong> economic geology, or for related projects”, including field or laboratory research by graduate<br />
students or geologists on study-leave from their employment.<br />
Hickok-Radford Fund. One or two grants ranging up to $10,000 will be awarded to support field-based<br />
research, as applied to exploration for metallic mineral deposits, for projects located in Alaska, northern<br />
Canada and other regions north <strong>of</strong> Latitude 60 North, or for projects at very high elevations elsewhere and<br />
extreme southern latitudes. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time program <strong>of</strong> study at a degree-granting<br />
university or college. Consideration will be given to an applicant’s record <strong>of</strong> leadership and extracurricular<br />
activities, including athletics.<br />
Newmont Mining Corp. Grants. $15,000 will be available in 2005 to support research projects worldwide<br />
related to the geology, mineralization and metallogeny <strong>of</strong> gold deposits. Emphasis is placed on research with a<br />
strong field component, with funds available for directly related laboratory work. Several individual grants <strong>of</strong><br />
$3,000 to $5,000 each will be made.<br />
Hugo Dummett Mineral Discovery Fund. Up to $5,000 will be available to support applied economic geology<br />
research, including the development <strong>of</strong> new exploration technology and techniques, and the dissemination <strong>of</strong><br />
related results through publications, lectures, short courses, workshops, and conferences.<br />
Alberto Terrones L. Fund. $10,000 will be available to provide financial support to one or two qualifying students<br />
from Mexico, Peru and other Latin American countries to pursue graduate studies leading to an MS or<br />
PhD degree at universities in the U.S. or Canada. The grants may be used for tuition costs, university fees, to<br />
support thesis research, or for any other bonafide expense directly related to pursuing a graduate study program<br />
in applied economic geology or geological engineering while regularly enrolled as a graduate student at an<br />
MS or PhD degree-granting university.<br />
Timothy Nutt Memorial Fund. Grants from this fund will range up to $1,000 to provide financial support for<br />
geology students and young economic geologists located in Zimbabwe or in Southern Africa with ties to<br />
Zimbabwe. The fund may be used to support <strong>SEG</strong> student chapter activities, travel to meetings, field trips, and<br />
for research or study grants, technical lectures or any other activities approved by the <strong>SEG</strong> Regional Vice<br />
President for Africa.<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> Canada Foundation Fund. Grants from this fund will exceed C$12,500 to<br />
support research studies by Canadian or non-Canadian students on mineral deposits or districts in Canada;<br />
non-Canadian projects at Canadian Universities; non-Canadian students studying at Canadian universities, or<br />
Canadian students doing research at foreign universities.<br />
How to Apply: Awards are intended to fund specific expenses related to student research projects leading to the aforementioned<br />
degrees or courses <strong>of</strong> study. The awards are competitive are based primarily on project merit. Students in mineral resource<br />
study programs throughout the world are eligible and encouraged to apply. Applicants must describe what the project is, why<br />
the research is important and how it is to be done, and include an appropriate estimate <strong>of</strong> expenses that will be incurred.<br />
Applicants requesting financial support from the Alberto Terrones L. Fund for non-research expenses must include a statement<br />
describing the need and purposes <strong>of</strong> such request. For further information contact:<br />
Chairman<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Student Research Grants<br />
7811 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127 USA<br />
Tel: +1.720.981.7204; Fax: +1.720.981.7874<br />
E-mail: seg@segweb.org<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS
<strong>SEG</strong> NEWS<br />
20 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
Editor’s note: Part I <strong>of</strong> the report on the gold forum, covering Carlin-type deposits, was written by Greg Arehart and appeared in the<br />
July Newsletter. This second part, on the Witwatersrand, was contributed by Laurence Robb.<br />
A large audience <strong>of</strong> several hundred<br />
attended the much-anticipated debate<br />
on the origin <strong>of</strong> the Witwatersrand gold<br />
and uranium deposits in South<br />
Africa…testimony to the fascination<br />
that this mother <strong>of</strong> all gold fields still<br />
holds for the economic geology community<br />
at large. Ironically, it was a<br />
hydrothermal quartz vein in the West<br />
Rand Group near Roodepoort from<br />
which the very first gold was extracted<br />
in the Wits Basin….this was by the<br />
Streuben brothers a few years prior to<br />
the discovery <strong>of</strong> conglomerate-hosted<br />
gold, on the Ridge <strong>of</strong> White Waters, by<br />
George Harrison and George Walker in<br />
1886.<br />
Right from the very beginnings <strong>of</strong><br />
mining, it was clear that an understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> the occurrence <strong>of</strong> gold, and<br />
its origin, was no simple matter. As<br />
long ago as 1917, Robert Burns Young,<br />
in his book The Banket <strong>of</strong> South African<br />
Gold Fields, described the authigenic<br />
character <strong>of</strong> gold within what was<br />
clearly a fossilized, heavy mineral-bearing<br />
gravel placer. And so it is, still in<br />
the year 2005, that geologists continue<br />
to argue about the nature <strong>of</strong> the gold<br />
and its origin, either as detrital particles<br />
sourced from a hinterland that must<br />
itself have been fabulously rich in primary<br />
gold deposits, or hydrothermal<br />
precipitates from a fluid—it, too, either<br />
very voluminous or extraordinarily<br />
enriched in the precious metal.<br />
The Reno debate started <strong>of</strong>f with a<br />
talk by Hartwig Frimmel, who presented<br />
the case for the modified placer point <strong>of</strong><br />
view. This notion is based on the existence<br />
in the basin <strong>of</strong> flat, rounded and<br />
“peened” grains that are interpreted as<br />
detrital gold toroids. This gold was initially<br />
concentrated by hydrodynamic<br />
processes during sedimentation and<br />
then substantially dissolved and remobilized<br />
by later fluids flowing through<br />
the sediments. It was shown that there<br />
must have been at least 2 episodes <strong>of</strong><br />
fluid flow, resulting in the re-precipitation<br />
<strong>of</strong> gold and pyrite as authigenic<br />
particles within the conglomerates. The<br />
argument in favor <strong>of</strong> a purely<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Forum on Gold Deposits: Part II<br />
May 14, 2005 • Reno, Nevada<br />
Laurence J. Robb (<strong>SEG</strong> 1985 F) Greg B. Arehart (<strong>SEG</strong> 1988 F)<br />
Report on the Witwatersrand Debate<br />
hydrothermal introduction <strong>of</strong> gold was<br />
presented by Neil Phillips, whose model<br />
invokes early circulation <strong>of</strong> diagenetic/meteoric<br />
fluids with hydrocarbon<br />
generation, followed by a pre-Platberg<br />
(the Platberg volcanics form part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
flood basaltic succession that immediately<br />
overlies the Witwatersrand sediments<br />
at 2709 Ma) introduction <strong>of</strong><br />
metamorphogenic fluid that sulfidized<br />
the “black sand” heavy mineral suite<br />
that had accumulated during sedimentation<br />
and also precipitated gold. The<br />
essential differences between the 2 viewpoints<br />
are that the modified placer<br />
model requires initial accumulation <strong>of</strong><br />
detrital gold grains, with later modification,<br />
whereas the hydrothermal model<br />
does not recognize the presence <strong>of</strong> allogenic<br />
gold and mineralization is essentially<br />
by precipitation from a fluid<br />
phase.<br />
What followed these two presentations<br />
was a combination <strong>of</strong> audience<br />
questions and comments, interspersed<br />
with brief presentations by each <strong>of</strong> five<br />
panel members, themselves experts on<br />
the Witwatersrand Basin. David Groves<br />
initiated the discussion by questioning<br />
the discrepancy between the very large<br />
scale alteration halos around putative<br />
fluid conduits and the mineralization<br />
that occurs at a more limited scale and<br />
is restricted to the thin conglomerate<br />
horizons. He also posed the question as<br />
to what exactly was the hydrothermal<br />
model, pointing out that its proponents<br />
did not seem to agree on the timing <strong>of</strong><br />
the principal ore fluid circulation event.<br />
John Chesley also spoke in favor <strong>of</strong> a<br />
detrital origin <strong>of</strong> gold by summarizing<br />
the recent Re-Os isotope dating and<br />
characterization <strong>of</strong> gold and pyrite in<br />
the basin. This data, although itself<br />
controversial—as pointed out by<br />
Jonathan Law—is interpreted to indicate<br />
an unusual mantle source for the<br />
gold and its introduction as detrital particles<br />
at a time that preceded the end <strong>of</strong><br />
sedimentation in the basin. Proponents<br />
<strong>of</strong> the hydrothermal view, such as Andy<br />
Barnicoat, re-emphasized the ubiquity<br />
<strong>of</strong> alteration assemblages and pointed<br />
to evidence showing that the latter are<br />
intimately associated with both gold<br />
and uraninite, <strong>of</strong>ten in fractures within<br />
the conglomerate packages. Vic Wall<br />
provided evidence for a fluid circulation<br />
and mineralizing event in post-<br />
Transvaal times (i.e., later than ca.<br />
2550 Ma) and drew interesting analogies<br />
between the Au-U-C-PGM association<br />
in the Witwatersrand and a similar<br />
association in Proterozoic unconformity-related<br />
uranium deposits.<br />
Audience participation was lively<br />
and the four hours allocated to the<br />
debate passed by in a flash. No vote<br />
was taken at the end <strong>of</strong> proceedings<br />
and it is difficult to say which way the<br />
body <strong>of</strong> opinion swayed. Is there more<br />
consensus now about the origin <strong>of</strong> this<br />
most enigmatic <strong>of</strong> deposits than there<br />
was in the past? The answer is probably<br />
yes, in that more is known about the<br />
processes involved and also because<br />
proponents <strong>of</strong> the two models do agree<br />
on a wide range <strong>of</strong> issues. A fundamental<br />
division, nevertheless, still remains—<br />
namely, that <strong>of</strong> whether a fertile hinterland<br />
existed from which pyrite, gold,<br />
and uraninite detritus was sourced. The<br />
morphology <strong>of</strong> grains is not sufficient,<br />
in the view <strong>of</strong> some, to provide a conclusive<br />
answer to this question.<br />
Hundreds <strong>of</strong> zircons have now been<br />
individually dated and provide<br />
unequivocal indications <strong>of</strong> the age and<br />
location <strong>of</strong> the source <strong>of</strong> clastic sediment<br />
in the depository. The eventual<br />
answers to the Witwatersrand debate<br />
may also have to come from well-constrained<br />
and more accurate ages <strong>of</strong> key<br />
minerals such as pyrite, uraninite, and<br />
gold. The writer for one is fervent in the<br />
hope that we will have such answers<br />
well before the last bucket <strong>of</strong> ore is<br />
extracted from this phenomenal set <strong>of</strong><br />
deposits. 1
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 21<br />
AFRICA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Judith Kinnaird (<strong>SEG</strong> 2002)<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Regional Vice President Africa<br />
School <strong>of</strong> Geosciences<br />
University <strong>of</strong> the Witwatersrand, South Africa<br />
Tel: +27 11 7176583<br />
Fax +27 11 7176579<br />
Email: kinnairdj@geosciences.wits.ac.za<br />
With contributions from<br />
Dr. Stephen Frindt<br />
Geological Survey, Namibia<br />
COTE D’IVOIRE<br />
Cluff Gold bought the exploration data<br />
covering the Mt. Yaoure licence. This<br />
includes drill assay results from drilling<br />
completed around the Angovia mine,<br />
from the previous licence-holder<br />
Comincor. Internal company reports by<br />
Comincor indicate a resource <strong>of</strong> 90,000<br />
t at a grade <strong>of</strong> 3.7 g/t, based on drilling<br />
completed in 2002.<br />
GHANA<br />
Golden Star Resources announced that<br />
the plant at Wassa gold mine is now<br />
operating at its design capacity <strong>of</strong><br />
10,000 tpd. The standby powerhouse<br />
was recently upgraded to supply sufficient<br />
power while connections to the<br />
national grid are being completed.<br />
MADAGASCAR<br />
Rio Tinto announced the approval <strong>of</strong> a<br />
US$585M mineral sands operation and<br />
port. First production in the Fort<br />
Dauphin region is expected in late<br />
2008 and initial capacity will be<br />
750,000 tpa <strong>of</strong> ilmenite. The development<br />
is the largest project in<br />
Madagascar’s history and will be the<br />
catalyst for broader economic development<br />
in the region. With a grade <strong>of</strong><br />
60% titanium dioxide, the Madagascar<br />
orebody is the largest known undeveloped<br />
high-grade mine, according to Rio<br />
Tinto.<br />
MALI<br />
Randgold Resources, the Malian gold<br />
producer, approved a US$100M underground<br />
project at its open-cast Loulo<br />
mine.<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
NAMIBIA<br />
Navachab gold mine (AngoGold<br />
Ashanti Ltd) situated in central-western<br />
Namibia, was developed in the late<br />
1980s and was interpreted as a skarn<br />
deposit with a life <strong>of</strong> mine until 2003.<br />
However, with the discovery <strong>of</strong> the significance<br />
<strong>of</strong> associated sheeted auriferous<br />
quartz veins and the reinterpretation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the deposit as a mesothermal<br />
gold deposit, exploration located additional<br />
resources both in the hanging<br />
wall and the footwall. This increased<br />
life <strong>of</strong> mine to 2013 and, pending on<br />
the economic conditions, there is a<br />
chance <strong>of</strong> extending it even further.<br />
Namibia Stone Processing (NSP)<br />
plant, situated in the town <strong>of</strong> Omaruru,<br />
is one <strong>of</strong> the biggest dimension stone<br />
processing facilities in southern Africa.<br />
NSP is a black economic empowerment<br />
initiative, which was inaugurated by<br />
the Namibian President Hifikepunye<br />
Pohamba on July 20, 2005. The plant,<br />
built at a cost <strong>of</strong> N$50M, will process<br />
granite and marble tiles derived from<br />
local quarries as well as darker varieties<br />
<strong>of</strong> dimensions stone from Angola,<br />
Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The plant<br />
will employ between 70 and 100 people,<br />
with staff to be trained by Italian<br />
experts in stone processing, especially<br />
for marble tiles. The plant houses 2<br />
granite gangue saws, 2 granite block<br />
cutters, 2 marble block cutters and 1<br />
marble gangue saw. At full capacity the<br />
plant will produce some 3,000 m 2 <strong>of</strong><br />
polished tiles per machine per month.<br />
The market is currently aimed at local<br />
and SADC countries, in future the company<br />
plans to expand their market to<br />
include European, American and<br />
Middle and Far Eastern countries.<br />
Vancouver-based junior, Helio<br />
Resource Corp, through its 100%<br />
owned Namibian subsidiary BAFEX<br />
Exploration, is currently exploring for<br />
copper and gold in northern Namibia.<br />
Helio has just completed a first-pass RC<br />
and diamond drilling program on the<br />
Otjitombo project, where significant<br />
intersections including 39.82 m @<br />
1.03% Cu and 0.12 g/t Au, 32 m @<br />
0.97% Cu & 0.11 g/t Au and 22 m @<br />
1.06% Cu, and 0.26 g/t Au have been<br />
reported, with numerous assays still<br />
pending. Elsewhere Helio has entered<br />
into a significant option agreement<br />
with Teck Cominco whereby Teck can<br />
earn up to a 75% interest on delivery <strong>of</strong><br />
a feasibility study on the Vredelus gold<br />
prospect. Helio is also active exploring a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> IOCG prospects in the north<br />
<strong>of</strong> the country, two <strong>of</strong> these are in conjunction<br />
with fellow Vancouver Juniors<br />
Boulder Mining Corp and Yale<br />
Resources. Helio is also active in diamond<br />
exploration in Botswana, where<br />
it has optioned the Lokgwabe prospect<br />
to Indicator Minerals. Historic data at<br />
Lokgwabe indicates the presence <strong>of</strong> G10<br />
indicator garnets.<br />
Rössing, the large open-pit uranium<br />
mine producer, which is situated 65 km<br />
inland from the coastal town <strong>of</strong><br />
Swakopmund, started operations in<br />
1976. Rössing is one <strong>of</strong> the largest<br />
open-pit uranium mines in the world<br />
and with solid reserves will continue to<br />
serve the world nuclear energy industry<br />
throughout the world, especially in<br />
Central Europe, North America, and<br />
Southeast Asia. The mine currently<br />
produces about 7.7% <strong>of</strong> the world’s<br />
uranium. In 2004, the life-<strong>of</strong>-mine<br />
plan forecast closure in 2009. However,<br />
they aim to develop and expand their<br />
capacity to deliver value to shareholders<br />
and local stakeholders for the long<br />
term and they are working on plans to<br />
justify extending the mine life to 2017.<br />
On the operations side, production will<br />
be increased to 3,800 t <strong>of</strong> uranium<br />
oxide for 2005 to counteract the negative<br />
economic impacts <strong>of</strong> the “weak”<br />
US dollar, in which Rössing’s uranium<br />
is sold. The work <strong>of</strong> the Rössing<br />
Foundation in the mine’s neighboring<br />
town, Arandis, was expanded as the<br />
Rössing Foundation strives to ensure an<br />
economically independent and selfsustaining<br />
town.<br />
Avdale Namibia (Pty) Ltd is a<br />
wholly owned subsidiary <strong>of</strong> African<br />
Rainbow Minerals (ARM). Thirteen<br />
EPL’s were awarded during 1997, covering<br />
1,060,000 hectares over an area<br />
from Tsumeb in the north to<br />
Otjiwarongo in the south, Outjo in the<br />
west to Grootfontein in the east. This<br />
has now been reduced to four EPL’s covering<br />
308,000 hectares. Copper, zinc,<br />
and gold were initially the main exploration<br />
commodities in the northern<br />
Carbonate platform, northern rift-margin<br />
and Northern Zone <strong>of</strong> the Pan-<br />
African Damara orogen. The terrain is<br />
extensively covered<br />
by a thin calcrete<br />
to page 22 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
22 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 21<br />
veneer (5–20 m thick). The main exploration<br />
methodology was the ground follow-up<br />
<strong>of</strong> targets generated from data<br />
compilation from various airborne<br />
magnetic surveys. Ground follow-up<br />
consisted <strong>of</strong> ground magnetic surveys,<br />
Gradient array IP surveys, “RAB”, RC,<br />
and core drilling. This resulted in the<br />
discovery <strong>of</strong> the Otjikoto gold deposit,<br />
which is a sheeted vein system hosted<br />
by albitized rocks. This deposit has<br />
many similarities to the deposit being<br />
mined at the Navachab Gold Mine. To<br />
date some 40% <strong>of</strong> the approximately<br />
US$9M spent on the project was<br />
expended on detailed work carried out<br />
at the Otjikoto deposit which was a<br />
greenfields discovery made by Avdale.<br />
In the next year the company plans to<br />
spend US$3-4M on exploration over its<br />
four EPL’s. Regional exploration will<br />
focus on the ground follow-up <strong>of</strong> targets<br />
generated from an airborne electromagnetic<br />
and magnetic (AEM) survey that<br />
was completed earlier the year using<br />
the Spectrum 2000 AEM System. This<br />
survey covered some 70 km <strong>of</strong> strike <strong>of</strong><br />
the target host package. This high-resolution<br />
survey was flown at a 200-m line<br />
spacing. Work at the Otjikoto will focus<br />
on extending the current resource base<br />
and the follow-up exploration targets in<br />
the immediate vicinity <strong>of</strong> the deposit.<br />
TANZANIA<br />
Barrick Gold has started production at<br />
the new Tuklawaka mine in Tanzania.<br />
Barrick and Falconbridge have<br />
finalized a joint venture agreement<br />
regarding the Kabanga nickel deposit.<br />
Falconbridge has acquired a 50% indirect<br />
interest for US$15M and will be the<br />
operator <strong>of</strong> the joint venture.<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
(303) 284-2646<br />
TUNISIA<br />
Albidon reports the discovery <strong>of</strong> gold<br />
mineralization at Kef El Agueb in northwest<br />
Tunisia on the Nefze project.<br />
Samples have defined a strike length <strong>of</strong><br />
at least 5 km. Rock sample values<br />
ranged up to 1g/t Au in preliminary<br />
sampling and soil values up to 0.5 g/t.<br />
Some soil samples also have up to 1.1%<br />
Cu.<br />
SOUTH AFRICA<br />
Aflease is proceeding with two shallow,<br />
low-risk, high-margin gold projects,<br />
Bonanza South and Modder East. At<br />
Bonanza South, the mine design was<br />
based on an annual production <strong>of</strong><br />
35,000 oz, but this may increase to<br />
50,000 oz within two years. Mining is<br />
planned to extend to a depth <strong>of</strong> 220 m<br />
to exploit two <strong>of</strong> the four gold-bearing<br />
reefs. It is planned to produce the first<br />
bar <strong>of</strong> gold in the near future. The<br />
Modder East project on the East Rand<br />
about 5 km north <strong>of</strong> Springs, is set to<br />
mine the Black Reef, which has grade<br />
<strong>of</strong> 5.3 g/t. In addition, they are developing<br />
the Dominion uranium project 25<br />
km southwest <strong>of</strong> Klerksdorp.<br />
Anglo Platinum’s big three platinum<br />
mines in the Bushveld Complex—<br />
Amandelbult, Rustenburg, and<br />
Union—showed lower production and<br />
higher costs for the half year to June<br />
compared with the corresponding<br />
period last year. But the chief executive<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world’s largest platinum producer,<br />
Ralph Havenstein, says<br />
turnarounds take time and they anticipate<br />
much improved figures for 2006.<br />
AfriOre reports drill assay results<br />
from holes ZF6 and MO3 on the<br />
Akanani platinum project on the<br />
Platreef in the northern limb <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Bushveld Complex. Significant intersections<br />
were reported from hole MO3.<br />
The widest at 23.86 m starts at 1319.97<br />
m down hole and averages 2.52 g/t Pt,<br />
3.18 g/t Pd, 0.16 g/t Rh, and 0.36 g/t<br />
Au, or collectively, 6.22 g/t 4E. Included<br />
within this intersection is a 5.1 m interval<br />
grading 12.72 g/t 4E. Hole ZF6 also<br />
returned significant results, including<br />
43.94 m, starting at 1019 m, averaging<br />
4.1 g/t 4E, including a 7.87 m intersection<br />
grading 6.17 g/t 4E. In addition to<br />
hole ZF9, which has achieved the first<br />
downdip intersection <strong>of</strong> the Platreef unit<br />
on the Akanani property, there are currently<br />
five other drill holes are in<br />
progress on the project area, as part <strong>of</strong><br />
the second phase <strong>of</strong> drilling. These comprise<br />
drill hole ZF8, which has intersected<br />
the upper contact <strong>of</strong> the Platreef<br />
unit at a down-the-hole depth <strong>of</strong> 889 m,<br />
and drill holes ZF10, ZF11, MO5 and<br />
MO6.<br />
Kumba Resources has introduced<br />
new jigging technology on the Sishen<br />
Exploration project which will have a<br />
plant capacity <strong>of</strong> 10 Mt/y. This will<br />
allow the iron-ore producer to process<br />
lower grade ore that is not amenable to<br />
the existing heavy minerals separation.<br />
The ore that is being currently mined<br />
has a cut<strong>of</strong>f grade <strong>of</strong> 60% Fe but the<br />
cut<strong>of</strong>f for the new jigging equipment<br />
will be 50%. The capacity to process the<br />
lower grade material will have a major<br />
impact on mining costs over the longer<br />
term and allow the company to keep<br />
the stripping ratio <strong>of</strong> about 1.9 over the<br />
life <strong>of</strong> mine.<br />
Lonmin plc, through its wholly<br />
owned subsidiary Lonmin Investments<br />
Canada Inc., completed a compulsory<br />
PROPERTY EVALUATIONS — PROJECT GENERATION<br />
GEOCON, INC.<br />
REGIONAL STUDIES — U.S. AND FOREIGN<br />
RICHARD L. NIELSEN, CONSULTANT<br />
Exploration and Mining Geology<br />
13741 Braun Drive<br />
Golden, CO 80401 Phone/FAX (303) 279-3118<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 23<br />
acquisition <strong>of</strong> all the remaining common<br />
shares <strong>of</strong> Southern Platinum<br />
Corp. and will be named Lonmin<br />
Investments Canada Inc, which will be<br />
a wholly owned subsidiary <strong>of</strong> Lonmin<br />
plc. Lonmin has made significant<br />
progress with mechanization and<br />
automation projects. These will allow<br />
them to mine at a cost below 120 USD<br />
per tonne. The ultra-low pr<strong>of</strong>ile (ULP)<br />
mining method will be used at the<br />
Karee mine, which will ramp up to<br />
37,000 tpm <strong>of</strong> Merensky ore production<br />
by end 2005 and ultimately to 70,000<br />
tpm by mid-2006. In the six months to<br />
March 2005, Lonmin produced 666.303<br />
oz <strong>of</strong> PGM at a cost <strong>of</strong> around<br />
US$400/oz.<br />
ZAMBIA<br />
Albidon has idenitifed a strong electrical<br />
conductor that appears to be contiguous<br />
with nickel sulfide mineralization<br />
in three areas around the Munali<br />
nickel project. The strike length is 900<br />
m and the estimated depth to the top <strong>of</strong><br />
the conductor is 300 to 400 m. Drilling<br />
<strong>of</strong> the target is scheduled to start soon.<br />
Equinox Minerals has mandated a<br />
group <strong>of</strong> lenders to provide a total <strong>of</strong><br />
US$305M in senior and subordinated<br />
project finance facilities for the development<br />
and construction <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Lumwana copper project located in the<br />
northwestern province <strong>of</strong> Zambia. In<br />
addition to the Lumwana senior project<br />
financing, Equinox has mandated<br />
European Investment Bank, which c<strong>of</strong>inanced<br />
the Lumwana bankable feasibility<br />
study to provide further project<br />
financing. Equinox will also be providing<br />
additional equity for the development<br />
and construction <strong>of</strong> the Lumwana<br />
project.<br />
ALASKA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Curtis J. Freeman (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996)<br />
Avalon Development Corp.<br />
P.O. Box 80268<br />
Fairbanks, AK 99708<br />
Tel: 907-<strong>45</strong>7-5159<br />
Fax 907-<strong>45</strong>5-8069<br />
Email: avalon@alaska.net<br />
Website: www.avalonalaska.com<br />
WESTERN ALASKA<br />
Teck Cominco’s Red Dog mine saw<br />
continued strong operating pr<strong>of</strong>its in<br />
the second quarter <strong>of</strong> 2005 as a result <strong>of</strong><br />
strong Zn and Pb prices which averaged<br />
$0.55 and $0.<strong>45</strong> per pound, respectively.<br />
Operating pr<strong>of</strong>it was US$9M versus<br />
an operating pr<strong>of</strong>it <strong>of</strong> $10M in the<br />
same period in 2004. For the quarter,<br />
the mine generated 134.4 tonnes (t) Zn<br />
and 23.7 t Pb in concentrate vs. 138.8<br />
and 25.6 t Zn and Pb, respectively, in<br />
the 2nd quarter <strong>of</strong> 2004.<br />
NovaGold Resources and partner<br />
Placer Dome announced initial drilling<br />
results from its Donlin Creek project.<br />
The 2005 program included a 27,000-m<br />
(88,000 ft) drill program with 84 infill,<br />
geotechnical, and condemnation core<br />
holes and 25 condemnation-geotechnical<br />
reverse circulation holes. Detailed<br />
engineering, environmental, and design<br />
studies continued. Highlights included<br />
hole DC05-1013, which intersected 5<br />
mineralized intervals totaling 160.6 m<br />
grading 6.24 gpt Au, DC05-1061, which<br />
intersected 12 mineralized intervals<br />
totaling 226.9 m grading 4.50 gpt Au<br />
and DC05-1062 which intersected 6<br />
mineralized intervals totaling 134.3 m<br />
grading 5.33 gpt Au. Highlighting the<br />
open-ended nature <strong>of</strong> the mineralization<br />
at the ACMA portion <strong>of</strong> the deposit<br />
were holes DC05-1061, which bottomed<br />
in 54.1 m grading 5.12 gpt Au and hole<br />
DC05-1062, which bottomed in 77.3 m<br />
grading 5.24 gpt Au.<br />
St Andrew Goldfields Ltd. announced<br />
additional results from its Nixon Fork<br />
Au project near McGrath. Underground<br />
drilling results from part <strong>of</strong> the 4,973 m<br />
<strong>of</strong> underground drilling completed to<br />
date included intervals ranging from<br />
0.9 m grading 9.6 gpt Au to 1.3 m grading<br />
78 gpt Au. Drilling has confirmed<br />
that the J5A target now extends from<br />
the 380- to the 200-m level <strong>of</strong> the mine,<br />
while the 2204 target extends from the<br />
390- to the 240-m level. Updated<br />
resources for the project were also<br />
released and include total measured<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> 23,400 t grading 36.8 gpt<br />
Au (27,700 oz), indicated resources <strong>of</strong><br />
68,000 t grading 33.2 gpt Au (72,600<br />
oz) and inferred resources <strong>of</strong> 35,000 t<br />
grading 27.7 gpt Au (31,200 oz). The<br />
company indicated that permitting and<br />
engineering work continue with anticipated<br />
start-up <strong>of</strong> operation in late 2005<br />
or early 2006.<br />
Alaska newcomer Metallica<br />
Resources Inc. announced that it had<br />
acquired an option from Full Metal<br />
Minerals to earn a 65% interest in the<br />
latter’s Aleutian Islands and Alaska<br />
Peninsula projects by expending $4.5M<br />
in exploration and making cash<br />
payments totaling $250,000 over five<br />
years. Metallica can earn additional<br />
interest by taking properties through<br />
feasibility. The 2005 program already<br />
in progress consists <strong>of</strong> reconnaissance<br />
geological, geochemical and geophysical<br />
surveys on the Pyramid, Zachary<br />
Bay, Kawisgag, San Diego Bay, Bee<br />
Creek, Weasel Mountain and Mallard<br />
Duck Bay porphyry prospects, as well as<br />
on a large epithermal vein system at<br />
the Apollo-Sitka, Shumagin and<br />
Centennial deposits. Welcome to<br />
Alaska, Metallica Resources!<br />
Alaska newcomer Fury Explorations<br />
Ltd. has acquired an option to earn a<br />
<strong>45</strong>% interest in Full Metal Minerals’<br />
Ganes Creek project near Ophir by<br />
incurring exploration expenditures<br />
totaling $3.5M over four years and<br />
making cash and share payments to<br />
Full Metal, totaling $200,000 and<br />
800,000 shares. Additional interest can<br />
be earned by taking the project through<br />
feasibility to production. The target<br />
being explored is the source for the cobble-sized<br />
quartz with sulfide boxwork<br />
and coarse Au which are common in<br />
the district. Welcome to Alaska, Fury<br />
Explorations!<br />
Alaska newcomer Tonogold<br />
Resources, Inc. initial results on the<br />
Nyac gold project in southwestern<br />
Alaska acquired under lease from<br />
Calista Corp. To date over 1,400 samples<br />
have been collected from the<br />
Wallace, Bonanza Ridge, and Bonanza<br />
Creek prospects and four adjacent or<br />
newly recognized areas. Of the 518 surface<br />
geochemical samples reported to<br />
date for the Bonanza Ridge prospect, 58<br />
soil grid samples ranged from 0.105 to<br />
2.86 ppm Au. Seven rock chip samples<br />
taken during grid sampling ranged<br />
from 0.121 to 15.1 ppm Au. One rock<br />
chip sample from the Wallace prospect<br />
reported 7.2 ppm Au. Additional results<br />
are pending. Welcome to Alaska,<br />
Tonogold!<br />
EASTERN INTERIOR<br />
Teck Cominco announced that construction<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Pogo gold mine in<br />
Alaska continues to progress on schedule<br />
except for underground development<br />
work. A construction work force <strong>of</strong><br />
over 400 is currently working on the<br />
site. On June 30 surface construction<br />
was 75% complete with underground<br />
preproduction work 30% complete.<br />
Underground productivity has been<br />
slowed by poor<br />
ground conditions in to page 24 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
24 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 23<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
portions <strong>of</strong> the access drifts. It is anticipated<br />
that the overall project completion<br />
schedule will be met but that the<br />
initial ore feed to the mill will be<br />
trucked rather than conveyed from<br />
underground. Production start-up is<br />
expected in the 1st quarter <strong>of</strong> 2006 with<br />
a phased ramp-up to full production in<br />
the first half <strong>of</strong> 2006. The current estimate<br />
<strong>of</strong> total capital costs for the project<br />
is $321M.<br />
Select Resources Corporation<br />
announced that it has initiated the first<br />
phase <strong>of</strong> its 2005 exploration program<br />
on the Shorty Creek Cu-Au property<br />
near Livengood. The program will consist<br />
<strong>of</strong> an extensive soil sampling survey<br />
over two intrusive-related targets identified<br />
through integration <strong>of</strong> previous surface<br />
work on the property with satellite<br />
imagery, airborne geophysics, regional<br />
geochemistry, and geologic interpretation.<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> approximately 650 soil<br />
samples are expected to be collected<br />
over the two primary targets.<br />
ALASKA RANGE<br />
Alaska newcomer bcMetals<br />
Corporation announced that it had<br />
acquired an option to earn 100% <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Johnson project in the central Alaska<br />
Range. Terms <strong>of</strong> the agreement require<br />
bcMetals to pay $825,000 and incur<br />
$13.5M in exploration expenditures<br />
over five years or complete a Feasibility<br />
Study. Significant prospects include the<br />
Verona Pick prospect massive sulfides<br />
have been discovered with values ranging<br />
up to 21.8% Zn, 5.62% Pb, 32.3 gpt<br />
Ag and 4.97 gpt Au. At the Woody<br />
prospect massive sulfide samples have<br />
returned up to 5.7% Cu, 7.01% Zn,<br />
1.3% Pb, 96.9 gpt Ag, and 5.58 gpt Au.<br />
Copper, Ni, and PGE mineralization<br />
occurs in outcrops at the Emerick<br />
prospect which, has returned values up<br />
to 6.3% Ni, 2.2% Cu, 0.22% cobalt, 1.17<br />
gpt Pt, 2.28 gpt Pd, and at the Forbes<br />
prospect which has returned values up<br />
to 5.4% Ni, 4.13% Cu, 0.11% cobalt, 1.1<br />
gpt platinum, 1.0 gpt Pd. Welcome to<br />
Alaska, bcMetals Corporation!<br />
Nevada Star Resource Corp.<br />
announced commencement <strong>of</strong> exploration<br />
on its MAN Alaska Au project in<br />
the central Alaska Range. The program<br />
includes geologic mapping and geochemical<br />
sampling designed to advance<br />
one or more Au and Cu-Au prospects to<br />
the drill stage for 2006. Significant<br />
occurrences include the Specimen<br />
prospect with rock values up to 6.89 gpt<br />
Au, 15.8 gpt Ag and 15.8% Cu. At the<br />
Gezzi prospect, geochemical values<br />
range up to 3.09 gpt Au, 25.7 gpt Ag<br />
and 6.60% Cu. At Gezzi South, assays<br />
grade up to 2.49 gpt Au, 3.40 gpt Ag,<br />
and 0.50% Cu. At the Broxson Ridge<br />
prospect rock values range up to 5.81<br />
gpt Au, 86.7 gpt Ag, and 2.7% Cu. At<br />
White Marker rock values range up to<br />
3.69 gpt Au, 2.4 gpt Ag, and 0.30% Cu.<br />
Piper Capital Inc. announced the<br />
commencement <strong>of</strong> drilling at its Golden<br />
Zone prospect in the central Alaska<br />
Range. Phase 1 drilling consists <strong>of</strong><br />
approximately 9,000 ft <strong>of</strong> core drilling<br />
in 18 to 20 holes on the Golden Zone<br />
Breccia Pipe, veins, mineralized dikes,<br />
and replacements in the BLT and<br />
Mayflower prospects northeast <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Breccia Pipe and at the Long Creek<br />
prospect located approximately 1.5<br />
miles south <strong>of</strong> the Breccia Pipe. The<br />
company also announced that revised<br />
resource estimates for the Golden Zone<br />
Breccia Pipe have been completed and<br />
include measured and indicated<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> approximately 2,027,000<br />
G.E. McKelvey<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Geologist<br />
Mineral Exploration & Discovery<br />
P.O. Box 1599<br />
6<strong>45</strong>4 Ruin Hill Loop, Lot 57<br />
Pine, Arizona<br />
85544-1599<br />
tons grading 0.106 opt Au, 0.47 opt Ag<br />
and 0.12% Cu (utilizing a 0.05 opt Au<br />
cut<strong>of</strong>f). These resources contain approximately<br />
214,862 oz Au, 948,636 oz Ag<br />
and 24,000 pounds <strong>of</strong> Cu.<br />
NORTHERN ALASKA<br />
NovaGold Resources announced that it<br />
is mobilizing crews to the Ambler and<br />
Khotol projects in northwestern Alaska.<br />
Current plans are to drill over 4,000 m<br />
(13,000 ft) between the projects. At<br />
Ambler, up to 3,000 m <strong>of</strong> core drilling<br />
will be directed at expansion <strong>of</strong> existing<br />
massive sulfide resources. At the Khotol<br />
project, initial exploration has targeted<br />
a series <strong>of</strong> coincident multi-kilometer<br />
scale geophysical and soil geochemical<br />
anomalies in areas with only limited<br />
historic exploration work. The target is<br />
massive to disseminated precious metal<br />
rich poly-metallic replacement mineralization.<br />
SOUTHEASTERN ALASKA<br />
Coeur d’Alene Mines announced that<br />
it had received all <strong>of</strong> the remaining federal<br />
mine permits that it requires to<br />
build and operate its Kensington Au<br />
mine project near Juneau. Receipt <strong>of</strong><br />
these permits from the U.S. Army Corps<br />
<strong>of</strong> Engineers and the U.S.<br />
Environmental Protection Agency clears<br />
the way for start-up <strong>of</strong> project construction.<br />
The company indicated that initial<br />
construction activities would begin in<br />
July. Congratulations, Coeur d’Alene<br />
Mines!<br />
Kennecott (70.3%) and Hecla<br />
(29.7%) announced 2nd quarter 2005<br />
production from the Greens Creek<br />
mine on Admiralty<br />
Island. The cash cost to page 29<br />
per ounce <strong>of</strong> silver at<br />
...<br />
[928] 476-6550<br />
mobile: [602] 769-2480<br />
fax [928] 476-6572<br />
gempress@earthlink.net<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 25<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> 2006 CONFERENCE<br />
Wealth Creation in the Minerals Industry:<br />
Integrating Science, Business, and Education<br />
May 14 –16, 2006, Keystone, Colorado<br />
Conference website: http://www.seg2006.org<br />
Overview: Talks, Trips, Workshops,<br />
Posters, and Student Participation<br />
The oral program is now finalized for the<br />
<strong>Society</strong>’s stand-alone Conference in<br />
Keystone next May. Thirty-seven invited<br />
and volunteered talks will be presented<br />
over 3 days during 12 sessions integrating<br />
the themes <strong>of</strong> science, business, and education<br />
as key elements for wealth creation in<br />
the minerals industry. In addition, more<br />
than 40 abstracts have been accepted for<br />
the Poster Presentation. Six field trips and<br />
seven pre- or post-conference workshops<br />
will round out the technical program for<br />
<strong>SEG</strong>2006. A variety <strong>of</strong> exhibits and scheduled<br />
periods for informal interaction will<br />
ensure a wide range <strong>of</strong> discussion and contacts<br />
outside the technical program.<br />
In addition, the <strong>Society</strong>’s first <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Student Conference will also be held on 13<br />
May in conjunction with <strong>SEG</strong>2006, with the<br />
best posters from this gathering adding to<br />
those <strong>of</strong> the main conference.<br />
Day 1: The Business <strong>of</strong> Exploration<br />
This Conference is coming at a time <strong>of</strong> considerable<br />
challenge for the mining and<br />
exploration industry. Many <strong>of</strong> the issues<br />
which confront the industry today will be<br />
featured at Keystone. A broad-based<br />
resources boom is now underway, driven by<br />
global growth; minerals producers are<br />
reporting record earnings, yet exploration is<br />
not replacing reserves depleted by mining.<br />
This situation leads to numerous questions<br />
which are relevant to members <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>SEG</strong>. How can minerals companies make<br />
better use <strong>of</strong> exploration research as greenfields<br />
discoveries become more difficult to<br />
make? What strategies will producers<br />
employ to keep their resource pipelines<br />
filled in times <strong>of</strong> robust asset prices? Are we<br />
at the top <strong>of</strong> the market or is this the beginning<br />
<strong>of</strong> a much longer rally for resources?<br />
How do we replace the people lost during<br />
the last downswing in the industry, and<br />
how do we keep them in the industry when<br />
the next downward cycle arrives? It is crucial<br />
to answer these questions now in order<br />
for a sustained improvement in the relationships<br />
between explorers and exploration<br />
researchers.<br />
Public funding <strong>of</strong> minerals industry education<br />
and research has been on a long<br />
decline in traditional mining economies<br />
but major miners have only now started to<br />
realize that they need a more strategic<br />
approach to human resource planning.<br />
Booming prices and a renewed rush to<br />
explore for commodities such as uranium,<br />
molybdenum, and iron ore (among many<br />
others) have made explorers impatient<br />
again with the pace <strong>of</strong> community negotiations.<br />
How do we build social competency<br />
and avoid repeating the mistakes <strong>of</strong> the<br />
past? All <strong>of</strong> these questions and more are<br />
featured on Day 1.<br />
Day 2: Generating, Delivering,<br />
and Cooperating<br />
Day 2 will present three topics on the<br />
theme “Generating and Delivering<br />
Wealth.” The first <strong>of</strong> these explores the<br />
relationships between major companies<br />
and junior explorers and the value created<br />
when strategy and good practice allow the<br />
best attributes <strong>of</strong> each partner to be developed.<br />
The second theme, “Geometallurgy,”<br />
is an example <strong>of</strong> what miners are doing to<br />
utilize good science to improve operating<br />
efficiency and restore pr<strong>of</strong>itability. Boom<br />
times inevitably add inflationary pressures<br />
on labor costs and consumables and miners<br />
have <strong>of</strong>ten turned to technology to cope<br />
with these challenges. Geometallurgy, combining<br />
the disciplines <strong>of</strong> orebody geology,<br />
mineral processing, and mining, has<br />
allowed much better interaction on mine<br />
sites between pr<strong>of</strong>essions and better economic<br />
outcomes. In addition to a state <strong>of</strong><br />
the art presentation on geometallurgy, this<br />
session will also include presentations from<br />
operations staff <strong>of</strong> Carlin, Hibbing<br />
Taconite, and Grasberg.<br />
The importance <strong>of</strong> interdisciplinary<br />
cooperation and the productive interaction<br />
among industry, government, and<br />
academia continues into the final session<br />
on Day 2. This includes the Yandal story <strong>of</strong><br />
Western Australia, an excellent example <strong>of</strong><br />
a successful partnership between explorers<br />
and researchers. Placer Dome will also provide<br />
a comparison <strong>of</strong> the economic outcomes<br />
<strong>of</strong> different exploration strategies in<br />
Nevada.<br />
Day 3: Case Histories<br />
Day 3 will feature a selection <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
best wealth creation case histories from the<br />
industry’s most successful companies. What<br />
were the crucial factors <strong>of</strong> geology, human<br />
insight and business opportunity which<br />
drove these successes? These include the discoveries<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Ekati diamond and Oyu<br />
Tolgoi porphyry Cu-Au deposits, as well as<br />
a discussion <strong>of</strong> uranium exploration and<br />
discovery. There will also be a presentation<br />
<strong>of</strong> exploration<br />
strategies by<br />
Codelco, and a<br />
discussion <strong>of</strong> the<br />
use <strong>of</strong> royalties.<br />
JOHN A. S. DOW<br />
(<strong>SEG</strong> 1998 F)<br />
Chairman,<br />
2006 Organizing<br />
Committee<br />
A Venue for Communication<br />
As we contemplate the issues which we<br />
think will shape the near-term future <strong>of</strong> the<br />
discipline <strong>of</strong> economic geology, there is a<br />
growing need for industry and the economic<br />
geology research community to<br />
develop better working relationships. The<br />
recent Gordon Conference on Inorganic<br />
Geochemistry in New Hampshire featured a<br />
forum discussion on the ways in which<br />
exploration managers, government geologists,<br />
and exploration researchers could<br />
communicate better with each other and<br />
develop better working relationships. This<br />
forum was notable for the enthusiasm <strong>of</strong><br />
all parties to participate. Mining companies<br />
have a huge vested interest in ensuring<br />
the continued health <strong>of</strong> the academic<br />
and research community if they are to<br />
develop better orebody models and exploration<br />
techniques, as well as ensure the<br />
vitality <strong>of</strong> faculties that provide teaching<br />
and training in earth science. <strong>SEG</strong>2006 at<br />
Keystone next May promises to be a further<br />
opportunity to continue and develop that<br />
dialogue, formally in sessions, and informally<br />
during social periods.<br />
Industry Support for the Conference<br />
Sponsorship for <strong>SEG</strong>2006 is progressing<br />
well with a number <strong>of</strong> companies committing<br />
to support this Conference at the<br />
Premier Plus ($25,000) level. BHP Billiton<br />
and Newmont have also committed specific<br />
funds to support student participation<br />
from around the world at Keystone. This<br />
will ensure the attendance <strong>of</strong> a strong contingent<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>SEG</strong> student chapter members<br />
and student leaders.<br />
Registration in November<br />
This <strong>SEG</strong> Conference is shaping up to be an<br />
important event for the <strong>Society</strong>, its members,<br />
and, indeed, for all in the industry,<br />
both for the technical, business, and societal<br />
issues that it will address, and for the<br />
cross-disciplinary interaction that it will<br />
foster. On-line registration for <strong>SEG</strong>2006<br />
opens on November 1 and hard-copy registration<br />
forms will be mailed to <strong>SEG</strong> members<br />
in early January. Don’t miss out. Plan<br />
to register early and be there to discuss our<br />
future.
<strong>SEG</strong> 2006 Conference Organizing Committee<br />
John Dow, Chair<br />
Nate Brewer, Jeffrey Hedenquist, Murray Hitzman, Brian Hoal, Eric Nelson<br />
Borden Putnam, Laura Reed, John Thoms<br />
Wealth<br />
Creation<br />
in the Minerals Industry<br />
Integrating Science,<br />
Business, and Education<br />
www.seg2006.org<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> 2006<br />
CONFERENCE<br />
May 14-16, 2006<br />
Keystone, Colorado, USA<br />
Pre- and Post-Conference Workshop Titles<br />
Geochemistry in Mineral Resource Development<br />
Sampling, QA/QC and Exploratory Data Analysis<br />
The Role <strong>of</strong> Geophysics in Wealth Creation<br />
Resource & Reserve Estimation<br />
Managing Exploration Risk<br />
Sustainable Development & The Social License<br />
to Operate<br />
What Constitutes a Bankable Feasibility Study?<br />
Pre- and Post-Conference Field Trips<br />
Bingham, Utah – Carlin, Nevada<br />
Climax, Colorado<br />
Cripple Creek, Colorado<br />
Henderson, Colorado<br />
Lisbon Valley, Utah<br />
Western Slope, Colorado (wine tour)<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong><br />
7811 Shaffer Parkway<br />
Littleton, Colorado 80127-3732 USA<br />
General conference queries:<br />
Tel: +1.720.981.7882<br />
Fax: +1.720.981.7874<br />
E-mail: seg2006@segweb.org<br />
Conference exhibit queries:<br />
Quality Business Services<br />
3110 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 307<br />
Denver, Colorado 80227-4810<br />
Tel: +1.303.914.0694<br />
Fax: +1.303.382.8064<br />
E-mail: dianna@qbs<strong>of</strong>fice.com
DAY 1 – Saturday, May 13, 2006<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Student Chapter<br />
Conference<br />
All day program<br />
Welcoming Cocktails and Exhibits Open<br />
Student Mentoring Event<br />
DAY 2 – Sunday, May 14, 2006<br />
Wealth Creation – The<br />
Business <strong>of</strong> Exploration<br />
Pierre Lassonde, President, Newmont<br />
Mining Corporation<br />
"Exploration – The Life Blood <strong>of</strong> the Mining<br />
Industry"<br />
Charles “Chip” Goodyear, Chief Executive,<br />
BHP Billiton<br />
“The Role <strong>of</strong> Exploration in the Suite <strong>of</strong> Value-<br />
Enhancing Options”<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>f Stanley, Senior Analyst, BMO<br />
Nesbitt Burns<br />
"Exploration – The Perspective <strong>of</strong> Wall Street"<br />
Phillip Crowson, Hon. Pr<strong>of</strong>., Centre for Energy,<br />
Mineral & Petroleum Law & Policy, University<br />
<strong>of</strong> Dundee<br />
“Metals and Minerals: The Past 25 Years”<br />
Richard Schodde, Mineral Economist<br />
Jon Hronsky, Manager-Strategy &<br />
Generative Services, both with Mineral<br />
Exploration Team, BHP Billiton Ltd.<br />
(both formerly from WMC Resources)<br />
"The Role <strong>of</strong> World-Class Deposits in Wealth<br />
Creation"<br />
Tom Albanese, Chief Executive, Copper and<br />
Exploration, Rio Tinto<br />
“The Exploration Philosophy <strong>of</strong> Rio Tinto –<br />
A Longer Term View <strong>of</strong> Value Creation”<br />
Ian Thompson and Susan Joyce, Principals,<br />
On Common Ground Consultants<br />
“Changing Industry Approaches to<br />
Sustainability”<br />
Jeremy Richards, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology, University <strong>of</strong> Alberta<br />
“Sustainable Mining Development in Action:<br />
Rosia Montana, Romania and Nui Phao,<br />
Vietnam”<br />
Leigh Freeman, Downing Teal<br />
Paul Bartos, Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines<br />
Maeve Boland, Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines<br />
“Human Resource Strategies for the Minerals<br />
Industry – Careers, Competencies and<br />
Compensation”<br />
Richard Sillitoe, Consulting <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geologist<br />
John Thompson, Chief Geoscientist, Teck<br />
Cominco<br />
“Changes in Exploration Methods and<br />
Discovery Strategies”<br />
Michael Doggett, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor, Queen’s Univ.<br />
Richard Leveille, President, Phelps Dodge<br />
Exploration Corporation<br />
“Measuring Costs, Risks and Returns from<br />
Exploration – Improving the Success Rate”<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> 2006 Conference Program<br />
Mike Etheridge, Managing Director, Tectonex<br />
Geoconsultants Pty Ltd.<br />
“Management and Evaluation <strong>of</strong> Risk in<br />
Exploration Programs: Adding Value”<br />
Harry Parker, AMEC<br />
“Reserves, Resources and Reconciliation”<br />
DINNER PRESENTATION<br />
Guest Speaker: Randall Oliphant<br />
Chief Executive, Silver Bear Resources<br />
“Exploration: Is the Discovery Really Worth<br />
the Finding?”<br />
DAY 3 – Monday, May 15, 2006<br />
Wealth Creation –<br />
Generating and Delivering<br />
Wealth<br />
Norm Keevil, Chairman, Teck Cominco<br />
“Wealth Creation through Joint Ventures”<br />
William Mercer, Falconbridge<br />
Robert Schafer, Hunter Dickenson<br />
“Exploration Business Strategies and<br />
Relationships within the Major Mining<br />
Company and Junior Exploration Sectors”<br />
Rob McEwen, Chairman, Goldcorp, Inc.<br />
“Challenge and Prosper: The What, Why and<br />
How the Goldcorp Challenge Worked”<br />
Karin Hoal, Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines<br />
Terry McNulty, T.P. McNulty & Associates<br />
Roland Schmidt, Hazen Research<br />
“New Initiatives in GeoMetallurgy”<br />
Mark Johnson, Senior Vice President and<br />
COO, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.<br />
“Grasberg: Process Metallurgical Feedback<br />
into Exploration and Mining”<br />
Andre Douchane, President and CEO, North<br />
American Palladium<br />
“Timing is Everything – Almost: The<br />
Optimization <strong>of</strong> Lac des Iles”<br />
Leroy Schutz, Director, Minesite Exploration,<br />
Newmont Mining Corporation<br />
“Value Creation in Near-Mine Development<br />
Programs at Newmont’s Nevada Gold<br />
Operations”<br />
Michael Orobona, Senior Geologist, Hibbing<br />
Taconite Company<br />
“Exploring the Data – Adding Value with Non-<br />
Traditional Geologic Initiatives on Minnesota’s<br />
Mesabi Range”<br />
Scott Long, Chief Geochemist, AMEC<br />
“Bones <strong>of</strong> Contention – Current Controversies<br />
in Assay Quality Control Practices”<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>f Handley, Executive VP, Strategic<br />
Development, Placer Dome<br />
“Turquoise Ridge and Cortez Hills –<br />
A Contrast in <strong>Economic</strong> Outcomes”<br />
G. Neil Phillips, Former Head <strong>of</strong> CSIRO<br />
Exploration and Mining<br />
“Discovery <strong>of</strong> the Yandal Gold Province:<br />
Integration <strong>of</strong> Empirical and Predictive<br />
Geoscience with Intense Exploration Activity”<br />
Paul Bartos, Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines<br />
“Creating Wealth by Innovation: SX-EW and the<br />
Technology Cycle”<br />
Roger Scoon, Former Director, Exploration<br />
Manager, Platexco, Inc.<br />
“The Merensky and UG2 Reefs at<br />
Winaarshoek: Geologic Overview and Review<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Exploration and Feasibility Programs<br />
<strong>of</strong> Platexco”<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> AWARDS DINNNER<br />
Guest Speaker: Donald Coxe<br />
Global Portfolio Strategist, BMO Financial Group<br />
“Hard Rock Rocks”<br />
DAY 4 – Tuesday, May 16, 2006<br />
Wealth Creation –<br />
Case Histories<br />
Barton J. Suchomel, Principal, Western<br />
Mining Services LLC<br />
“Wealth Creation through Sustained,<br />
Successful Mineral Exploration: The WMC<br />
Experience”<br />
Stephen P. Quin, Executive VP, Miramar Mining<br />
“The Vagaries <strong>of</strong> Wealth Creation through<br />
Acquisition & Exploration: Hope Bay”<br />
Francisco Camus & Sergio L. Rivera, Codelco<br />
“Wealth Creation through Exploration:<br />
The Codelco Experience 1990-2005”<br />
Colin Macdonald, VP Exploration, Cameco<br />
“Uranium Market Fundamentals and<br />
Exploration Success: Cameco’s Strategy”<br />
Robert A. Gannicott, Chairman and CEO,<br />
Aber Diamond Corporation<br />
“Aber Diamond Corporation: Exploration<br />
Success to Holistic Diamond Company”<br />
Guido del Castillo, Chief Executive, Aruntani<br />
SAC<br />
“History <strong>of</strong> Exploration and Development <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Aruntani District”<br />
Steve Aaker, Group Executive, Newmont<br />
Capital<br />
“Creating Value with Royalties”<br />
Ross Beaty, CEO, Lumina Copper<br />
“A Classic Case History <strong>of</strong> Wealth Creation by<br />
a Junior Resource Company, Measured by the<br />
Metric <strong>of</strong> Share Price Growth”<br />
Oliver Warin, VP Exploration, BHP Billiton<br />
(retired)<br />
“The Discovery <strong>of</strong> the Ekati Diamond Deposit”<br />
Doug Kirwin, Executive VP Exploration,<br />
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.<br />
“The Discovery <strong>of</strong> Oyu Tolgoi Cu-Au Deposit”<br />
R. Edward Flood, Deputy Chairman and<br />
Director, Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.<br />
“A Case History: Value Creation at the Oyu<br />
Tolgoi Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits, South<br />
Gobi, Mongolia”<br />
Stephen Enders, Newmont Mining Corporation<br />
Stephen Kesler, University <strong>of</strong> Michigan<br />
John Thompson, Teck Cominco<br />
“Conference Wrap-up”
28 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
Academics, Wealth Creation<br />
and <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Steve Kesler (<strong>SEG</strong> 1976 F)<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Geological Sciences,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Michigan<br />
The upcoming <strong>SEG</strong> stand-alone meeting on Wealth<br />
Creation in the Minerals Industry (May 14–16, 2006,<br />
Keystone, Colorado) is a rare opportunity for ore<br />
deposit academics to prove that the word “economic”<br />
belongs in <strong>SEG</strong>. <strong>SEG</strong>, through both its name and its<br />
membership, is one <strong>of</strong> the few scientific societies that<br />
recognizes the important influence that economic<br />
activity has on teaching and research. Despite this<br />
obvious connection, most <strong>SEG</strong> technical programs<br />
deal with research advances and relegate discussion<br />
about economics and business to the halls. As a<br />
result, many <strong>of</strong> us who do not deal with economic<br />
issues on a day-to-day basis lose touch with the realities<br />
that control what goes on in our science and that<br />
support our activities.<br />
This time, the stage is being reversed and economic<br />
considerations are moving to the front. The value <strong>of</strong><br />
this move should be obvious to academics. We will<br />
get guidance for our own activities by hearing more<br />
about the problems and commodities that are likely<br />
to be <strong>of</strong> greatest interest to industry in the future. We<br />
will also have a chance to influence thinking on<br />
these issues through questions and discussion, while<br />
dealing with even more immediate topics <strong>of</strong> interest<br />
to us, such as student employment and research<br />
funding. <strong>Final</strong>ly, we might incorporate more <strong>of</strong> these<br />
issues into our teaching.<br />
I expect this conference to produce a stronger <strong>SEG</strong><br />
and a cadre <strong>of</strong> academic members with a better<br />
appreciation for our middle name. It might even<br />
lead to ore deposit courses that do as much to prepare<br />
geologists for business and management as<br />
they do to prepare them for exploration and<br />
research. If we can grow along this path, we might<br />
help train the next generation <strong>of</strong> economic geologists<br />
to be better prepared for the real-world mineral<br />
resource challenges that will face them and society.<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> STUDENT CHAPTER<br />
CONFERENCE: MAY 13, 2006<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> is pleased to announce major corporate sponsorship for<br />
students to attend the <strong>SEG</strong> Student Chapter Conference on<br />
May 13, 2006. This conference is an integral part <strong>of</strong> the May<br />
14-16, 2006 <strong>SEG</strong> meeting on “Wealth Creation in the<br />
Minerals Industry” in Keystone, Colorado, USA – students<br />
must register for this meeting as a prerequisite for attending<br />
the Student Chapter Conference. The <strong>Society</strong> will sponsor the<br />
attendance by representatives from more than 40 <strong>SEG</strong> student<br />
chapters worldwide as well as selected students from countries<br />
that do not yet have student chapter representation. Other<br />
students will also be eligible for financial assistance and discounts.<br />
The conference will include poster presentations by<br />
students and breakout sessions where students prepare several<br />
white papers focusing on how the <strong>SEG</strong> can better serve students<br />
worldwide.<br />
Students will be chosen by the Student Conference Selection<br />
Committee on the basis <strong>of</strong> 1,000-word abstracts on their<br />
research (submitted to Students2006@segweb.org) and willingness<br />
to present a poster at the main Keystone meeting<br />
(May 14–16). Please note that abstracts need not be directly<br />
related to the theme “Wealth Creation in the Minerals<br />
Industry” but must be submitted not later than the revised<br />
deadline <strong>of</strong> November 30, 2005. Successful applicants will<br />
be required to provide digital copies <strong>of</strong> their posters by<br />
March 1, 2006. We are planning on several avenues <strong>of</strong><br />
financial assistance for students – up to $2,000 in travel<br />
grants, a 75% discount in registration fees, and a significant<br />
subsidy for hotel accommodation.<br />
Requirements: Students who wish to be considered for<br />
support to attend the conference should meet the following<br />
requirements:<br />
• be registered full-time at an accredited university or college<br />
• preferably belong to an <strong>SEG</strong> Student Chapter, or be based in<br />
a country that is not represented by an <strong>SEG</strong> Student<br />
Chapter – see list <strong>of</strong> current student chapters at www.<br />
segweb.org/StudentChapters.htm<br />
• be an <strong>SEG</strong> student member, or have applied for <strong>SEG</strong> student<br />
membership<br />
• be able to understand and speak English<br />
This conference represents an unparalleled<br />
career opportunity for students.<br />
We expect high attendance at Keystone,<br />
so start planning now!
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 29<br />
... from 24<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
Greens Creek for the quarter was $0.87,<br />
a twenty-cent per ounce increase compared<br />
to the 2nd quarter <strong>of</strong> 2004. The<br />
average grade <strong>of</strong> ore mined during the<br />
quarter was 17.74 oz Ag per ton, up<br />
nearly 1.5 opt over the same period in<br />
2004. During the second quarter the<br />
mine produced 2,556,989 oz Ag, 20,013<br />
oz Au, 6,148 tons Pb and 18,086 tons<br />
Zn. Total production costs for the quarter<br />
were $3.54/oz Ag produced, unchanged<br />
over the year previous figures.<br />
Quaterra Resources announced that<br />
drilling had begun at its Duke Island<br />
Cu-Ni-PGE project near Ketchikan. At<br />
least six 500- to 1,000-ft-deep holes will<br />
be drilled on the Marquis, Potato Patch<br />
and Raven targets identified by recently<br />
completed gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic<br />
surveys. Geological and<br />
geophysical data suggest these<br />
prospects lie within a mineralized system<br />
that extends for over 14.5 km along<br />
strike and up to 3.8 km across strike<br />
with the ultimate dimensions <strong>of</strong> the<br />
mineralized system remaining open to<br />
expansion.<br />
Freegold Ventures and joint venture<br />
partner Pacific North West Capital<br />
announced that 10,000 ft or diamond<br />
core drilling had been completed at its<br />
Union Bay PGE project near Ketchikan.<br />
The program tested a number <strong>of</strong> magnetic<br />
targets but did not identify significant<br />
Pt mineralization. Funding partner<br />
Lonmin Plc. has elected to terminate its<br />
interest in the project.<br />
ASIA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Craig A. Feebrey (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996 F)<br />
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National<br />
Corporation (JOGMEC)<br />
Calle Evaristo Lillo 112, Piso 9<br />
Las Condes, Santiago, Chile<br />
E-mail: feebrey@terra.cl<br />
CHINA<br />
China Diamond Corp., in partnership<br />
with Shandong Physical Exploration<br />
Institute (SPEI), has identified four<br />
anomalous zones on their Huixian Au-<br />
Cu Project in Shandong province as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> their first phase <strong>of</strong> exploration<br />
which includes ground geophysics, geological<br />
mapping, and more than 8,000<br />
soil samples. The anomalies are all<br />
located around the past-producing<br />
Huixian mine.<br />
Dynasty Gold Corp. (80%) in partnership<br />
with Xinjiang Non-Ferrous<br />
Metals Co. Ltd. (20%) has reported an<br />
inferred resource <strong>of</strong> 16.9 Mt @ 1.68 g/t<br />
Au for the Qi-2 deposit on the Hatu<br />
property located in the Tian Shan belt<br />
<strong>of</strong> NW China. Qi-2 is located 7 km west<br />
<strong>of</strong> the operating Qi-1 gold mine.<br />
Golden China Resources has been<br />
actively drilling its Nibao gold project,<br />
located in Guizhou province. Drilling<br />
has focused on Nibao East and Nibao<br />
South with 5,302 m <strong>of</strong> 15,000 m completed<br />
to date. At Nibao East, fence<br />
drilling has confirmed continuous gold<br />
mineralization along a strike length <strong>of</strong><br />
at least 500 m. Significant intersections<br />
to date include hole NBDDH047, 30 m<br />
@ 1.75 g/t Au from 50 m; hole<br />
NBDDH132, 15 m @ 2.55 g/t Au from<br />
87 m; hole NBDDH133, 58 m @ 1.88 g/t<br />
Au from 100 m; and hole NBDDH134,<br />
34 m @ 2.05 g/t Au from 67 m. At<br />
Nibao South, about 2.5 km SW <strong>of</strong> Nibao<br />
East, drilling to date has outlined a gold<br />
zone with a strike length <strong>of</strong> at least 1.2<br />
km. Significant intersections to date<br />
include hole NBDDH131, 7.96 m @ 1.76<br />
g/t Au from 64 m; hole NBDDH151,<br />
14.96 m @ 4.06 g/t Au from 88 m; hole<br />
NBDDH164, 12 m @ 12.87 g/t Au from<br />
2 m; hole NBDDH170, 11.88 m @ 4.68<br />
g/t Au from 33 m; and hole<br />
NBDDH172, 14 m @ 2.<strong>45</strong> g/t Au from<br />
30 m.<br />
Continental Minerals (60%) and<br />
China NetTV Holdings (40%) completed<br />
the first seven holes <strong>of</strong> a 10,000m<br />
program on their Xietongmen porphyry<br />
Cu-Au project, located 240 km<br />
southwest <strong>of</strong> Lhasa, Tibet. The holes are<br />
being drilled to test previous results.<br />
Better intersections include hole 5004,<br />
141.5 m @ 0.7% Cu and 0.77 g/t Au<br />
from 46.5 m; hole 5006, 102.9 m @<br />
0.71% Cu and 0.99 g/t Au from 18.7 m;<br />
and hole 5003, 24.1 m @ 0.92% Cu and<br />
2.47 g/t Au from 99.1 m.<br />
Orchid Capital has entered into an<br />
agreement with the China Tibet<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Geology Survey (CTIGS)<br />
with rights to an 80% interest in the Qu<br />
Long and Jia Ma copper projects in<br />
Tibet. Orchid Capital will fund exploration<br />
and a full feasibility study to<br />
earn its right. The porphyry-Cu Qu<br />
Long project is located 60 km east <strong>of</strong><br />
Lhasa, whereas the Jia Ma Cu-skarn<br />
project is located 6 km north <strong>of</strong> Qu<br />
Long.<br />
Pacific Minerals has completed a private<br />
placement <strong>of</strong> US$3M with Ivanhoe<br />
Mines, who now owns16.5% <strong>of</strong> the former’s<br />
share capital. Part <strong>of</strong> the funds<br />
will be used to explore the JBS platinum<br />
group metals deposit in Yunnan and<br />
the 217 gold project in Inner Mongolia.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines has also signed a jointventure<br />
agreement with Inner<br />
Mongolia Huayu Geology and<br />
Minerals Exploration Co. Ltd to<br />
explore and mine in Inner Mongolia.<br />
Ivanhoe has the right to earn an 80%<br />
interest in exploration and mining<br />
licenses covering a 400-km2 area.<br />
Silk Road Resources Ltd. has completed<br />
six DD holes totaling 1,319.4 m<br />
on its Sangqu prospect, Gansu Province.<br />
The program tested gold mineralization<br />
associated with quartz-carbonate-sulfide<br />
vein stockworks and hydrothermal breccias<br />
hosted in Triassic sediments. Better<br />
results included hole SAN-05-2, 21 m @<br />
1.32 g/t Au from 40 m; hole SAN-05-5,:<br />
31 m @ 0.73 g/t Au from 120 m; and<br />
hole SAN-05-6, 10 m @ 0.97 g/t Au from<br />
64 m. Three drill holes are planned on<br />
the Diloutang prospect.<br />
Southwestern Resources Corp. has<br />
completed a preliminary resource<br />
assessment on the Boka Gold Project<br />
located in Yunnan Province. The<br />
reported indicated and inferred mineral<br />
resources for Boka-1 and Boka-7 targets<br />
are10.4 Mt @ 2,88 g/t Au and <strong>of</strong> <strong>45</strong>.8 Mt<br />
@ 2.75 g/t Au, respectively. Nine drill<br />
rigs are currently on site conducting<br />
infill and step-out drilling at Boka 1<br />
and will commence step-out drilling at<br />
Boka 7, along with drill testing <strong>of</strong> other<br />
targets. A prefeasibility study is contemplated<br />
for the near future.<br />
Tianshan Goldfields Limited has<br />
been exploring its Gold Mountain project,<br />
northwest China. To date, a total <strong>of</strong><br />
14,897 m in 86 holes have been drilled,<br />
including 9,122 m at Yelmand (56<br />
holes), 4,385 m at Jinxi (16 holes),<br />
1,192 m at Mayituobi (13 holes) and<br />
196 m at Kezele (1 hole). Better intersections<br />
at Yelmand include hole<br />
YEL010, 14 m @ 1.51 g/t Au from 23 m;<br />
hole YEL020, 46 m @ 1.35g/t Au from<br />
28 m; hole YEL021, 29 m @ 1.08g/t Au<br />
from 11 m; hole YEL022, 31 m @ 1.01g/t<br />
Au from 13 m; and in hole YEL026, 50<br />
m @ 1.11g/t Au from 21 m. At Jinxi,<br />
better intersections include hole JX-025,<br />
32 m @ 2.65g/t Au from 32 m, and 70<br />
m @ 1.68g/t Au from<br />
80 m; hole JX-027, 50 to page 30 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
30 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 29<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
m @ 3.13g/t Au from 78 m; hole JX-029,<br />
41 m @ at 2.<strong>45</strong>g/t Au from 100 m; and<br />
in hole JX-031, 21 m @ 2.28g/t Au from<br />
107 m, and 42 m @ 2.21g/t Au from<br />
143 m.<br />
MONGOLIA<br />
Asia Gold and BHP Billiton have<br />
entered into an option agreement<br />
whereby BHP can earn up to a 70%<br />
interest in the West Falcon Gobi project,<br />
located in southern Mongolia. The<br />
3,629-km 2 area lies within Asia Gold’s<br />
West Gobi Cu-Au project.<br />
Bayfield Ventures and BHP Billiton<br />
have entered into an option agreement<br />
whereby BHP Billiton can potentially<br />
earn up to a 75% interest in three southern<br />
Mongolia properties held by Bayfield.<br />
East Asia Minerals (75%) has<br />
announced the results <strong>of</strong> its first six DD<br />
holes completed on the Khok Adar Cu-<br />
Ag-Zn project, located in western<br />
Mongolia. Better intersections include<br />
hole KA-04-01, 89.1 m @ 2.08% Cu and<br />
12.6 g/t Ag from surface; hole KA-04-02,<br />
56.6 m @ 1.35% Cu and 16.1 g/t Ag<br />
from 2.4 m. Additionally, hole KA-04-04<br />
For more information, please contact:<br />
KYLIE FOSTER<br />
kfoster@eos.ubc.ca<br />
www.mdru.ubc.ca/home/sheahan-mdru/<br />
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SHEAHAN-MDRU<br />
LITERATURE SERVICE<br />
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intersected a zinc-rich zone with 23 m @<br />
1.6% Cu, 38.4 g/t Ag, and 2.32% Zn<br />
from 67.4 m, and 38.4 m @ 8 g/t Ag<br />
and 3.2% Zn from 164.8 m. An<br />
$800,000 follow-up program is planned.<br />
Entree Gold (Ivanhoe Mines, 16.5%)<br />
has entered into an agreement with Rio<br />
Tinto, whereby Kennecott Exploration<br />
(subsidiary <strong>of</strong> Rio Tinto), will complete<br />
a private placement to initially acquire<br />
a 9.9% interest in Entrée Gold. Entrée<br />
Gold will use the proceeds to fund<br />
exploration on its Mongolian projects,<br />
including a drill program at Ulziit Uul.<br />
Erdene Gold and Erdenet Mining<br />
have formed a strategic alliance in<br />
which the companies will jointly fund<br />
programs to explore and develop Cu-<br />
Mo properties held by Erdene, located<br />
immediately west <strong>of</strong> Erdenet’s Erdenet-<br />
Oovo Cu-Mo mine.<br />
Magnum d’Or Resources has entered<br />
into a joint venture with Placer Dome,<br />
whereby Placer can earn up to an 80%<br />
interest in Magnum’s Khul Morit porphyry<br />
Cu project in southeast Mongolia.<br />
An initial 60% interest can be obtained<br />
by spending $1M on exploration over<br />
30 months, with an additional 20%<br />
Mineral Deposit Research Unit<br />
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interest by completing a bankable feasibility<br />
study.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines announced that it<br />
has intersected on its Oyu Tolgoi project,<br />
with the following results: 608 m @<br />
3.24% Cu and 0.82 g/t Au (3.77% Cu<br />
equiv), including 546 m @ 3.46% Cu<br />
and 0.90 g/t gold (4.05% Cu equiv). The<br />
hole also included an intersection <strong>of</strong><br />
322 m grading 4.59% copper and 1.07<br />
g/t gold. Ivanhoe currently has 9 deephole-capacity<br />
rigs drilling on the Oyu<br />
Tolgoi project and the Ivanhoe-Entrée<br />
Gold joint-venture property.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines reported has reported<br />
a new resource estimate on the Oyu<br />
Tolgoi Cu-Au Project. Incorporating<br />
results <strong>of</strong> drilling to April 2005, Oyu<br />
Tolgoi is now estimated to contain<br />
measured and indicated resources <strong>of</strong><br />
1,150 Mt @ 1.3 % Cu and 0.47 g/t Au,<br />
and an inferred resources <strong>of</strong> 1,160 Mt @<br />
1.02% Cu and 0.23 g/mt Au (COG =<br />
0.6% Cu equiv). The resources are contained<br />
within a 6.1-km-long series <strong>of</strong><br />
porphyry Cu-Au deposits.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines has also entered into<br />
a strategic alliance with Mitsui & Co to<br />
develop copper-gold and coal deposits<br />
Exploration Geologist<br />
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PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 31<br />
in Mongolia’s south Gobi region. Under<br />
the terms <strong>of</strong> the agreement, Mitsui will<br />
acquire an equity interest and participate<br />
in Ivanhoe’s South Gobi Power<br />
Development Corp. Mitsui & Co has<br />
also agreed to participate in the exploration,<br />
development, and financing <strong>of</strong><br />
Ivanhoe’s Oyu Tolgoi Cu-Au project<br />
and several <strong>of</strong> Ivanhoe’s coal properties<br />
in the region.<br />
Ivanhoe Mines and BHP Billiton<br />
have entered into an agreement to<br />
explore Ivanhoe’s non-core assets in the<br />
southern Gobi region <strong>of</strong> Mongolia. BHP<br />
Billiton can earn up to 50% by funding<br />
$8M on exploration, including a minimum<br />
30,000 line-km FALCON survey.<br />
Fortress Minerals has reached an<br />
agreement with Phelps Dodge that provides<br />
Phelps Dodge the option to earn a<br />
70% interest in Fortress’s Cu-Au-Ag-Mo<br />
properties in Mongolia. Phelps Dodge<br />
will take private placements valued at<br />
$3M over the next two years, providing<br />
Fortress with funds for exploration.<br />
Fortress will initially drill both the Teltiin<br />
Gol Cu-Au and Oyuut Uul Au targets.<br />
QGX announced an independent<br />
resource estimate for the Central Valley<br />
zone on its Golden Hills Cu-Au-Ag project<br />
in western Mongolia. Measured and<br />
indicated sulfide and oxide resources<br />
total 13.26 Mt @1.32% Cu, 0.96 g/t Au,<br />
and 4.6 g/t Ag, with an inferred<br />
resource <strong>of</strong> 11.95 Mt @ 1.18% Cu, 1.36<br />
g/t Au, and 6.44 g/t Ag.<br />
PHILIPPINES<br />
A revised feasibility study has been<br />
completed by Climax Mining for their<br />
Dinkidi Cu-Au project and approval <strong>of</strong><br />
the study received by the Philippines<br />
Environment and Natural Resources,<br />
effectively opening the way for development<br />
<strong>of</strong> the deposit. The Dinkidi porphyry<br />
deposit (Climax Mining Ltd.,<br />
92%, local interest, 8%) is located 200<br />
km north <strong>of</strong> Manila. A US$81M capital<br />
expenditure is envisaged with an<br />
annual average metal production <strong>of</strong><br />
approximately 94,000 oz gold and<br />
10,000 tonnes <strong>of</strong> copper in concentrate.<br />
The revised feasibility study indicates a<br />
minimum 15-year operation including<br />
a 12-month construction period commencing<br />
at the end <strong>of</strong> 2005. Production<br />
is planned to begin in 2007.<br />
Indophil Resources (37.5%) has successfully<br />
raised funds to conduct a prefeasibility<br />
study to be completed by late<br />
2006 on the Tampakan copper-gold<br />
project (Xstrata, 62.5%), located on<br />
Mindanao Island. The Tampakan<br />
indicated and inferred resource is<br />
approximately 900 Mt @ 0.7% Cu and<br />
0.3 g/t Au (COG = 0.4% Cu).<br />
It has been reported that the<br />
Jinchuan Group, Shanghai Baoshan<br />
Iron and Steel Group, and the China<br />
Development Bank signed an agreement<br />
with Philnico Mining and<br />
Industrial to develop the Nonoc Island<br />
nickel project, located in the Surigao del<br />
Norte region. Under the terms <strong>of</strong> the<br />
agreement, the Chinese companies will<br />
invest $950M to refurbish the processing<br />
facility and restart the nickel mining<br />
operations.<br />
Mindoro Resources Ltd. reports that<br />
high gold recoveries were obtained in<br />
column leach tests from their epithermal<br />
Archangel Au-Ag prospect. Mindoro is<br />
carrying out more detailed evaluations<br />
aimed at establishing the open-pit,<br />
heap-leach potential <strong>of</strong> the prospect.<br />
The Rapu Rapu mine, located on the<br />
eastern edge <strong>of</strong> Rapu Rapu island, celebrated<br />
(Lafayette Mining Ltd, 74%, LG<br />
Group International, 13%, Korean<br />
Resources Corp., 13%) becoming the<br />
first foreign-funded mine to be commissioned<br />
in the Philippines in the last 30<br />
years with its first gold pour. The commissioning<br />
<strong>of</strong> a base metals plant that<br />
will produce copper and zinc concentrates<br />
is also planned for the last quarter<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2005. Lafayette also recently<br />
approved an exploration budget to systematically<br />
evaluate the Hixbar and<br />
Linao areas with a ground-based EM<br />
program and drilling.<br />
Rusina Mining (80%) has reported<br />
drill results from its Acoje Pt-Pd-Ni-Cu<br />
project (Kinloch Resources, 20%),<br />
located in Zambales province. Best<br />
intersections include 28 m @ 3.00 g/t<br />
(Pd, Pt, Au), and 0.65% Ni, including 8<br />
m @ 4.88 g/t (Pd, Pt, Au) and 0.87% Ni,<br />
and 24 m @ 1.75 g/t (Pd, Pt, Au) and<br />
0.49% Ni, including 12 m @ 2.53g/t (Pd,<br />
Pt, Au) and 0.58% Ni.<br />
INDONESIA<br />
Oropa Ltd. has intersected gold mineralization<br />
outside the current Sihayo 1<br />
North Resource envelope. Drill hole<br />
SHDD060 intersected 8 m @ 2.66 g/t Au<br />
from surface, while drill hole SHDD062<br />
intersected 31 m @ 2.38g/t Au from 1m.<br />
Southern Arc Minerals Inc. has completed<br />
drilling 9 scout holes at the low<br />
sulfidation epithermal Lemonga<br />
prospect located on Sumbawa Island,<br />
covering 31,204 ha.<br />
Five gold-bearing quartz veins (Amy,<br />
Betty, Cici, Dessy, Evi) have been<br />
identified within the alteration zone.<br />
Highlights <strong>of</strong> drill hole intervals from<br />
the Amy vein include hole LDG-01,<br />
16.05 m @ 5.3 g/t Au and 51 g/t Ag;<br />
and hole LDG-03, 15.40 m @ 6.67 g/t<br />
Au and 36 g/t Ag.<br />
Austindo Resources Corp. NL has<br />
announced it has entered into a 3-year<br />
strategic alliance with PT Minorco<br />
Services Indonesia, a subsidiary <strong>of</strong><br />
Anglo American, to jointly explore for<br />
porphyry Cu-Au deposits in the<br />
provinces <strong>of</strong> Papua and West Irian Jaya.<br />
Anglo has agreed to solely fund exploration<br />
expenditure and has an initial<br />
80% interest in projects. In the event<br />
that a resource <strong>of</strong> less than 1 Mt <strong>of</strong> contained<br />
Cu equiv or 1 Moz Au is identified,<br />
Anglo may elect that the project<br />
either revert to Austindo on an 80/20<br />
basis (with Austindo holding 80%) or<br />
that 100% be transferred to Austindo<br />
with Anglo retaining a 2% NSR.<br />
Meanwhile, Austindo has purchased for<br />
A$2.5M gold processing plant for their<br />
Cibaliung epithermal Au project<br />
(Austindo, 83.76%, ANAKA TAMBANG,<br />
16.24%) located in west Java, which is<br />
scheduled to start production in early<br />
2006. The Cibaliung deposit has a<br />
reported minable reserves and resources<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1.388 Mt @ 9.5 g/t Au and 80 g/t Ag.<br />
LAOS<br />
Pan Australian Resources has<br />
announced the results from drilling on<br />
their Phu Kham copper-gold project<br />
(Pan Australian Resources, 80%,<br />
Newmont Mining, 20%). Better results<br />
are from hole GDD099, with 34 m @<br />
4.6% Cu and 0.7 g/t Au from 294 m.<br />
The recent drilling now extends known<br />
mineralization at Phu Kham along a<br />
1.3-km strike length, remaining open<br />
along strike and at depth. Initial production<br />
<strong>of</strong> 52,000 oz/yr <strong>of</strong> gold and<br />
57,600 tpa <strong>of</strong> copper at Phu Kham is<br />
scheduled for the second half <strong>of</strong> 2005.<br />
THAILAND<br />
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. reported<br />
that the combined Chatree North and<br />
Chatree mining lease now contain over<br />
3 Moz Au and 22.75 Moz Ag in<br />
resources and over 1.5 Moz Au and 12.7<br />
Moz Ag in reserves. For year ended June<br />
2005, Chatree mine produced 126,550<br />
oz Au and 353,275 oz Ag.<br />
Asian Mineral<br />
Resources’ wholly<br />
VIETNAM<br />
to page 32 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
32 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 31<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
owned subsidiary, AMR Nickel, has<br />
entered into an agreement with Mineral<br />
Development Company (Mideco) to<br />
acquire its 20% interest in the Ban Phuc<br />
nickel project, located west <strong>of</strong> Hanoi.<br />
AMR has agreed to make a cash payment<br />
<strong>of</strong> $2.5M to acquire its interest.<br />
Upon completion <strong>of</strong> the transaction,<br />
AMR will hold a 90% interest in the project,<br />
with the Mechanical Engineering<br />
Company <strong>of</strong> Son La province holding<br />
the remaining 10%.<br />
The Olympus Pacific Minerals Inc.<br />
ongoing exploration programs on the<br />
Phuoc Son and Bong Mieu Gold<br />
Properties have delineated a total <strong>of</strong><br />
five deposits. On the Phuoc Son gold<br />
property, 11 exploration and in-fill holes<br />
totaling 1,918 m have been drilled.<br />
Better intersections from step-out drilling<br />
in the Dak Sa-2 (Bai Go) deposit area<br />
include hole 132, 2.51 m @ 134.72 g/t<br />
Au; hole 41, 0.23 m @ 26.3 g/t Au; and<br />
hole 68, 3.2 m @ 3.49 g/t Au. Results<br />
from the in-fill drilling on the Dak Sa-1<br />
(Bai Dat) deposit include hole 121, 5.2<br />
m @ 8.85 g/t Au; hole 122, 8 m @ 11.13<br />
g/t Au; hole 126, 3.05 m @ 39.28 g/t Au;<br />
and hole 127, 4.7 m @ 23.97 g/t Au.<br />
AUSTRALASIA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Brent McInnes (<strong>SEG</strong> 1999)<br />
CSIRO Exploration and Mining<br />
With contributions from<br />
James Beeston – Queensland<br />
Queensland Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Natural Resources & Mines<br />
Tony Christie (<strong>SEG</strong> 1992) – New Zealand<br />
NZ Institute <strong>of</strong> Geological & Nuclear Sciences<br />
Sue Daly – South Australia<br />
PIRSA<br />
Ge<strong>of</strong>f Green (<strong>SEG</strong> 2000) – Tasmania<br />
Mineral Resources Tasmania<br />
Jonathan Law (<strong>SEG</strong> 1993 F) – Victoria<br />
CSIRO Minerals<br />
Tim McConachy (<strong>SEG</strong> 1987 F) –<br />
New South Wales<br />
CSIRO Exploration & Mining<br />
Russell Meares (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996) –<br />
New South Wales<br />
Malachite Resources<br />
AUSTRALIA<br />
Geoscience Australia has released a<br />
report indicating that Australia has the<br />
world’s largest economic demonstrated<br />
resources (EDR) <strong>of</strong> Zn, Pb, Ni, mineral<br />
sands (rutile and zircon), Ta and<br />
uranium. Australia is one <strong>of</strong> the top six<br />
producing countries for commodities<br />
such as bauxite, black coal, brown coal,<br />
Cu, Au, iron ore, ilmenite, Li, Mn, Nb,<br />
Ag and industrial diamond.<br />
Mineral exploration spending in the<br />
second half <strong>of</strong> 2004 rose to $AUD512M,<br />
a 33% increase relative to the equivalent<br />
period in 2003. While Au remained<br />
the predominant target in 2004, its<br />
share <strong>of</strong> total spending fell below 50%<br />
to $414M, whereas base metal exploration<br />
increased its share <strong>of</strong> spending to<br />
$207.4M, an increase <strong>of</strong> 22.5%.<br />
Nationally 39% <strong>of</strong> exploration spending<br />
was directed at the search for new<br />
deposits. Tasmania had the highest proportion<br />
<strong>of</strong> exploration in this category<br />
<strong>of</strong> any jurisdiction with 54.7% <strong>of</strong> its<br />
spending, whereas the Northern<br />
Territory had the lowest at 31.3%. Full<br />
report details can be found at .<br />
SOUTH AUSTRALIA<br />
A significant grass roots discovery has<br />
been reported by unlisted explorer RMG<br />
Services at the Carrapateena prospect,<br />
100 km southeast <strong>of</strong> Olympic Dam. The<br />
second <strong>of</strong> two exploration drill holes<br />
intersected 178.2 m @ 1.83% Cu, 0.64<br />
g/t Au, 0.21% Ce and 0.13% La over a<br />
vertical interval from 476 to 654.2 m.<br />
The mineralized zone has similarities<br />
with the Olympic Dam-Prominent<br />
Hill–style <strong>of</strong> Fe oxide-Cu-Au (IOCG)<br />
mineralization. The upper altered zone<br />
consists <strong>of</strong> bornite-rich breccias, bornite<br />
stringers and some chalcocite (~476–549<br />
m), a central zone <strong>of</strong> more gneissic and<br />
granitic material, and a lower zone <strong>of</strong><br />
dominant chalcopyrite (607-654.2m).<br />
No significant U values were reported,<br />
but Ag was slightly anomalous.<br />
RMG’s drilling was 50% funded by<br />
the South Australian government’s<br />
Plan For Accelerated Exploration<br />
(PACE), part <strong>of</strong> a five-year $22.5M initiative<br />
to encourage mineral exploration<br />
in South Australia.<br />
TASMANIA<br />
Zinifex Ltd announced an intersection<br />
<strong>of</strong> 8.7 m @ 5.8% Zn contained an Ag<br />
grade <strong>of</strong> 605 g/t in the Rosebery mine.<br />
These grades correlate with those in a<br />
nearby hole and suggest that a new lens<br />
<strong>of</strong> ore has been discovered. Another hole<br />
intersected 5 m <strong>of</strong> high grade ore containing<br />
15% Zn. The company has also<br />
intersected 23.8 m <strong>of</strong> alteration in a hole<br />
in the Boco area, 9 km north <strong>of</strong><br />
Rosebery, including 3.1 m <strong>of</strong> mineralization<br />
and 1 m <strong>of</strong> high grade Pb and Zn.<br />
Zinifex and Resource Investments<br />
and Finance Limited (RFI) have<br />
announced a joint venture on RFI’s tenements<br />
in the Hellyer area under which<br />
each will invest $1M into exploration<br />
over the next two years. RFI will conduct<br />
the exploration and Zinifex will<br />
have the right to select three areas on<br />
which to fund and conduct a full feasibility<br />
study in return for 70% <strong>of</strong> any<br />
resources discovered.<br />
Allegiance Mining has announced a<br />
14 m intersection <strong>of</strong> 2.5% Ni in a hole<br />
250 m west <strong>of</strong> the resource envelope and<br />
150 m west <strong>of</strong> a previous intersection <strong>of</strong><br />
12 m <strong>of</strong> 1.6% Ni at the Avebury Ni<br />
deposit. This extends the strike length <strong>of</strong><br />
the deposit to more than 1,000 m.<br />
Lefroy Resources has extended the<br />
strike length <strong>of</strong> mineralization in the<br />
Lefroy goldfield, northeast Tasmania.<br />
Drilling at the Pinafore Reef intersected<br />
17 m <strong>of</strong> 4.49 g/t Au. A hole at the<br />
Native Youth Reef returned 1 m intersections<br />
<strong>of</strong> 23.88, 13.62 and 7.94 g/t Au.<br />
The second <strong>of</strong> these was part <strong>of</strong> a 10-m<br />
intersection at 2.41 g/t.<br />
Copper Mines <strong>of</strong> Tasmania is<br />
drilling a deep hole into a pyrophyllite<br />
anomaly identified in an airborne<br />
hyperspectral survey commissioned by<br />
Mineral Resources Tasmania and conducted<br />
by CSIRO and HyVista<br />
Corporation in the Mount Lyell area.<br />
The survey was funded by the<br />
Australian Government under the<br />
Western Tasmanian Minerals Program.<br />
Some Cu mineralization has been intersected<br />
high in the hole, but the target<br />
depth has yet to be reached.<br />
GTN Resources Limited is continuing<br />
its drilling program on the King Island<br />
scheelite deposit. GTN expects to complete<br />
a full feasibility study by the end<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2005 and production is scheduled to<br />
commence in early 2006.<br />
NEW SOUTH WALES<br />
In the Lachlan fold belt Cu-Au region,<br />
Newcrest announced that the<br />
Ridgeway Deeps project will proceed<br />
based on increasing the depth <strong>of</strong> mining<br />
at the Ridgeway Au-Cu deposit at<br />
their Cadia mining complex near<br />
Orange by a further 300 m. The extension<br />
will add production <strong>of</strong> 1.3 M oz Au
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 33<br />
and 163 Kt Cu to the Ridgeway operation,<br />
extending mine life by six years.<br />
The Ridgeway mine reported cash costs<br />
for the 2004-2005 financial year <strong>of</strong> only<br />
$39/oz, compared with $109/oz for the<br />
previous quarter.<br />
At the Copper Hill prospect, Golden<br />
Cross reported drill intersections <strong>of</strong> 217<br />
m @ 0.72% Cu and 1.17 g/t Au (close to<br />
an old hole <strong>of</strong> comparable grade) and<br />
128 m @ 0.32% Cu, 0.19 g/t Au, 35 ppm<br />
Mo. Further drilling will focus on poorly<br />
drilled portions down to 200m depth.<br />
Rio Tinto has proposed to extend<br />
their block caving mining operations at<br />
Northparkes until 2017 via the development<br />
<strong>of</strong> the E48 deposit which has<br />
reserves <strong>of</strong> 22.6 Mt at 1.15% Cu and<br />
0.46 g/t Au.<br />
Alkane Exploration’s strong land<br />
position in the Orange-Cadia district<br />
has attracted the attention <strong>of</strong><br />
Newmont, which has signed a joint<br />
venture to earn up to an initial 51% in<br />
the Alkane tenements by funding $5M<br />
in exploration expenditure over a fiveyear<br />
period, with the right to earn an<br />
additional 24% interest. Previous work<br />
by Alkane in the area returned 19 m @<br />
0.2% Cu and 1.23 g/t Au. Alkane also<br />
plans to have a bankable feasibility<br />
study for its 600,000 oz Wyoming Au<br />
deposit ready by the end 2005. The<br />
company is undertaking studies to better<br />
understand the geometry <strong>of</strong> the<br />
underground ore shoots to determine<br />
an optimal mine plan. Alkane has also<br />
progressed its nearby Galwadgere Cu-<br />
Au project to a small open cut resource<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2 Mt @ 1% Cu, and continues marketing<br />
studies on its complex Dubbo<br />
zirconia-tantalum-niobium project.<br />
In the New England fold belt (NEFB),<br />
drilling programs by Straits Resources<br />
at a number <strong>of</strong> vein systems at the<br />
mothballed Hillgrove Au-Sb mine have<br />
shown continued success. The company<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
◆ News Summaries<br />
◆ Deposit Statistics<br />
◆ Research Information<br />
100 Lemming Dr. Reno, Nevada 89523<br />
phone: 775 3<strong>45</strong>-2343 fax 775 3<strong>45</strong>-1317<br />
http://www.activityupdate.com info@activityupdate.com<br />
has recently announced a resource <strong>of</strong><br />
3.9 Mt at 5.1 g/t Au and 1.95% Sb<br />
(1.2Moz Au equiv), and is looking at<br />
the possibility <strong>of</strong> re-opening the mine.<br />
Historical production at Hillgrove<br />
totaled 720 Koz Au and 50 Kt Sb.<br />
Drake Resources has commenced<br />
exploration to evaluate the potential <strong>of</strong><br />
the Drake low-sulfidation epithermal<br />
field, where resources currently stand at<br />
146 Koz Au and 4.6 Moz Ag with base<br />
metal credits.<br />
Triako Resources’ high-grade Hera<br />
Au deposit (1.49 Mt @ 9.4g/t Au, 0.5%<br />
Cu, 4.4% Pb, 4.3% Zn and 24g/t Ag) has<br />
attracted the interest <strong>of</strong> CBH Resources,<br />
which purchased a 6.5% stake in Triako<br />
for $2.5M. Hera is located about150 km<br />
from CBH’s Endeavour Zn-Pb-Ag operation<br />
near Cobar.<br />
VICTORIA<br />
Recent attention has focused on the<br />
Fosterville region in Victoria with the<br />
successful commissioning <strong>of</strong><br />
Perseverance Corporation’s bacterial<br />
oxidation treatment plant. Production<br />
at the Fosterville mine for 2005-2006 is<br />
estimated to reach 135,000 oz <strong>of</strong> Au<br />
and development is scheduled to commence<br />
early in 2006 to access the<br />
810,000 oz underground reserve. In the<br />
same region, Gold Fields have reported<br />
a new greenfields discovery based on<br />
four exploration holes. No details have<br />
been released.<br />
Austar Resources have reported<br />
encouraging results from the 1.5 Moz<br />
historical Walhalla goldfield. Recent<br />
drilling at the Lomond Reef discovery<br />
has extended the strike length <strong>of</strong> known<br />
mineralization to 800 m and to a depth<br />
<strong>of</strong> 300 m with an average thickness <strong>of</strong><br />
6.5 m. Austar plans to commence a<br />
scoping study in late 2005.<br />
ORE AND THIN SECTION<br />
PETROGRAPHY<br />
QUEENSLAND<br />
The Department <strong>of</strong> Natural Resources<br />
and Mines kicked <strong>of</strong>f its Smart<br />
Exploration initiative at the Structure,<br />
Tectonics and Ore Mineralisation<br />
Processes (STOMP) Conference in<br />
Townsville by announcing the completion<br />
<strong>of</strong> a major airborne airborne magnetic<br />
and radiometric survey over the<br />
Mount Rawdon Corridor in southeast<br />
Queensland.<br />
NEW ZEALAND<br />
Newmont’s decline at Favona in the<br />
Waihi district, Coromandel region, North<br />
Island, was over 500 m long and over 70<br />
m below the surface in August. Exploration<br />
drilling continued in a number <strong>of</strong><br />
nearby areas including Waihi East,<br />
Union Hill and under the Martha open<br />
pit. Exploration continues to find highgrade<br />
veins under the Martha pit with<br />
one intercept reported as 7 m true width<br />
at 22 g/t Au and 100 g/t Ag.<br />
Glass Earth completed their Taupo<br />
Volcanic Zone airborne geophysical surveys<br />
(40,000 line km <strong>of</strong> aeromagnetic/<br />
radiometrics and 6,000 line km <strong>of</strong> airborne<br />
gravity) and are processing the<br />
data to identify drill prospects.<br />
In the South Island, OceanaGold continued<br />
development work on the Globe-<br />
Progress mine near Reefton and increased<br />
resources to 604,000 oz Au<br />
through pit design optimization.<br />
Similarly, a redesign <strong>of</strong> the plan for<br />
underground mining from 2007 on the<br />
Frasers downdip extension <strong>of</strong> the Macraes<br />
open pit mine in Otago, involved<br />
decreased tonnage but increased grade to<br />
3.05 g/t Au. CanAlaska Ventures<br />
recently completed a program <strong>of</strong> RC<br />
drilling on the Rise and Shine shear zone<br />
with joint venture<br />
to page<br />
partner OceanaGold. 34 ...<br />
LTL Petrographics<br />
L. T. LARSON, PHD.<br />
35 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH<br />
ROCKS AND ORES FROM ALL OVER<br />
THE WORLD. OPTICAL MICROSCOPY,<br />
SEM AND MICROPROBE.<br />
Phone: 775-849-0587<br />
340 Sparrow Way Email: RockdocL@Netscape.net<br />
Carson City, Nevada 89704 LTLPetrographics@yahoo.com<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
34 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 33<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
Seafield Resources, a De Beers subsidiary,<br />
in joint venture with Placer<br />
Solutions, has commenced exploring<br />
for placer Au on the seabed <strong>of</strong>fshore the<br />
west coast <strong>of</strong> the South Island from<br />
Karamea to Jackson Bay. Geophysical<br />
surveys and sampling are planned to<br />
evaluate a model <strong>of</strong> placer formation<br />
during glacial periods when sea levels<br />
were much lower than at present.<br />
Reviews <strong>of</strong> these and other exploration<br />
and mining activities will be presented<br />
at the New Zealand Minerals<br />
Conference in November: .<br />
EUROPE<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Mac Canby (<strong>SEG</strong> 2003)<br />
Phelps Dodge Exploration Corp.<br />
Cobham, Surrey KT11 3HY<br />
Tel: +44 1932 868 108<br />
Fax +44 1483 479 930<br />
E-mail: mcanby@phelpsd.com<br />
Contributions from<br />
Pasi Eilu (<strong>SEG</strong> 2002) – Finland<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Finland<br />
Bosse Gustavson – Sweden<br />
Cecilia Szentesy (<strong>SEG</strong> 2004) – Romania<br />
S.C. Rosia Montana Gold Corporation S.A.<br />
Dundee reported some spectacular<br />
intercepts at its Chelopech high-sulfidation<br />
Cu-Au deposit in Bulgaria, while<br />
also, in Bulgaria, Euromax reports<br />
interesting trench results at Rakitovo.<br />
Uranium once again appears as a target<br />
<strong>of</strong> interest in Fennoscandia, and<br />
new diamond pipes emerge in Finland.<br />
European Nickel made real progress<br />
toward Ni production in Turkey and<br />
posted a significant increase in their<br />
resource at Caldag. The first South East<br />
European Exploration Conference<br />
MINERALS EXPLORATION &<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY<br />
Advanced survey, analytical and interpretational methods<br />
for exploration through exotic overburden.<br />
Plant Soil Gas Rock Standards<br />
Specialty Sample Preparation<br />
P.O. Box 18325, Reno, Nevada 89511<br />
Tel: 775-849-2235 Fax: 775-849-2335<br />
SheaClarkSmith@compuserve.com<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
and Field Trip in S<strong>of</strong>ia, Bulgaria, from<br />
May 7 to 10 was superbly attended by<br />
both juniors and majors. Our thanks to<br />
the excellent efforts <strong>of</strong> organizers<br />
Menzies, Dimitrov, Davena,<br />
Strashimirov and Bogdanov. Readers<br />
will note improvements in our Swedish<br />
contributions thanks to new correspondent<br />
Bosse Gustavson.<br />
BULGARIA<br />
Dundee Precious Metals posted<br />
notable intercepts at the “Block 149”<br />
ore shoot located at the north margin <strong>of</strong><br />
the Chelopech high-sulfidation Cu-Au<br />
deposit, where holes <strong>of</strong>fsetting isolated<br />
historic intercepts cut up to 12 m <strong>of</strong><br />
5.2% Cu and 30.8g Au contain visible<br />
gold in addition to the typical Cu-As-Fe<br />
assemblage.<br />
Euromax reports encouraging trench<br />
results from the Srebrna (Rakitovo)<br />
Au-Ag-(Pb) quartz stockwork zone in a<br />
Cretaceous granite porphyry stock,<br />
including 26 m <strong>of</strong> 3.68 g Au and 144 g<br />
Ag within a 1,500-m segment tested by<br />
4 trenches; the zone has been traced<br />
with geophysics by the Bulgarian state<br />
for an additional 3 km south. At<br />
Srebren South coincident with the IP<br />
anomaly is a poorly exposed zone <strong>of</strong><br />
quartz stockwork 600 × 150 m in<br />
quartz-muscovite-carbonate altered<br />
granite porphyry, with up to 30 m <strong>of</strong><br />
2.60 g Au, 25 g Ag in limited rock chip<br />
sampling.<br />
TURKEY<br />
Anatolian Minerals completed 165<br />
holes/28,418 m in 2005 at the intrusion-centered,<br />
sediment-hosted Copler<br />
Au (44 Mt <strong>of</strong> 2.9 g/t Au) in infill and<br />
condemnation drilling; intervals<br />
Recursos<br />
included up to 117 m <strong>of</strong> 4.8 g Au.<br />
Eurasian Minerals, in strategic<br />
alliance with Barrick, announced mineralized<br />
intercepts in all eight holes<br />
from a 965-m diamond core program,<br />
including up to 30.4 m <strong>of</strong> 3.8 g Au, at<br />
its Sisorta high-sulfidation Au target,<br />
northern Turkey; a second 3,000-m drill<br />
phase was started.<br />
Anatolian/Rio Tinto alliance<br />
announced results from further drilling<br />
<strong>of</strong> 18 RVC holes/2,543 m at Kizilviran<br />
Cu-Au porphyry in eastern Turkey,<br />
including an intersection <strong>of</strong> 43 m <strong>of</strong><br />
1.2% Cu, 0.18 g Au, and 0.01% Mo in<br />
the Main Ridge zone, which now<br />
extends up to 500 × 1,500 m. Low-grade<br />
(0.2–0.5% Cu) hypogene mineralization<br />
underlies an enrichment blanket 8- to<br />
80-m thick, averaging 0.7 to 1.1% Cu.<br />
Anatolian’s drill holes at its Ikiztepe<br />
Cu-Mo prospect in European Turkey<br />
returned up to 206 m <strong>of</strong> 0.29% Cu with<br />
~0.01% Mo in mixed skarn and intrusion-hosted<br />
mineralization.<br />
Ariana Resources emerged as an<br />
ambitious new junior in Turkey, purchasing<br />
Newmont’s Sindirgi Au-Ag<br />
low-sulfidation epithermal vein<br />
prospect in western Turkey, as well as<br />
discovering its own Kinik Au by following<br />
ASTER and GIS targets; preliminary<br />
chip sampling returned up to 10 m <strong>of</strong><br />
3.21 g Au within a wider mineralized<br />
zone.<br />
European Nickel (ENickel) reached<br />
several key milestones at its Caldag Ni<br />
laterite deposit by increasing the<br />
resource by 30% from approximately 38<br />
Mt 1.14% Ni and .05% Co to <strong>45</strong> Mt<br />
1.3% Ni, and 0.07% Co, demonstrating<br />
heap leach recoveries which now<br />
exceed 50%, and getting a further vote<br />
<strong>of</strong> confidence as BHP Billiton increased<br />
its stake via exercise <strong>of</strong> stock purchase.<br />
del<br />
Caribe,<br />
S.<br />
A.<br />
Contract<br />
Mineral<br />
Exploration<br />
in<br />
Central<br />
America<br />
and<br />
the<br />
Caribbean<br />
Basin<br />
Tel:<br />
Carl<br />
E.<br />
Nelson,<br />
President<br />
303-939-9517<br />
• www.<br />
CBMap.<br />
net<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 35<br />
ROMANIA<br />
European Goldfields Limited completed<br />
in-house prefeasibility study on<br />
its 80%-owned Certej project; measured<br />
and indicated resources total 31.4 Mt at<br />
2.1 g gold and 11 g silver for a total <strong>of</strong><br />
2.2 Moz Au and 11 Moz Ag. Pit optimization<br />
shows 22.6 Mt grading 2.0 g<br />
gold and 11.7 g silver with an average<br />
strip ratio <strong>of</strong> 2:1, with a projected 2.5 Mt<br />
per annum over approximately nine<br />
years. European seeks additional<br />
peripheral higher-grade mineralization<br />
at its nearby Cainel license where surface<br />
and underground sampling shows<br />
1 to 14 m <strong>of</strong> 1–5.6 g Au in north-south<br />
veins and breccias.<br />
Carpathian Gold Inc. (CG)<br />
announced metallurgical results from<br />
SGS-Lakefield Research from two samples<br />
from Baiut Au in Baia Mare (0.341<br />
Mt <strong>of</strong> 4.75 g Au) which returned 95.3%<br />
and 93.0% Au recovery utilizing biooxidation<br />
and cyanide leaching; CG<br />
will consider similar recovery tests on<br />
ore previously considered refractory<br />
from Baia Sprie. Recoveries by State<br />
Mining Company REMIN, via conventional<br />
sulfide floatation, showed results<br />
<strong>of</strong> 95.5% and 97.4%.<br />
CG’s programs on Oravita Cu-Au,<br />
southwest Romania, defined drill targets<br />
along the 3.5-km-long “Talva Trend”<br />
Cu-Au soil anomaly, including a 1,500m<br />
length at Talva Mica, where 26 <strong>of</strong> 52<br />
grab samples showed from 0.4% to 4.2%<br />
Cu and 0.11 to 4.41g Au. Mineralization<br />
is hosted by interbedded hornfels and<br />
calc-silicate skarn, and altered quartzdiorite<br />
porphyry and hornfels. The<br />
underground historic Talva Mica zone is<br />
50 to 70 m wide, 300 m in length and<br />
open along strike; previous intersections<br />
include 12 m <strong>of</strong> 2.76% Cu to 10 m <strong>of</strong><br />
5.10% Cu and 2 m <strong>of</strong> 7.87% Cu, 0.20%<br />
Mo. None <strong>of</strong> the underground samples<br />
were assayed for Au.<br />
At CG’s Carbunari-Stinapari<br />
prospect, 25 km south <strong>of</strong> Oravita,<br />
trenching and mapping define a 3.5km-long<br />
belt <strong>of</strong> jasperoid containing 1<br />
to 15.1 g Au and an associated gold-insoil<br />
anomaly within limestone and calcareous<br />
siliciclastic sediments; a 2,000to<br />
3,000-m drilling is planned to test for<br />
Carlin-style Au mineralization.<br />
Gabriel Resources Ltd received terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> reference for the Rosia Montana EIA;<br />
the EIA is now being compiled to meet<br />
the terms <strong>of</strong> reference and is planned to<br />
be submitted in early 2006.<br />
At Bucium/Rodu-Frasin, a February<br />
2005 resource estimate at 0.6 g Au<br />
cut<strong>of</strong>f contains indicated resources <strong>of</strong><br />
7.95 Mt at 1.91 g Au and 5g Ag, and an<br />
inferred resource <strong>of</strong> 9.29 Mt <strong>of</strong> 1.70 g Au<br />
and 5 g Ag at Frasin, and an inferred<br />
resource <strong>of</strong> 26.08 Mt at 0.97 g Au and 2<br />
g Ag at Rodu, totaling 1 Moz Au at<br />
Frasin area and 813,000 oz Au at Rodu.<br />
New exploration licenses were<br />
granted in Apuseni Mountains to<br />
Valhalla Resources and Carpathian<br />
Gold.<br />
SERBIA-MONTENEGRO<br />
Eurasian Minerals announced an Aupolymetallic<br />
intercept from Brestovac<br />
target, south <strong>of</strong> the historic Bor district,<br />
where their 296.8-m core hole followed<br />
up on results from 1970-era drilling. An<br />
interval <strong>of</strong> 22.40 m <strong>of</strong> 4.51g Au<br />
included 2.95 m <strong>of</strong> 25.83 g Au; two<br />
lower intervals each contained 7 to 8 m<br />
<strong>of</strong> 0.4–0.5 g Au. Cu-Zn mineralization<br />
was intersected as well, notably 4.30 m<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2.07% Zn, 0.11% Cu and 0.40 g Au.<br />
A range <strong>of</strong> companies participated in<br />
the Serbian government’s tenders on<br />
Cu-Au exploration targets in the West<br />
Timok district, covering the western<br />
margin <strong>of</strong> the prolific Timok Magmatic<br />
Complex which hosts Bor.<br />
MACEDONIA<br />
Sirius Exploration Plc completed AIM<br />
listing based on its agreement with<br />
Phelps Dodge on the Kadiica and<br />
Osogovo porphyry Cu-Mo targets, and<br />
currently funds drill programs on both.<br />
Sirius aims to expand a chalcocite blanket<br />
identified at Kadiica as well as test<br />
for underlying hypogene mineralization;<br />
at Osogovo, further exploration<br />
will test an extensive stockwork Cu-Mo<br />
system which forms the center <strong>of</strong> the<br />
large Sasa-Toranitza Pb-Zn-Ag skarnmanto<br />
deposit.<br />
IBERIA<br />
Rio Narcea, on its Salave Au project,<br />
announced 1.5 Moz Au at a grade <strong>of</strong><br />
3.0 g. Salave is a disseminated, intrusion-related<br />
deposit hosted in a granodiorite;<br />
gold occurs in subhorizontal to<br />
gently west dipping irregular lenses in<br />
an area <strong>of</strong> 350 × 300 m.<br />
IRELAND<br />
Tournigan Gold followed up on previous<br />
expansions <strong>of</strong> the No. 1 vein at<br />
Curraghinalt Au (1.32 m <strong>of</strong> 66.95 g Au<br />
at 390 m, announced previously).<br />
SLOVAKIA<br />
Tournigan Gold drilled its Brehov VMS<br />
target, and their shallow holes in a 600m-wide<br />
mineralized zone previously<br />
identified and drilled by the Slovak geologic<br />
survey, returned up to 15 m <strong>of</strong><br />
2.6% Pb, 0.3% Zn, 0.5 g Au, and 40 g<br />
Ag in reported Kuroko-type VMS mineralization.<br />
Tournigan continues exploration<br />
at the Kremenica low-sulfidation<br />
Au-Ag target.<br />
FINLAND<br />
Dragon Mining NL will open two gold<br />
mines at Vammala in southwestern<br />
Finland. About 300,000 t ore will be<br />
mined per year at about 8 to 11 g Au.<br />
Production will start in late 2005 from<br />
the underground at Orivesi mine and<br />
from two small open cuts at the new<br />
Jokisivu mine. Stage 2 will develop an<br />
underground mine at Jokisivu. Prior to<br />
going underground at Jokisivu, a sixmonth<br />
drilling program will allow<br />
detailed underground design and financial<br />
study. Stage 3 will develop deeper<br />
ore zones at Jokisivu at and below 400<br />
m level.<br />
Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd has <strong>of</strong>fered<br />
to buy all the outstanding shares <strong>of</strong><br />
Riddarhyttan Resources AB not currently<br />
owned by Agnico-Eagle.<br />
Riddarhyttan is the 100% owner <strong>of</strong><br />
Suurikuusikko Au, northern Finland,<br />
where the resource is now 2.5 Mt @ 6.2<br />
g Au measured, 9.3 Mt @ 5.1 g Au indicated,<br />
and 12.5 Mt @ 4.2 g Au inferred<br />
ore, totaling 3.73 Moz gold. Northern<br />
Lion Gold reports a new gold-rich lode<br />
from the old mine site <strong>of</strong> Haveri in<br />
southwestern Finland, with drill intercepts<br />
from 2 m @ 116.9 g to 44.5 m @<br />
1.3 g Au. Taranis Resources Inc reports<br />
a new lode at its Kettukuusikko<br />
prospect in Lapland, with intercepts at<br />
1.8 m @ 27.7.g and 0.4 m @ 111g gold.<br />
North American Gold Inc has been<br />
granted 12 exploration leases in northwest<br />
Finland, now nearly completely<br />
holding the iron oxide-copper-gold<br />
Kolari belt; the company also holds<br />
ground in nearby Sweden, in obvious<br />
continuation <strong>of</strong> the Kolari belt.<br />
In PGM, Gold Fields Ltd announced<br />
downgrade <strong>of</strong> its Arctic platinum project,<br />
and will assess the viability <strong>of</strong> a<br />
high-grade PGM, smaller-scale operation<br />
rather than large-scale mine.<br />
In the base-metals sector, Vulcan<br />
Resources Ltd more than doubled the<br />
resource <strong>of</strong> the<br />
to page<br />
Outokumpu-style<br />
36 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
36 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 35<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
Kylylahti Co-Cu-Au deposit, located in<br />
eastern Finland, to 7.4 Mt @ 0.2 % Co,<br />
1.0 % Cu, 0.4 % Zn, 0.2 % Ni, and 0.6 g<br />
Au. Vulcan announced new high-grade<br />
sections from its komatiitic Ni prospect<br />
Hietaharju, eastern Finland, including<br />
17.8 m @ 1.33 % Ni, 0.6 % Cu, 1.9 g Pt<br />
+ Pd, and 7 m @ 0.7 % Ni, 0.2 % Cu,<br />
and 1.3 g Pt + Pd.<br />
After two dormant decades, uranium<br />
exploration restarted in Finland. French<br />
company AREVA acquired ground in<br />
eastern and southern Finland and UKregistered<br />
Agricola Resources plc in<br />
eastern and northeastern Finland.<br />
Nearly all <strong>of</strong> the uranium leases are<br />
around previously known occurrences<br />
including the Paukkajanvaara deposit,<br />
mined in 1960–1961.<br />
Finnish diamond news surrounds the<br />
Kuusamo region in eastern Finland,<br />
where a kimberlite cluster found by<br />
Tertiary Minerals plc in mid-2004 contains<br />
both Group 1 and Group 2 kimberlites.<br />
In May 2005, Tertiary’s new<br />
company, Sunrise Diamonds plc, continued<br />
exploration activities <strong>of</strong> its parent<br />
and in August 2005 announced the<br />
discovery two new, possibly Group 1type,<br />
kimberlites in the Kuusamo<br />
region. European Diamonds plc<br />
announced in June the discovery <strong>of</strong> a<br />
new kimberlite body in central Finland.<br />
SWEDEN<br />
Test mining at Lappland Goldminers’<br />
Fabodliden deposit yielded 3.3 g Au<br />
across 50-m width compared to premining<br />
calculation <strong>of</strong> 1.5 g. Measured<br />
resources down to 200 m depth (open<br />
pit) previously were 21.4 t Au.<br />
MinMet signed the Heads <strong>of</strong><br />
Agreement to sell its 100% owned<br />
Bjorkdalsgruvan AB (Au) to Gold-Ore<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
Resource Geosciences de Mexico<br />
S.A. de C.V<br />
Exploration Services Throughout the Americas<br />
Dr. Matthew D. Gray, C.P.G. #10688 – President<br />
Resources Limited including an operating<br />
gold mine, plant, reserves/resources<br />
and exploration properties. MinMet has<br />
taken 100% control over Svenska<br />
Skifferolje AB holdings on alumn shales<br />
in southern Sweden, which contain U,<br />
Mo, V, Ni, oil and carbon.<br />
ScanMining’s concentration plant at<br />
Barsele will be in construction before<br />
the end <strong>of</strong> this year.<br />
Dragon Mining’s Svartliden Au<br />
mine is forecast to produce 68,000 oz<br />
during the first year and 50,000 oz/y<br />
after that. Current reserves are 287,000<br />
oz (5,54T) and resources 420,000 oz.<br />
Mining costs are forecast at US$190/oz<br />
the first year and thereafter US$240/oz.<br />
Nordic Diamonds acquired Nyborg<br />
VMS in northern Sweden near Boliden’s<br />
Kristineberg mine (so far the largest producer<br />
in the Skellefte district); at Nyborg,<br />
56 previous core holes by the Geological<br />
Survey <strong>of</strong> Sweden defined a 600-m zone<br />
containing ~0.621 Mt <strong>of</strong> 0.47% Cu, 2.8%<br />
Zn, and 28 g Ag. Drill intercepts from<br />
this prospect assayed up to 6.1% Zn,<br />
0.4% Cu, and 50 g Ag over 8.3 m.<br />
North American Gold Inc. (NAG) has<br />
started drilling on the 1.3-km-long massive<br />
magnetite deposit, Stora Sahavaara,<br />
on its Pajala project, which contains<br />
some gold and sulfides, including chalcopyrite.<br />
Farther north along strike on<br />
the Finnish side <strong>of</strong> the border, a similar<br />
magnetite deposit has been mined on not<br />
just iron but also gold. Historic ore reserve<br />
calculations show 100 Mt <strong>of</strong> magnetite<br />
ore with 43.7% Fe. In the Skirasen-<br />
Barsele Norra area an updated calculation<br />
shows 639,000 oz Au in indicated<br />
and inferred categories at 1.7g. Further<br />
core and AC drilling are ongoing.<br />
Beowulf initiated an agreement with<br />
Gold Fields Exploration B.V. to evaluate<br />
Beowulf’s Ballek licences, covering<br />
a 10-km-long zone, Cu-Au shows<br />
located north <strong>of</strong> Arjeplog in northern<br />
Sweden. The best known among them is<br />
Lulepotten, where historic SGU work in<br />
the 1960s and 1970s defined 5.1 Mt ore<br />
at 0.73% Cu and 0.25 g Au.<br />
International Gold Exploration’s<br />
summer drilling at Olserum showed<br />
continuation <strong>of</strong> the Heavy REO deposit<br />
down to at least 200 m depth and considerable<br />
thickening <strong>of</strong> the mineralization.<br />
The REO is associated with apatite<br />
and REM in an iron skarn layer. With a<br />
new method developed at Bergskolan,<br />
Filipstad, the company is able to filter<br />
the waste water from the former Cu-Co<br />
Gladhammar mine, which also contains<br />
some parts with high gold grades.<br />
This will meet the environment requirements<br />
that so far have stopped further<br />
development at this site.<br />
Lundin Mining is planning to buy<br />
another zinc mine in Europe to double<br />
its zinc production to 340 000–350 000<br />
tpy, making them the seventh biggest<br />
zinc producer in the world. New Boliden<br />
has a production <strong>of</strong> 375,000 tpa. The<br />
company has also discovered a new<br />
prosperous deposit <strong>of</strong> classic VMS-type<br />
on its Copperstone project 26 km<br />
northeast <strong>of</strong> its Storliden mine.<br />
Mawson Resorces extended RC<br />
drilling and soil geochemistry along a<br />
13-km gold trend from Vargbacken<br />
prospect to Middagsberget. At<br />
Middagsberget, RC drilling has indicated<br />
a mineralized area <strong>of</strong> 100 × 100<br />
m down to 80 m depth. The mineralization<br />
is however open in all directions.<br />
Several encouraging results are reported,<br />
including 1 m with 20.3 g Au within a 4<br />
m <strong>of</strong> 5.79 g Au. Gold is associated with<br />
quartz veins in silica-chlorite-albite-carbonate–altered<br />
diorites.<br />
A large area along the “Gold Line”<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 37<br />
immediately south <strong>of</strong> the traditional<br />
Skellefte district has been staked by<br />
Mawson, including the Duobblon uranium<br />
deposit hosted in an ignimbrite<br />
flow.<br />
Many former “sleeping” uranium<br />
prospects in Sweden are now re-staked,<br />
mainly by Ge<strong>of</strong>orum Scandinavia and<br />
also Mawson Resources and Svenska<br />
Skifferoljebolaget.<br />
SOUTH AMERICA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
José A. Perelló (<strong>SEG</strong> 1989 F)<br />
Regional Vice President South America<br />
Ant<strong>of</strong>agasta Minerals<br />
Ahumada 11, Piso 12, Santiago, Chile<br />
E-mail: jperello@aminerals.cl<br />
Contributions from<br />
Craig A. Feebrey (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996 F) – Chile<br />
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National<br />
Corporation (JOGMEC)<br />
Darryl D. Lindsay (<strong>SEG</strong> 2001) – Ecuador<br />
EcuaCorriente S.A.<br />
Steve Jensen (<strong>SEG</strong> 1999) – Peru<br />
Teck Cominco Peru S.A.<br />
CHILE<br />
On the back <strong>of</strong> a controversial Specific<br />
Mining Tax, finally signed in June <strong>of</strong><br />
this year, and a great deal <strong>of</strong> negative<br />
publicity regarding Barrick Gold’s<br />
development <strong>of</strong> Pascua-Lama, with<br />
commodity prices the way they are, it is<br />
<strong>of</strong> no surprise to see the mining industry<br />
in Chile booming. One only has to take<br />
a look at developments in place or<br />
attempt to claim ground in any one <strong>of</strong><br />
the prospective mineral belts in Chile to<br />
realize the importance <strong>of</strong> Chile in many<br />
companies’ investment strategy. The<br />
Chilean Copper Commission<br />
(Cochilco) estimated that gold and copper<br />
mining investment in Chile could<br />
total US$15.22 billion between 2004<br />
and 2008!<br />
Among these investments, a major<br />
US$637M expansion <strong>of</strong> Los Pelambres<br />
(Ant<strong>of</strong>agasta plc-Japanese consortium)<br />
was approved in 2005, while major upand-coming<br />
projects in 2006 include production<br />
from BHP Billiton’s US$990M<br />
Spence and US$870M Escondida (bacterial<br />
leach) projects, and the US$1.4 billion<br />
development <strong>of</strong> Barrick’s 17-Moz<br />
Pascua-Lama gold project.<br />
Andina Minerals Corp. has reported<br />
results from drilling the Dorado East<br />
zone on its Volcan project (Andina<br />
Minerals Corp., 100% option) located in<br />
the Maricunga belt. Hole DVA-001<br />
returned 146 m @ 1.27 g/t Au from surface,<br />
with a second intersection occurring<br />
from 262 m returning 24 m @ 0.67<br />
g/t Au. The true thickness <strong>of</strong> the 146-m<br />
mineralized interval is estimated to be<br />
approximately 60 m. The company is<br />
planning further drilling during the<br />
2005–2006 season in order to expand<br />
the size <strong>of</strong> the Dorado East and Central<br />
mineralized zones.<br />
Antafogasta Minerals is on track to<br />
complete a US$15.3M prefeasibility<br />
study on its Esperanza deposit by<br />
October 2006. Approximately 40,000 m<br />
<strong>of</strong> drilling should be completed by early<br />
fall. A 2.2 km decline is currently under<br />
construction. Esperanza has an inferred<br />
in-pit sulfide resource <strong>of</strong> 367 Mt @<br />
0.64% Cu and 0.29 g/t Au.<br />
Barrick Gold has received significant<br />
negative publicity since announcing its<br />
plans to develop the Pascua-Lama gold<br />
deposit. Opposition has focused on<br />
Barrick’s plan to relocate part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
glacier in order to access the ore, arguing<br />
that this could have an impact on<br />
water supply to local farmers and harm<br />
the environment. Construction is due to<br />
commence in 2006, with the start production<br />
in 2009, with an output <strong>of</strong><br />
750,000–775,000 oz/yr <strong>of</strong> gold and<br />
32–34 Moz/yr <strong>of</strong> silver a year for the<br />
first 10 years <strong>of</strong> operation.<br />
In order to secure a stable, long-term<br />
copper supply to China, China’s<br />
Minmetals and Corporacion Nacional<br />
del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) formalized<br />
a maximum US$2 billion joint venture,<br />
with US$550M going toward<br />
Codelco’s Gaby project, which is in the<br />
pipeline to be developed around 2010.<br />
Geocom Resources Inc. announced<br />
the results from 512 m <strong>of</strong> drilling on<br />
their Escorpion project located in the<br />
Coquimbo district, <strong>of</strong> Region IV. Better<br />
intersections include hole ES-01, 7.8 m<br />
@ 0.94 g/t Au; hole ES-02, 10.8 m @<br />
2.03 g/t Au.<br />
International PBX Ventures<br />
announced the results from an additional<br />
1,350 m, five-hole, DD program<br />
on its Copaquire Cu-Mo porphyry project<br />
located 15 km west <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Collahuasi mine. Significant intercepts<br />
include Cerro Moly zone-hole CQ09,<br />
176.8 m @ 0.056% Mo from 28.6 m,<br />
including 30 m @ 0.122% Mo from 43.6<br />
m, and Sulfato zone - hole CQ05, 108 m<br />
@ 0.41% Cu from 224.8 m, and CQ10,<br />
93 m @ 0.48% Cu from 89.8 m. A more<br />
extensive and systematic 25,000-m drill<br />
program is planned on the Copaquire<br />
target during 2005.<br />
Mena Resources completed a 22-hole<br />
RC drill program on its Vaquillas-<br />
Cenizas gold-silver project. Ten holes<br />
were drilled in the Vaquillas area. Better<br />
intersections include hole VQ003, 54 m @<br />
0.69 g/t Au, and 24.4 g/t Ag from 106 m;<br />
and hole VQ009, 68 m @ 0.67 g/t Au,<br />
and 23.1 g/t Ag, from 108 m. Of the six<br />
holes drilled in the Cenizas area, only<br />
hole CZ005 intercepted significant mineralization,<br />
returning 198 m @ 0.<strong>45</strong> g/t Au.<br />
Drilling on the Rio Figueroa project<br />
(Metallica Resources Inc., 100%<br />
option), located approximately 85 km<br />
southeast <strong>of</strong> Copiapó, intercepted 348 m<br />
@ 0.30% Cu and 0.30 g/t Au, which<br />
included 70 m @ 0.59% Cu and 0.31 g/t<br />
in the Cerro Matta area. Nine holes<br />
totaling 2,884 m were drilled, with five <strong>of</strong><br />
these holes intercepting anomalous Cu-<br />
Au mineralization with Cu > 0.10% and<br />
Au > 0.10 g/t over intervals in excess <strong>of</strong><br />
100 m. Further drilling is planned. The<br />
Rio Figueroa project includes a cluster <strong>of</strong><br />
6 porphyry Cu-Au occurrences, in addition<br />
to an epithermal Au occurrence<br />
known as Quebradas. The best hole<br />
drilled at Quebradas, QG-02, returned 17<br />
m @ 1.98 g/t Au that included 8 m @<br />
3.70 g/t Au.<br />
Quadra Mining has announced an<br />
independent resource estimate on its<br />
Sierra Gorda Cu-Mo project. Sierra<br />
Gorda is estimated to contain indicated<br />
and inferred sulfide resources <strong>of</strong> 397.3<br />
Mt @ 0.38% Cu and 0.05% Mo (COG =<br />
0.34% Cu equiv), in addition to an indicated<br />
and inferred oxide and supergene<br />
resources <strong>of</strong> 217.24 Mt @ 0.36% Cu<br />
(COG = 0.2% Cu). A 15,000-m RC drill<br />
program will try and expand oxide<br />
resource and carry out further exploration<br />
in the area.<br />
Regalito Copper Corp. (previously<br />
Lumina Copper) is raising finance to<br />
purchase by water and surface rights<br />
and provide general working capital in<br />
connection with the development <strong>of</strong> its<br />
Regalito copper project.<br />
An updated resource estimate for the<br />
Cinabrio deposit <strong>of</strong> 6.51 Mt @ 1.49%<br />
Cu, 0.03 g/t Au and14.3 g/t Ag has<br />
been reported by SMC Gold Ltd. SMC<br />
Gold plans to develop Cinabrio as part<br />
<strong>of</strong> their Punitaqui operation already in<br />
production.<br />
South American Gold and Copper<br />
and Rio Tinto signed a letter <strong>of</strong> understanding<br />
earlier in the year to explore<br />
the Pimenton Cu-Au porphyry. Rio<br />
Tinto has agreed to drill four DD holes<br />
within the first year,<br />
to page<br />
after which they have 38 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
38 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 37<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
an option to enter a formal joint venture<br />
agreement. Rio Tinto can potentially<br />
earn a 60% interest.<br />
On Trio Gold’s San Ramon Cu-Au-<br />
Co project, located <strong>45</strong> km west <strong>of</strong><br />
Copiapo, step-out drilling testing the<br />
San Ramon shear intersected 7.7 m @<br />
5.4% Cu, 1.51 g/t Au, and 0.05% Co<br />
from 103.3 m. Trio Gold is planning to<br />
conduct further drilling to test geophysical<br />
anomalies associated with the same<br />
mineralized structure.<br />
Valencia Ventures reported earlier in<br />
the year results <strong>of</strong> a 16-hole RC drill<br />
program on its Cachinal Ag-Au project.<br />
Targeting historical workings, better<br />
intersections include hole CLRC-02, 21<br />
m @ 189.3 g/t Ag, and 0.05 g/t Au from<br />
63 m; and in hole CLRC-12, 18 m @<br />
231.4 g/t Ag, and 0.19 g/t Au from 122<br />
m. Further exploration including RC<br />
drilling is planned.<br />
ECUADOR<br />
Aurelian Resources has completed a<br />
four-hole, 573-m, angled diamond drill<br />
program at the Las Penas-Bonza gold<br />
deposit in southeastern Ecuador. All<br />
holes tested cross structures <strong>of</strong> the main<br />
structural system with hole CP05-42<br />
returning the best results <strong>of</strong> 101 m @<br />
2.85g/t Au including 14.47 m @ 14.47<br />
g/t Au. Previous work at Penas-Bonza<br />
has determined an inferred resource <strong>of</strong><br />
15 Mt @ 1.07 g/t Au and 11.6 g/t Ag, at<br />
a 0.75 g/t Au equiv cut<strong>of</strong>f.<br />
Approximately 20 km southwest from<br />
the Las Penas-Bonza project, Aurelian<br />
confirmed gold mineralization associated<br />
with a northeast-trending, southeast-dipping<br />
shear zone, and identified<br />
several other vein and shear systems at<br />
the Bella Vista prospect.<br />
Further reconnaissance exploration<br />
for epithermal Au-Ag mineralization by<br />
Cornerstone Capital Resources on the<br />
Shyri project in south-central Ecuador<br />
has identified at least three areas <strong>of</strong><br />
interest—Tasqui, Wison and areas<br />
adjacent to IAMGOLD’s Quimsacocha<br />
concessions—in addition to the<br />
Canaribamba area. These areas are<br />
reported to be gold bearing and have<br />
epithermal-style stockwork systems and<br />
vein arrays with advanced argillic and<br />
quartz-alunite alteration. Recent rock<br />
chip samples returned values up to 46.6<br />
g/t Au and 19.1 g/t Ag over 0.4 m in the<br />
Canaribamba area.<br />
Reconnaissance work by Cornerstone<br />
continues on the Rinconada and<br />
Monterrey concessions. A 3,000-m drill<br />
program by Largo Resources is testing<br />
six IP geophysical anomalies on its<br />
Macuchi property in central Ecuador.<br />
Skeena Resources has begun a drill<br />
program on the El Corazon gold project<br />
in northwestern Ecuador. Previous<br />
drilling on the property returned 2.3 g/t<br />
Au over 70.8 m in DDH34, in DDH37<br />
2.1 g/t Au over 90 m, and more recently<br />
underground sampling by Skeena<br />
returned 9.7 g/t Au over 56 m.<br />
Rock chip sampling reporting up to<br />
6.26 g/t Au and 79 g/t Ag over 8 m confirmed<br />
the presence <strong>of</strong> mineralization in<br />
Dynasty’s Cola prospect. Recent<br />
drilling, 3,084 m in 32 holes, in the<br />
adjacent Papayal and Cerro Verde<br />
mineralized zones, returned intersections<br />
<strong>of</strong> 25.37 m @ 2.0 g/t Au and 8 g/t<br />
Ag in hole 05DDH24, and 14.0 m @2.34<br />
g/t Au and 10 g/t Ag in hole 05DDH25.<br />
Laurentian University<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences<br />
Mineral Exploration Research Centre<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
The Department <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration Research Centre at Laurentian<br />
University invite applications for a tenure-track faculty position in <strong>Economic</strong> Geology to be<br />
filled in July 2006. We are particularly interested in candidates who have strong field and<br />
theoretical backgrounds in magmatic and/or hydrothermal ore deposits in Precambrian rocks.<br />
Applicants should have strong research records and be committed to excellence in teaching at the<br />
undergraduate and graduate levels. Supervision <strong>of</strong> graduate students within a vigorous,<br />
externally-funded research program is expected. Applicants must hold a PhD degree by the time<br />
<strong>of</strong> appointment.<br />
The successful candidate will work and interact with faculty, undergraduate and graduate<br />
students, and post-doctoral fellows in the Department <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences and Mineral Exploration<br />
Research Centre. The Department currently <strong>of</strong>fers BSc degrees in Geology and Environmental<br />
Earth Sciences, thesis-based and applied MSc degrees in Geology, and PhD degrees in Ore<br />
Deposits and Precambrian Geology. Faculty and students have access to excellent light optical,<br />
electron optical, and geochemical analytical equipment, including FLINC, SEM, EPMA, WD-<br />
XRF, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, and EBSD. Additional information about the Department<br />
and MERC can be found at http:www.laurentian.ca/geology.<br />
Send curriculum vitae, including a complete list <strong>of</strong> publications, a statement <strong>of</strong> teaching interests,<br />
long- and short-term research goals, and the names and mail/e-mail addresses <strong>of</strong> at least (4)<br />
academic references to: Faculty Search Committee, Department <strong>of</strong> Earth Sciences, Laurentian<br />
University, Sudbury, Ontario P3E 2C6, Canada, e-mail: DES@laurentian.ca, Fax: (705) 675-<br />
4898. Screening <strong>of</strong> applications will begin 01 November 2005, but applications will be accepted<br />
until the position is filled.<br />
Laurentian University is a bilingual institution and an equal opportunity employer. It has a policy<br />
<strong>of</strong> passive bilingualism (English/French) as a condition <strong>of</strong> tenure. The university is committed to<br />
equity in employment and encourages applications from women, aboriginal peoples, members <strong>of</strong><br />
visible minorities, and persons with disabilities.<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 39<br />
The previously reported positive feasibility<br />
study completed by Corriente<br />
Resources for the Mirador project in<br />
southeastern Ecuador <strong>of</strong> in-pit Indicated<br />
Resources <strong>of</strong> 111 Mt @ 0.67% Cu and<br />
0.22 g/t Au (at a cut<strong>of</strong>f <strong>of</strong> 0.4% Cu) continues<br />
to undergo optimization.<br />
Optimization studies include a recently<br />
completed two-stage infill drill program<br />
<strong>of</strong> some 11,850 m in 51 drill holes, a pit<br />
slope review, and inclusion <strong>of</strong> Ag revenue<br />
in the mine model. Recent drilling<br />
encountered high grade mineralization.<br />
Drill hole M116 reported 58 m @ 1.94%<br />
Cu and 0.33 g/t Au in enrichment, from<br />
58 m depth, and continued in primary<br />
mineralization with 269 m @ 0.66% Cu<br />
and 0.17 g/t Au. A new resource calculation<br />
incorporating this drilling and<br />
updated geological modeling is<br />
expected by the end <strong>of</strong> September.<br />
IAMGOLD continues to report infill<br />
and expansion drill results from its<br />
Quimsacocha project in south-central<br />
Ecuador. Results include hole 190 with<br />
59.3 m @ 5.1 g/t Au, hole 192 with 67.5<br />
m @10.3 g/t Au, hole 197 with 50.4 m @<br />
7.9 g/t Au, hole 210 with 54.8 m @5.3<br />
g/t Au, and hole 221 with 58.2 m @ 4.1<br />
g/t Au. The current drilling may be<br />
completed by August, at which time an<br />
independent resource estimate will commence<br />
with a presentation date <strong>of</strong> late<br />
fall.<br />
Metallurgical results reported by<br />
IAMGOLD for the Quimsacocha project<br />
indicate roughly 99% <strong>of</strong> gold and<br />
copper is extracted using a process <strong>of</strong><br />
pressure oxidation followed by cyanidation<br />
<strong>of</strong> the residue. In unoptimized<br />
floatation tests 94 to 97% <strong>of</strong> Au and 98<br />
to 99% <strong>of</strong> copper reported to the concentrate<br />
which treated with pressure<br />
oxidation and cyanide extracted 97% <strong>of</strong><br />
the gold.<br />
Recent drilling by IMC at its Rio<br />
Blanco project intersected high-grade<br />
mineralization <strong>of</strong> up to 151 g/t Au and<br />
647 g/t Ag over 1.2 m, in a newly discovered<br />
vein system following the<br />
drilling <strong>of</strong> some 1930 m in 13 drill<br />
holes. Drilling continues in this sector in<br />
order to develop an inferred resource.<br />
IMC has also completed some infill<br />
and condemnation drilling on the<br />
immediately adjacent Alejandra<br />
deposit and infrastructures areas for<br />
which the company will complete a feasibility<br />
study in January 2006.<br />
PERU<br />
Exploration activity for gold and copper<br />
in Peru continues at a strong pace<br />
despite the growing anti-mining sentiment<br />
in Peru led by left-wing NGO’s,<br />
very political church leaders, drug-traffickers,<br />
and political groups vying for<br />
higher pr<strong>of</strong>iles leading up to the next<br />
federal election in April 2006. The general<br />
widespread frustration, leaving the<br />
communities open to be swayed by the<br />
above mentioned groups, is largely due<br />
to the lack <strong>of</strong> perceived benefits for the<br />
regional communities from the mining<br />
operations as well as the federal governments<br />
and business community’s<br />
apparent lack <strong>of</strong> interest in the problem,<br />
to date, and refusal to pay attention<br />
to the underlying causes <strong>of</strong> the<br />
protests—inequality, frustration and a<br />
feeling <strong>of</strong> abandonment in the regions.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> these factors together are creating<br />
an environment <strong>of</strong> hostility toward<br />
mining and exploration companies.<br />
One can hope that the increased quantity<br />
<strong>of</strong> mining income tax and royalty<br />
funds available to the communities will<br />
be utilized for beneficial projects in the<br />
regions (infrastructure, etc.), and that<br />
the mining and exploration companies<br />
and federal government develop and<br />
carry out more proactive social and<br />
community relations programs.<br />
Drilling by Bear Creek Mining on its<br />
optioned Corani Ag-Au property continues<br />
to show encouraging silver (±<br />
lead-zinc) results with the second ninehole<br />
program returning an average <strong>of</strong><br />
109 g/t Ag over 52 m in all holes (up to<br />
62 m @ 128 g/t Ag, 48 m @ 156 g/t Ag<br />
and 127 m @ 93 g/t Ag). Previous holes<br />
included 78 m @ 130.6 g/t Ag and 52 m<br />
@ 102.6 g/t Ag. Mineralization has been<br />
outlined over a 1,300-m strike length<br />
and remains open in all directions.<br />
Trenching has identified new targets to<br />
the east. To date, Bear Creek has drilled<br />
3,000 m and drilling continues. Trench<br />
results to date include 120 m @ 115 g/t<br />
Ag and 132 m @ 50 g/t Ag. Bear Creek<br />
has also commenced a 500-m, threehole<br />
drill program at their optioned<br />
Pichacani Au-Ag prospect in southern<br />
Peru.<br />
Chariot Resources continues to come<br />
up with encouraging results on the<br />
Marcona Copper JV in southern Peru.<br />
Chariot has completed ~40,000 m <strong>of</strong> a<br />
55,000-m drill program in a 1.8 × 0.8<br />
km area. Latest results include 100 m @<br />
2.32% Cu, 40 m @ 4.19% Cu, 64 m @<br />
1.7% Cu, 36 m @ 2.4% Cu, 62 m @<br />
1.7% Cu, and 76 m @ 1.2% Cu in sulfides,<br />
as well as 102 m @ 0.87% Cu, 70<br />
m @ 1.3% Cu, and 60 m @ 1.1% Cu in<br />
oxides. Chariot hopes to have a new<br />
resource estimate completed by early<br />
fall and a scoping study done by the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> the year. The previous resource<br />
estimate is 218 Mt @ 0.80% Cu.<br />
Peru Copper continues to drill their<br />
Toromocho porphyry Cu project<br />
located in central Peru, having drilled<br />
~100,000 m in 180 holes. Previous operators<br />
drilled 42,394 m. Current global<br />
resource is 1.58 Gt @ 0.49% Cu, 0.015%<br />
Mo and 6.8 g/t Ag including a higher<br />
grade core <strong>of</strong> 818 Mt @ 0.64% Cu,<br />
0.022% Mo and 8.3 g/t Ag. Issues<br />
include metallurgy and social risk as<br />
the adjacent community <strong>of</strong> Morococha<br />
will have to be relocated. A new mineral<br />
resource and prefeasibility study is<br />
expected later in 2005.<br />
Phase two drilling (4,365 m in 13<br />
holes) by Candente Resource Corp.<br />
on their Cañariaco copper property,<br />
located in northern Peru, has expanded<br />
the area <strong>of</strong> mineralization to the south<br />
by 750 m. The mineralization remains<br />
open at depth and laterally. Assays<br />
have not been released yet. Phase 1<br />
Candente drilling (2,648 m in 12 holes)<br />
and previous drilling outlined a<br />
resource <strong>of</strong> 76.5 Mt @ 0.61% Cu and<br />
0.10 g/t Au (0.3% Cu cut<strong>of</strong>f) in a 400 ×<br />
400 m area. Xstrata is reporting positive<br />
results from the current drilling taking<br />
place on their Las Bambas Cu<br />
property located in southern Peru.<br />
Xstrata has completed 30,385 m in 132<br />
drill holes so far in 2005 and expects to<br />
complete 50,000 m by year end. Xstrata<br />
acquired Las Bambas from the Peru<br />
government for initial cash payments <strong>of</strong><br />
US$91M and further commitments.<br />
Social problems continue with several<br />
NGO’s threatening more action.<br />
Serious social problems continue at<br />
Monterrico Mineral’s Rio Blanco Cu-<br />
Mo porphyry property, located on the<br />
northern Peruvian border with Ecuador,<br />
with a couple <strong>of</strong> violent anti-mining<br />
protests having taken place recently.<br />
Monterrico has resumed drilling on the<br />
project as part <strong>of</strong> the ongoing feasibility<br />
study. The new indicated and inferred<br />
resource at Rio Blanco is 213 Mt @<br />
0.89% Cu and 0.022% Mo at 0.7% Cu<br />
cut<strong>of</strong>f. Rio Blanco has a global resource<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1.3 Gt @ 0.57% Cu and 0.022% Mo at<br />
a 0.4% Cu cut<strong>of</strong>f. Latest drilling by<br />
Quadra Mining on the Magistral Cu-<br />
Mo property located in northern Peru<br />
has returned up to 253 m @ 1.19% Cu<br />
and 0.062% Mo, 126 m @ 1.0% Cu and<br />
0.13% Mo, 140 m @ 082% Cu, and<br />
0.144% Mo and 142<br />
to page<br />
m @ 0.88% Cu and<br />
40 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
40 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 39<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
0.109% Mo. Quadra completed 12,103<br />
m drilling in 47 holes and a prefeasibility<br />
study is in progress. Quadra is earning<br />
a 51% interest in the project from<br />
Inca Pacific Resources.<br />
Barrick’s Alto Chicama HS gold<br />
mine in northern Peru was <strong>of</strong>ficially<br />
inaugurated and will produce 800,000<br />
opy gold for the first three years.<br />
Reserves are 229 Mt @ 1.24 g/t Au for<br />
9.1 Moz gold. AngloGold Ashanti has<br />
sold 100% <strong>of</strong> its Rescatada gold deposit<br />
to Peruvian national company<br />
Aruntani for US$12.5M. AngloGold<br />
retains a back-in right to 60% interest if<br />
more than 2Moz gold is outlined within<br />
three years. In a further blow to<br />
Sulliden Exploration, the arbitration<br />
process regarding ownership at the<br />
Shahuindo gold property has been<br />
temporarily suspended. Sulliden is in<br />
the midst <strong>of</strong> a heated battle against<br />
Peruvian company ATIMMSA over<br />
ownership <strong>of</strong> the property. Junior<br />
Fortuna Silver Mines has acquired<br />
100% <strong>of</strong> the Caylloma silver mine from<br />
Peruvian company Hochschild for a<br />
total <strong>of</strong> US$7.6M plus shares equaling<br />
10.8% <strong>of</strong> Fortuna. Cayllloma has 14<br />
Moz Ag in reserves and resources and<br />
Fortuna hopes to restart the mine<br />
within a year at an annual production<br />
<strong>of</strong> 2 Moz Ag.<br />
The latest drilling by Acero-Martin<br />
on the Pinaya Au-Cu property returned<br />
up to 57.7 m grading 1.04 g/t Au and<br />
1.00% Cu, 46.8 m @ 1.1% Cu and 0.3<br />
g/t Au, 169.5 m @ 0.5% Cu & 0.7 g/t<br />
Au, 98.5 m @ 0.7% Cu, and 0.9 g/t Au.<br />
To date, 20 holes have been drilled by<br />
Acero-Martin and copper-gold mineralization<br />
has been intercepted over a 1<br />
km strike length. Recent phase 3 drilling<br />
by Absolut Resources on their Pico<br />
Machay gold property returned up to<br />
76.5 m @ 1.06 g/t Au, 70.5 m @ 1.17 g/t<br />
Au, 49.5 m @ 1.69 g/t Au, 30 m @ 2.32<br />
g/t Au, and 54 m @ 1.24 g/t Au. A<br />
resource estimate is in progress.<br />
Work by Gitennes Exploration on its<br />
optioned Tucumachay gold property<br />
has returned trench results up to 20 m<br />
@ 5.65 g/t Au, 10.1 m @ 5.23 g/t Au, 10<br />
m @ 5.82 g/t Au, 10 m @ 5.5 g/t Au,<br />
13.5 m @ 5.11 g/t Au, and 10 m @ 6.33<br />
g/t Au. Drilling is planned for later in<br />
the year. Gitennes has an option from<br />
Inmet Mining to earn 100% by spending<br />
US$1.6M by 2008 with Inmet retaining<br />
a back-in right to 60%. Drilling at<br />
Berenguela by optionee Silver<br />
Standard Resources continues to return<br />
high-grade silver intercepts including 49<br />
m @ 605 g/t Ag, 36 m @ 691 g/t Ag, and<br />
63 m @ 128 g/t Ag. Silver Standard has<br />
completed 18,972 m in 222 holes and<br />
expects a resource estimate soon.<br />
Norsemont Mining plans to carry<br />
out a 15-hole, 5,000-m drill program on<br />
its optioned Constancia Cu-Au-Mo porphyry<br />
property located in southern<br />
Peru. Drilling <strong>of</strong> 13,200 m by Rio Tinto,<br />
Mitsui, and Minera Livitaca/Katanaga<br />
has outlined a geological resource <strong>of</strong><br />
189 Mt @ 0.68% Cu and 209 ppm Mo<br />
(at a 0.5% Cu cut<strong>of</strong>f) in a 1.5 by 10.0<br />
km area. Overall resource is 608 Mt @<br />
0.48% Cu and 0.15% Mo (at a 0.3% Cu<br />
cut<strong>of</strong>f). Results include up to 168 m <strong>of</strong><br />
1.14% Cu and 44 m <strong>of</strong> 1.1% Cu with<br />
copper mineralization comprising chalcocite<br />
and chalcopyrite. JOGMEC has<br />
optioned Northern Peru Copper’s (ex-<br />
Lumina) Pashpap Cu-Mo property<br />
located in north-central Peru. JOGMEC<br />
and earn 51% interest by paying<br />
US$200,000 and doing US$5M worth <strong>of</strong><br />
work over four years. Pashpap has a<br />
non-compliant resource <strong>of</strong> 101 Mt @<br />
0.64% Cu and 0.049% Mo.<br />
Antares Minerals has calculated an<br />
inferred independent resource <strong>of</strong> 210 Mt<br />
@ 0.46% Cu on its optioned Huaquira<br />
Cu property, located in southern Peru<br />
immediately south <strong>of</strong> Las Bambas. Of<br />
the total resource there is 121 Mt @<br />
0.49% Cu in mixed secondary and<br />
oxides, and 89.2 Mt @ 0.43% Cu in primary<br />
sulfides. Vena Resources plans to<br />
carry out 2,000-m drilling on their<br />
Aurora porphyry Cu project located in<br />
southern Peru. Previous drilling<br />
returned up to 116 m @ 0.4% Cu. Vena<br />
is also becoming the first junior to register<br />
on the Lima venture stock exchange.<br />
Work by NDT Ventures on their Cori<br />
Puncho property in southern Peru has<br />
returned up to 7 m <strong>of</strong> 2.1 g/t Au, 15 m<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1.58 g/t Au, and 50 m <strong>of</strong> 0.49 g/t Au<br />
in trench samples across the Main shear<br />
zone. Drilling will begin soon. Tinka<br />
Resources plans to carry out 3,000-m<br />
drilling on the Luminaria gold property<br />
located in the Huaraz region <strong>of</strong> northern<br />
Peru. Most <strong>of</strong> the holes will test geophysical<br />
targets. Andresmin has completed<br />
3,640 m drilling in 11 holes on<br />
the Winicocha copper property located<br />
in southern Peru. Assays are pending.<br />
Solex Resources and Frontier Pacific<br />
Mining continue to explore for uranium<br />
in south-eastern Peru. Work to<br />
date on their Macusani project includes<br />
mapping, sampling, and ground geophysics<br />
(101 line-km radiometrics).<br />
Several interesting zones have been<br />
identified to date. Junior Andean<br />
American plans to drill 5,000 m in 28<br />
holes on its Sinchao polymetallic property<br />
located in the Hualgayoc area <strong>of</strong><br />
northern Peru after finally securing<br />
land title and all permits. Drilling will<br />
focus on geophysical targets and test<br />
the grade and continuity <strong>of</strong> the polymetallic<br />
mineralization.<br />
WESTERN<br />
CANADA<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
T.G. (Tom) Schroeter (<strong>SEG</strong> 1988 F)<br />
300-865 Hornby Street<br />
Vancouver, BC<br />
Canada V6Z 2G3<br />
Tel: 604-660-2812<br />
E-mail: Tom.Schroeter@gov.bc.ca<br />
Contribution from<br />
Stephen P. Quin (<strong>SEG</strong> 1992 F) – Nunavut<br />
MANITOBA<br />
Exploration for nickel, copper, zinc and<br />
gold is on the rise across the province<br />
due to strong commodity prices. Several<br />
companies, including mining giant De<br />
Beers, are exploring for diamonds in<br />
Manitoba’s far north. This year’s<br />
increased activity is expected to bump<br />
expenditures to around CAN$37M.<br />
Inco announced in August that it will<br />
spend $<strong>45</strong> million to develop the 1-D<br />
Lower ore body in Thompson.<br />
Development will commence in 2006<br />
and first production is scheduled for<br />
2008. The new mine development will<br />
also provide access to additional exploration<br />
targets at depth.<br />
Crowflight Minerals conducted a<br />
winter drill campaign on their Bucko<br />
deposit in Wabowden. A National<br />
Instrument (NI) 43-101 compliant<br />
resource calculation concluded the<br />
deposit contains an indicated resource<br />
<strong>of</strong> 1.22 million tonnes (Mt) grading<br />
2.71% Ni. A feasibility study currently<br />
in progress is expected to be completed<br />
in September.<br />
Nuinsco Resources commenced a<br />
scoping study to evaluate the potential<br />
<strong>of</strong> open pit and underground mining <strong>of</strong><br />
the Minago deposit, located 140 km
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 41<br />
south <strong>of</strong> Thompson. A recent study concluded<br />
Minago contains a measured<br />
and indicated resource <strong>of</strong> 29.84 Mt<br />
grading 0.64% Ni. Winter drilling on<br />
the Main zone at Minago intersected a<br />
2<strong>45</strong>.9-m interval grading 0.68% Ni.<br />
In the Flin Flon-Snow Lake area,<br />
Hudbay Minerals (formerly OntZinc<br />
Corporation) acquired Hudson Bay<br />
Mining and Smelting from Anglo<br />
American in late 2004. In February,<br />
Hudbay announced that it would spend<br />
$10M on exploration over 12 months<br />
on their large Manitoba- and<br />
Saskatchewan-based property portfolio.<br />
Mustang Minerals acquired 100%<br />
interest in the Mayville property in the<br />
Bird River Belt in southeastern<br />
Manitoba. Drilling commenced in June<br />
to test conductors associated with the<br />
12-km-long layered, mafic-ultramafic<br />
Mayville intrusion. By early August, 16<br />
holes had been completed on the M2<br />
zone, all intersecting wide intervals<br />
(minimum 20 m true thickness) <strong>of</strong> sulfide<br />
mineralization containing lowgrade<br />
nickel-copper-PGE values. The M2<br />
zone conductor has 1.2 km <strong>of</strong> untested<br />
strike length remaining, and other geophysical<br />
targets remain to be tested.<br />
Mustang Minerals also owns 100%<br />
interest in the Maskwa nickel deposit<br />
30 km south <strong>of</strong> the Mayville property.<br />
An NI 43-101 compliant resource calculation<br />
completed in February estimates<br />
Maskwa contains an indicated open pit<br />
and underground resource <strong>of</strong> 6.0 Mt,<br />
grading 0.74% Ni and 0.15% Cu.<br />
Drilling conducted in the spring was<br />
successful in extending the Maskwa<br />
deposit to the east.<br />
Bema Gold and Wolfden Resources<br />
conducted another round <strong>of</strong> winter<br />
drilling at their Monument Bay property<br />
in northeast Manitoba. Drilling at<br />
the Twin Lakes and Seeber River zones<br />
intersected high-grade values, including<br />
4.8 m grading 31.71 g/t Au and 3.28 m<br />
grading 41.95 g/t Au. Inferred resources<br />
at Monument (2004) are 1.07 Mt, grading<br />
15.36 g/t Au, using an 8 g/t cut<strong>of</strong>f.<br />
In southeastern Manitoba, San Gold<br />
Resources and Gold City Industries<br />
amalgamated to form San Gold<br />
Corporation. San Gold owns the Bissett<br />
gold mine which consists <strong>of</strong> an 1,100tpd<br />
mill and mine with proven and<br />
probable reserves <strong>of</strong> 818,000 t, grading<br />
9.2 g/t Au. San Gold anticipates having<br />
the Bissett mine back into production<br />
by the fourth quarter <strong>of</strong> 2005. The company<br />
also has 3 other near-surface gold<br />
deposits located in close proximity to<br />
the Bissett operation in various stages <strong>of</strong><br />
exploration or development.<br />
NUNAVUT<br />
Exploration activities continued at a<br />
high level across Nunavut, focused on<br />
gold, diamonds and base metals with or<br />
without PGMs.<br />
Nunavut’s last mining operation,<br />
Goldcorp’s (and formerly Echo Bay’s)<br />
Lupin mine ceased operations, joining<br />
Nanasivik and Polaris as operations in<br />
reclamation.<br />
The largest exploration program in<br />
the Territory continues to be Miramar<br />
Mining’s Hope Bay project, which is<br />
nearing completion <strong>of</strong> a 30,000+ m drill<br />
program focused on advancing portions<br />
<strong>of</strong> the three main deposits to feasibility<br />
status. Miramar reported some outstanding<br />
results from the Madrid<br />
deposit, including 66.5 m grading 11.5<br />
g/t Au in the Naartok zone. On the permitting<br />
front, Miramar continues to<br />
work its way through getting a second<br />
NIRB approval for its Doris North<br />
deposit.<br />
In January, Miramar completed the<br />
sale <strong>of</strong> its option to earn 60% from<br />
Kinross on the Back River project to<br />
Dundee Precious Metals. Dundee is<br />
undertaking a $9M, 18,000-m drilling<br />
program to further define the George<br />
Lake and Goose Lake deposits.<br />
At Meadowbank, Cumberland completed<br />
a feasibility study in February<br />
2005 that confirmed potential for a<br />
large open pit operation at a capital<br />
cost <strong>of</strong> $300M and cash costs <strong>of</strong> US$224<br />
per oz Au. It is now in the midst <strong>of</strong> the<br />
NIRB permitting process. Cumberland is<br />
also undertaking a $3.5M exploration<br />
program at Meadowbank to increase<br />
resources and reserves. Cumberland<br />
also has a 22% carried interest in the<br />
Meliadine West project with Comaplex<br />
Minerals, where a 15,000-m drilling<br />
program is underway to expand the<br />
West Tiriganiaq deposit. Results so far<br />
include up to 13.7 g/t Au over 6.4m.<br />
Gold Fields converted its 55% interest<br />
in the Committee Bay project into<br />
shares <strong>of</strong> Committee Bay Resources,<br />
but granted Gold Fields a one time back<br />
in right to forgo the equity and retain<br />
its 55% interest. In the Committee Bay<br />
belt in eastern Nunavut, drilling<br />
focused on the Three Bluffs area, with<br />
results that included 46 g/t Au over 3.7<br />
m and 13g/t Au over 2.2 m, as part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
$8M program planned for 2005.<br />
Wolfden was active at its High<br />
Lake polymetallic deposit, where it<br />
intersected three new zones <strong>of</strong> massive<br />
sulfides, including the Sand zone 12 km<br />
north <strong>of</strong> High Lake, where the first drill<br />
hole on a UTEM target intersected 2.7%<br />
Cu over 21 m.<br />
Sabina Resources announced a significant<br />
resource increase at the now<br />
100% owned (subject to a back in right<br />
by Teck Cominco) Hackett River massive<br />
sulfide deposit, reporting over 50<br />
Mt polymetallic mineralization dominated<br />
by zinc and silver values. Sabina<br />
is undertaking a resource expansion<br />
program and has reported intercepts <strong>of</strong><br />
up to 10% Zn and 230 g/t Ag over 23<br />
m.<br />
Diamond exploration continues to be<br />
active in a number <strong>of</strong> areas. Tahera’s<br />
Jericho diamond project received its<br />
permits in early 2005 and mobilized<br />
approximately 550 truckloads <strong>of</strong> equipment,<br />
materials, and supplies to the<br />
Jericho site. Construction is reported to<br />
be well underway for a targeted completion<br />
at year end; this will be Nunavut’s<br />
first diamond mine.<br />
In the Churchill area, partners<br />
Stornoway, Shear Minerals and BHP<br />
Billiton reported their first macrodiamond<br />
from the property, one <strong>of</strong> 11 kimberlites<br />
discovered in 2005, including<br />
one in outcrop. On Wales Island, partners<br />
Stornoway, Strongbow and BHP<br />
intersected kimberlite on their first hole.<br />
In the Melville Peninsula,<br />
Stornoway, BHP Billiton, and Hunter<br />
Exploration resumed exploration on<br />
the Aviat project, where 6 diamondiferous<br />
kimberlites have been discovered,<br />
including AV-1, which returned a grade<br />
<strong>of</strong> 0.8 carats per tonne.<br />
In the Slave province, Ashton and its<br />
partners are undertaking a summer<br />
drilling program at Kikerk Lake in the<br />
Coronation Gulf area.<br />
WESTERN<br />
UNITED STATES<br />
Regional Correspondent:<br />
Roger C. Steininger (<strong>SEG</strong> 1978)<br />
Consulting Geologist, 3401 San Mateo Ave.<br />
Reno, NV 89509<br />
Tel: 775-323-7775<br />
Fax 775-323-1134<br />
E-mail: audoctor@aol.com<br />
ARIZONA<br />
Augusta Resource Corp. acquired the<br />
copper resources in the Rosemont district<br />
(Pima County),<br />
to page<br />
consisting <strong>of</strong> the<br />
42 ...<br />
EXPLORATION REVIEWS
EXPLORATION REVIEWS<br />
42 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
... from 41<br />
Exploration Reviews (Continued)<br />
Rosemont, Peach Elgin, and Broadtop<br />
Butte deposits. The aggregate resource<br />
is estimated at 5 billion pounds <strong>of</strong> copper,<br />
with molybdenum credits. Augusta<br />
is commissioning a drilling program<br />
and a prefeasibility study to define<br />
near-surface oxide and deeper sulfide<br />
reserves.<br />
CALIFORNIA<br />
Although the headline read “Gold Mine<br />
becomes Copper Mine” it was not referring<br />
to the Las Vegas gold show where<br />
your favorite property is being pushed<br />
as a uranium opportunity this year,<br />
when it was diamond play last year<br />
and gold target the year before. In this<br />
case, Sutter Gold Mining had $10,000<br />
worth <strong>of</strong> copper cable ripped <strong>of</strong>f (literally)<br />
from its Sutter Creek property.<br />
The perpetrators apparently went<br />
underground and removed the copper<br />
cable, giving a whole new meaning to<br />
underground copper mining.<br />
NEVADA<br />
White Knight Resources must be given<br />
an award for its effort to obtain free<br />
consulting. They have launched the<br />
Lower Plate Challenge. Anyone can go<br />
to their website and make an estimate<br />
<strong>of</strong> where the Lower Plate will be<br />
encountered during drilling at any one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the White Knight properties. Firstplace<br />
prize is a weekend in Las Vegas<br />
and $1,000 cash. Two questions: is the<br />
second place prize two weekends, and<br />
does the Lower Plate refer to the Roberts<br />
Mountains fault or the last dirty dish in<br />
the sink?<br />
Royal Standard Minerals<br />
announced the start <strong>of</strong> mining at<br />
Goldwedge (Nye County) with an initial<br />
bulk sample <strong>of</strong> 3,000 to 5,000 tons.<br />
A facility was built at the site to capture<br />
coarse gold, with the finer gold to be<br />
recovered by heap leaching.<br />
Gold Summit continues to drill at<br />
Monte Cristo (Nye County), but several<br />
recent holes failed to find extensions <strong>of</strong><br />
mineralization to the northeast, southwest,<br />
and other places along the “controlling<br />
fault structure.” Drilling is continuing,<br />
but the focus has turned to<br />
in-filling the resource. At least one analyst<br />
(now there is a good source) estimates<br />
that the deposit has potential for<br />
a small high-grade reserve containing<br />
0.5 to 1.0 Moz gold.<br />
Agnico-Eagle completed three holes<br />
at NDT Ventures’ Trend property in<br />
Eureka County. The holes encountered<br />
a “strongly altered and potentially mineralized<br />
system” between 1,800 and<br />
2,140 ft deep. Alteration consists <strong>of</strong> silica<br />
“flooding,” clay, and pyrite with up<br />
to 74 ppb Au. That sounds like a thousand<br />
other places in the Great Basin.<br />
Three drills are now working at<br />
Midway Gold Corp’s Spring Valley<br />
property (Pershing County). Results continue<br />
to be “all over the map.”<br />
Mineralized intervals vary from a few<br />
feet up to about 100 ft with grades in<br />
the low to mid-0.0X opt Au range, with<br />
the occasional quarter- to as much as<br />
one-half ounce <strong>of</strong> gold per ton.<br />
Castleworth Ventures’ 24 RC holes<br />
in the Black Stallion area <strong>of</strong> the Pan<br />
project (White Pine County) show<br />
promise for outlining another gold<br />
deposit. Some <strong>of</strong> the more significant<br />
intercepts include 40 ft <strong>of</strong> 0.101 opt Au,<br />
85 ft <strong>of</strong> 0.036 opt Au, and 90 ft <strong>of</strong> 0.039<br />
opt Au, all starting at, or near, the surface.<br />
The rest <strong>of</strong> the holes encountered<br />
intervals from 5 to 220 ft with grades in<br />
the 0.01–0.03 opt Au range, containing<br />
narrower intervals <strong>of</strong> higher grades.<br />
Black Stallion is 1,000–2,000 ft west <strong>of</strong><br />
the Pan fault, which hosts the Pan<br />
deposit. Mineralization seems to be<br />
along a north-south structure that is<br />
traceable for at least two miles.<br />
Idaho General Mines filed a Plan <strong>of</strong><br />
Operations with the BLM to place the<br />
Mt. Hope molybdenum project (Eureka<br />
County) into production. Idaho General<br />
claims that there are at least 1.3 billion<br />
pounds <strong>of</strong> recoverable molybdenum at<br />
Mt. Hope. Now all they need is $400<br />
million to develop the deposit, the<br />
molybdenum market stay robust, and<br />
Phelps Dodge not to return Climax to<br />
production.<br />
Canyon Resources terminated its<br />
option to acquire the Hycr<strong>of</strong>t property<br />
(Humboldt County) from Vista Gold<br />
Corp. Canyon completed 33 drill holes<br />
totaling 12,475 ft and produced a new<br />
resource estimate. The new measured<br />
and indicated resource at the<br />
Brimstone deposit is 52.7 million tons<br />
(Mt) with an average grade <strong>of</strong> 0.019 opt<br />
Au. Part <strong>of</strong> Canyon’s reason for terminating<br />
the option was “increased costs,<br />
as well as shortage <strong>of</strong> labor and large<br />
mining equipment.” Too bad they hadn’t<br />
taken advantage <strong>of</strong> the Nevada<br />
Exploration Futures Market in Rachel to<br />
secure the needed labor and equipment<br />
(see last issue’s comments).<br />
Two RC drill holes intersected highgrade<br />
gold at Gateway Gold’s Crusher<br />
target, about 600 ft northeast <strong>of</strong> the<br />
North Sammy pit (Elko County). One<br />
intercept is 135 ft <strong>of</strong> 0.122 opt Au and<br />
the other 25 ft <strong>of</strong> 0.818 opt Au. More<br />
drilling is in progress to define these<br />
gold-bearing zones.<br />
Quincy Energy released a news<br />
release outlining the results <strong>of</strong> a sevenhole,<br />
7,700-ft RC program at its Seven<br />
Troughs property (Pershing County).<br />
The three pages explained why a couple<br />
<strong>of</strong> deep 10-ft intervals <strong>of</strong> 0.01X opt Au<br />
represent “an interesting low-grade bulk<br />
mineable target … in extensive pyrite<br />
bearing zones.” Really?<br />
UTAH<br />
Palladon Ventures announced that it<br />
would start commercial production <strong>of</strong><br />
iron ore from the Comstock/Mountain<br />
Lion iron project (Iron County) in the<br />
fall. Magnetite concentrate will be produced<br />
and shipped to a Chinese purchaser.<br />
Lithic Resources leased the Crypto<br />
zinc property from EuroZinc Mining<br />
Corp. In 1993, Cyprus Minerals estimated<br />
that the deposit contains about 6<br />
Mt <strong>of</strong> sulfide mineralization with a<br />
grade <strong>of</strong> 8.6% Zn and an oxide resource<br />
<strong>of</strong> about 3.1 Mt with an average grade<br />
<strong>of</strong> 7% Zn.<br />
There is no decay in uranium activity<br />
in Utah. Over 6,000 claims were staked<br />
in the Plateau counties <strong>of</strong> San Juan,<br />
Emery, Grand, and Garfield since the<br />
start <strong>of</strong> the year, mostly for uranium.<br />
Constellation Copper Corp. completed<br />
13 drill holes in the newly discovered<br />
Flying Diamond copper deposit.<br />
All <strong>of</strong> the holes intersected copper mineralization<br />
averaging 83 ft thick with<br />
an average grade <strong>of</strong> 0.70% Cu. The<br />
deposit is open in all directions, except<br />
to the east-northeast where it abuts the<br />
east splay <strong>of</strong> the Lisbon Valley fault.<br />
Mineralization is primarily chalcocite,<br />
cuprite, and bornite in sandstone members<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Cretaceous Dakota and<br />
Burro Canyon Formations. Silver is present<br />
in the range <strong>of</strong> 0.6 to 82.4 ppm. 1
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 43<br />
The <strong>Society</strong> Welcomes<br />
The Following<br />
NEW1FELLOWS:<br />
Donald M. Burton Etruscan Resources,<br />
Inc., Windsor, NS, Canada; Sandra J.<br />
Foster, Cameco Corporation, Saskatoon,<br />
SK, Canada; Chris J. Gaughan, Elwood,<br />
VIC, Australia; Oleksandr V. Grinchecko,<br />
National Taras Shevchenko University <strong>of</strong><br />
Kiev, Kyiv, Ukraine; Ge<strong>of</strong>frey A. Handley,<br />
Placer Dome, Inc., Vancouver, BC,<br />
Canada; Stephen J. Jensen, Teck<br />
Cominco Perú S. A., Lima, Perú; Karen D.<br />
Kelley, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver,<br />
CO; Luis W. Rivera Quispe, Minera Perú<br />
Copper Syndicate S. A., Lima, Perú;<br />
Thomas Sant, Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia,<br />
Inc.; Jon Scoates, Consulting Geologist,<br />
Ottawa, ON, Canada; William H.<br />
Wulftange, Meridian Gold Company,<br />
Reno, NV.<br />
The <strong>Society</strong> Welcomes<br />
The Following<br />
NEW1MEMBERS:<br />
Johanna M. Alitalo, Anglo American<br />
Exploration, Mala, Sweden; Ferdinand<br />
Dumlao, Western Mining Corporation,<br />
Landsdale, WA, Australia; Thomas R.<br />
Gibson, Gibson Consulting, Pagosa<br />
Springs, CO; Steven R. Grusing, Newmont<br />
Mining Corporation, Carlin, NV; Bruce<br />
Hunter, Mt. Magnet Gold N. L.<br />
(Harmony), Perth, WA, Australia; Georgi<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> MEMBERSHIP NEWS<br />
CANDIDATES FOR 1 FELLOWSHIP<br />
To All <strong>SEG</strong> Fellows:<br />
Pursuant to the <strong>Society</strong>’s Bylaws, names <strong>of</strong> the following candidates, who have been recommended for Fellowship by the Admissions<br />
Committee, are submitted for your consideration. Each applicant’s name and current position are followed by the names <strong>of</strong> their <strong>SEG</strong><br />
sponsors. If you have any comments, favorable or unfavorable, on any candidate, you should send them, in writing before<br />
November 15, 2005. If no objections are received by that date, these candidates will be presented to Council for approval.<br />
Address Comments To:<br />
Chair, <strong>SEG</strong> Admissions Committee<br />
SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGISTS • 7811 Shaffer Parkway • Littleton, CO 80127 • USA<br />
Doherty, Mary E., ALS-Chemex, Reno, NV: L. Graham Closs,<br />
Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Edwards, Alaster C., A & J Edwards and Associates Pty Ltd.,<br />
Camberwell, VIC, Australia: Andy Wilde, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Frantz, Jose C., Universidad Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul,<br />
Porte Alegre, RS, Brazil: José A. Perrelló, Jeffrey W.<br />
Hedenquist;<br />
Garnett, Richard H.T., Valrik Enterprises, Inc., Oakville, ON,<br />
Canada: Richard Sillitoe, Jeffrey W. Hedenquist;<br />
Keats, Donna, Reno, NV: Jon Foruria, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Leavitt, James D., Geologix Explorations, Inc., Reno, NV:<br />
William A. Wright, Ronald L. Parratt;<br />
THE SOCIETY ALSO WELCOMES THE ABOVE CANDIDATES AS NEW MEMBERS<br />
I. Magaranov, Rio Tinto Mel, S<strong>of</strong>ia,<br />
Bulgaria; Paul R. Morley, Newmont<br />
Mining Corporation, Accra, Ghana; Jean<br />
Louis Vigneresse, CREGU, Vandoeuvre<br />
Cedex, France; Gernot E. Wober, Hunter-<br />
Dickinson, Inc., Heffley Creek, BC,<br />
Canada; Wade S. Johnson, Newmont,<br />
West Perth, WA, Australia; Sheron T<br />
Kavilia, Skorpion Zinc Mine, Rosh Pinah,<br />
Namibia; Eric A. LeLacheur, Elkhorn<br />
Goldfields, Inc., Boulder, MT; Raul J.<br />
Madrid, Victoria Resources US Inc, Napa,<br />
CA; Damian M. Brett, Phelps Dodge,<br />
Kiruna, Sweden; Musie Gebre-Mariam,<br />
Newmont Australia, West Perth, WA,<br />
Australia; Alex V Gostevskikh, Centerra<br />
Gold, Delta, BC, Canada; Garth E.<br />
Graham, U. S. Geological Survey, Denver,<br />
CO; Koji Hamano, Nikko Exploration and<br />
Development Company, Ltd., Minato-Ku,<br />
Tokyo, Japan; Jane M. Hammarstrom, U.<br />
S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA; George<br />
F. Klemmick, Alaska Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Natural Resources, Chugiak, AK; Brett S.<br />
McKay, Malachite Resources NL, North<br />
Sydney, NSW, Australia; Patrick M.<br />
Manouge, Nickel Australia Limited, West<br />
Perth, WA, Australia; Esteban E. M.<br />
Montoya, Compania Minera Quebrada<br />
Blanca S. A., Iquique, Chile; Juan C.<br />
Sarmiento, Compania de Minas<br />
Buenaventura S. A. A., Lima, Peru; Erika<br />
J. Shepard, Century Mining, Blaine, WA;<br />
Edgar W. Alayo Leon, ASC Peru LDC,<br />
Lima, Peru; Farrell J. Andersen, Prospex<br />
Geological Enterprises, Marsh Lake, YT,<br />
Canada; Richard H.T. Garnett, Valrik<br />
Enterprises Inc., Oakville, ONT, Canada;<br />
Margolis, Jacob, Bullion River Gold Corporation, Reno, NV:<br />
David L. Emmons, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Perkins, Robert A., The Perkins Corporation, Reno, NV:<br />
Tommy B. Thompson, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Piercey, Stephen J., Mineral Exploration Research Centre,<br />
Sudbury, ON, Canada: C. Michael Lesher, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Sheriff, William M., Energy Metals Corporation, Wylie, TX:<br />
Phillip Goodell, Brian G. Hoal;<br />
Zappettini, Eduardo, Servicio Geologico Minero Argentino,<br />
Bueno Aires, Argentina: José A. Perelló, Jeffrey W.<br />
Hedenquist.<br />
Carl James Jackman, Ivanhoe Mines<br />
Monglia, Moonah, TAS, Australia;<br />
Gantumur Khorloo, Mineral Resources<br />
and Petroleum Authority <strong>of</strong> Mongolia,<br />
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Luis Olcay,<br />
Nacimiento LTD, Santiago, RM, Chile;<br />
Michael B. Skead, Banro Resources, Cape<br />
Town, WP, South Africa; Baojin Zhao,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Fort Hare, Alice, EC, South<br />
Africa.<br />
The <strong>Society</strong> Welcomes<br />
The Following<br />
NEW1STUDENT MEMBERS:<br />
Lila M. Dolansky, McGill University,<br />
Montreal, QC, Canada; Teesa Kamvong,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Tasmania, TAS, Australia;<br />
Javier A. Ortuzar, Universidad de Chile,<br />
Santiago-Nunoa, Chile; Rik Sneep,<br />
Utrecht University, Utrecht, The<br />
Netherlands; Bineli Thierry Olivier,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Geneva, Geneva,<br />
Switzerland; Jesse G. White, University <strong>of</strong><br />
Alaksa-Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK; James<br />
R. Austin, James Cook University,<br />
Townsville, QLD, Australia; Aaron M.<br />
Bertram, McMaster University, Hamilton,<br />
ON, Canada; Sebastian M. Jovic,<br />
Instituto de Recursos Minerales, La Plata,<br />
Argentina; Bronto Sutopo, University <strong>of</strong><br />
Tasmania, TAS, Australia; Michael L.<br />
Takaichi, University <strong>of</strong> Arizona, Tucson,<br />
AZ; Elizabeth R. Sharman-Harris,<br />
University <strong>of</strong> the Witwatersrand,<br />
Johannesburg, South Africa. 1
ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />
44 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
EXPLORING THE MODERN MINERALS RENAISSANCE<br />
NORTHWEST MINING ASSOCIATION’S 111TH<br />
ANNUAL MEETING, EXPOSITION & SHORT COURSES<br />
DECEMBER 5 - 9, 2005 - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON<br />
SHORT COURSES~ INDUSTRY BRIEFINGS<br />
Uranium Short Course & Field Trip Avoiding Permitting Pitfalls & Delays<br />
on Federal Lands Passive Treatment <strong>of</strong> Mining Influenced Waters<br />
Geology-Focused NI 43-101 Reports Traditional Mapping vs. Digital .. Get<br />
With The Digital Age! Principles and Practices <strong>of</strong> Water Management Using<br />
Land Application NIOSH Industry Briefing and USGS Industry Briefing<br />
MINERAL DEPOSITS, GEOLOGY AND EXPLORATION SESSIONS<br />
<strong>SEG</strong>’s New Developments in Porphyry Copper Deposits State & Province<br />
Reports New Trends - Redefining Mineral Wealth Alaska Projects<br />
Moving Forward Large Left Lateral Leaps in Geo-Logic/Primordial Rocks<br />
& Extreme Life Re-Discoveries and New Ideas<br />
BUSINESS AND FINANCE SESSIONS<br />
The Business <strong>of</strong> Mining With a Social License Growth Companies Through<br />
2005 The Business <strong>of</strong> Exploration & Mining - Financing Your Mine<br />
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner!<br />
OPERATIONS SESSIONS<br />
Operations Summit Health and Safety in a Booming Mining Industry<br />
Minerals & Metallurgical Processing<br />
LEGISLATIVE & PUBLIC AFFAIRS SESSIONS<br />
Winning a Social License Through Sustainable Development Legislative Affairs<br />
ENVIRONMENTAL SESSIONS<br />
Reclamation Successes Restoration <strong>of</strong> Abandoned Mines<br />
For more information contact NWMA<br />
Phone: (509) 624-1158 Fax: (509) 623-1241<br />
Email: pheywood@nwma.org Web: nwma@nwma.org<br />
XII Colombian Mining Congress<br />
- Exploration and mining in<br />
tropical terrains<br />
- Mineral Resources<br />
- Mineral production added value<br />
- Field Trips<br />
- Case studies<br />
Colombian Jewelry<br />
- Commercial Jewelry<br />
- Industrial Jewelry<br />
- Artisan Jewelry<br />
- Equipment / Inputs<br />
- Associate companies <strong>of</strong> work. (E.A.T.),<br />
- Emeralds<br />
A Business meeting<br />
- Industrial and mineral<br />
potential <strong>of</strong> Colombia<br />
- Legal and Fiscal conditions<br />
- Mining investment show<br />
- Investors and exchange<br />
Forum<br />
- Mineral prospects and<br />
mining portfolio<br />
Exhibitions<br />
- Exploration Equipment<br />
- Mining Equipment<br />
- Mining Services<br />
SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGISTS AT<br />
THE NWMA MEETING<br />
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN PORPHYRY COPPER DEPOSITS: GEOLOGIC<br />
ORIGINS, EXPLORATION, & ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS<br />
TECHNICAL SESSION<br />
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2005<br />
Morning session - 8:00 am - 11:15 am<br />
Session Chair: John H. Dilles (<strong>SEG</strong> Fellow 1987), Department <strong>of</strong><br />
Geosciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.<br />
E-mail: dillesj@geo.oregonstate.edu; Tel: +1.541.737.12<strong>45</strong><br />
Session Description: Porphyry Cu (±Au, ±Mo) deposits are some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
most economically important mineral deposits on earth. The session will<br />
explore what modern geologic and analytical geochemistry studies are<br />
learning about porphyry deposits. Presentations will examine factors that<br />
form porphyry deposits, such as sources <strong>of</strong> metals and fluids, length <strong>of</strong> magmatism<br />
and hydrothermal activity, wall-rock alteration and veins, regional<br />
geology, and tectonics (Butte, Montana); geology <strong>of</strong> current exploration<br />
areas in east Asia and South America, and environmental geology and<br />
geochemistry <strong>of</strong> acid-mine waters related to the Butte superfund site.<br />
Speakers and topics include:<br />
Geology, Geochronology, and Geochemistry <strong>of</strong> Porphyry Cu-Mo<br />
Ores and Base Metal Lodes at Butte, Montana, John H. Dilles,<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Geosciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR<br />
El Morro, Chile ppy Cu-Au, Paul E. Dircksen, Exploration Advisor,<br />
Coeur d’Alene, ID<br />
Geochemistry and Remediation <strong>of</strong> Acidic Mine Waters at Butte,<br />
Montana, (Invited) Chris Gammons, Montana Tech <strong>of</strong> University <strong>of</strong><br />
Montana, Butte, MT<br />
Current Exploration <strong>of</strong> the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, (Invited) Peter<br />
Mitchell, QGX, Ltd., Waterdown, ON, Canada<br />
CONGRESO ARGENTINO DE ASOCIACIÓN ARGENTINA DE<br />
GEOLOGÍA ECONÓMICA GEÓLOGOS ECONOMISTAS<br />
VIII CONGRESO ARGENTINO<br />
DE GEOLOGÍA ECONÓMICA<br />
November, 15-17, 2005<br />
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA<br />
The Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> <strong>of</strong> Argentina<br />
invites you to the VIII Congress <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology.<br />
This international event will <strong>of</strong>fer the opportunity to<br />
present papers on South American Metallogeny, New<br />
Discoveries, Prospecting, and <strong>Economic</strong> Evaluation <strong>of</strong><br />
new projects, as well as Environmental Studies and related<br />
topics.<br />
The exploration and mining <strong>of</strong> VMS and SEDEX deposits<br />
will be emphasized, and Argentina’s prospectivity for<br />
PGE mineralization in mafic and ultramafic complexes<br />
will be reviewed.<br />
________________________________________________<br />
Contact<br />
Dr. Vicente Méndez<br />
Presidente del VIII Congreso Argentino de Geología Económica<br />
Maipú 6<strong>45</strong>, Primer Piso, 1006 ACG Buenos Aires<br />
e-Mail: congreso@aage.org.ar<br />
www.aage.org.ar
OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER <strong>45</strong><br />
personal notes & news<br />
CAREER-RELATED<br />
CHANGES<br />
TERENCE J. BOTTRILL (<strong>SEG</strong> 1992) has been<br />
named exploration manager with<br />
Canadian Shield. Previous employment<br />
has included work for Inco, Rio Algom,<br />
and Battle Mountain Canada. Terence has<br />
40 years <strong>of</strong> experience working in various<br />
terranes around the world.<br />
ODIN D. CHRISTENSEN (<strong>SEG</strong> 1982 F) was<br />
appointed director <strong>of</strong> CMQ Resources.<br />
PETER J. DOYLE (<strong>SEG</strong> 1996) was appointed<br />
by Troy Resources NL to the position <strong>of</strong><br />
Exploration and Business Development<br />
Manager.<br />
LINDSAY B. GILLIGAN (<strong>SEG</strong> 1997) has been<br />
appointed Director, Geological Survey <strong>of</strong><br />
New South Wales, based in Maitland, New<br />
South Wales, Australia.<br />
TOMAS M. GUERRERO (<strong>SEG</strong> 1997 F) has been<br />
appointed director with Fortuna Minerals.<br />
STEPHEN JURAS (<strong>SEG</strong> 1979) was appointed<br />
manager <strong>of</strong> geology for Eldorado Gold.<br />
Prior to joining Eldorado, Stephen was<br />
chief geologist with AMEC Americas.<br />
JAMES B. LINCOLN (<strong>SEG</strong> 1989 F) has been<br />
named vice president <strong>of</strong> corporate development<br />
for Jinshan Gold Mines.<br />
THOMAS K. MANCUSO (<strong>SEG</strong> 1985) has been<br />
named president <strong>of</strong> a three-way merger <strong>of</strong><br />
Reno-based Western Goldfields Inc., TSX<br />
venture-listed Romarco Minerals Inc., and<br />
Colorado-based US Gold Corp. Thomas<br />
has been chief executive <strong>of</strong> Western<br />
Goldfields.<br />
BORDEN PUTNAM III (<strong>SEG</strong> 1980 F) was<br />
appointed director for Eurasian Minerals.<br />
MICHAEL B. SKEAD (<strong>SEG</strong> 2005) has been<br />
promoted to vice president-exploration by<br />
Banro Corp. Michael was previously<br />
exploration manager at Banro. He will be<br />
responsible for directing gold exploration<br />
activities in the Democratic Republic <strong>of</strong><br />
Congo.<br />
DON R. TAYLOR (<strong>SEG</strong> 1982 F) has been<br />
appointed vice president <strong>of</strong> exploration for<br />
Doe Run Co.<br />
RODNEY N. THOMAS (<strong>SEG</strong> 1993), formerly<br />
vice president, exploration, with Diadem<br />
Resources Ltd., was promoted to the position<br />
<strong>of</strong> president, CEO, and director <strong>of</strong> the<br />
company. Previous employment included<br />
work with BHP Minerals Canada Ltd.,<br />
Saskatchewan Mining Development<br />
Corporation, and Urangesellschaft<br />
Canada Ltd.<br />
ROBIN S. TOLBERT (<strong>SEG</strong> 2001) has resigned<br />
as vice president <strong>of</strong> exploration for Ross<br />
River Minerals.<br />
AWARDS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS<br />
Many Thanks, Jeremy!<br />
JEREMY P. RICHARDS (<strong>SEG</strong> 1985 F), who has<br />
served as technical editor <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Newsletter since April 2003, announced<br />
that he will be stepping down from the<br />
volunteer position after the current issue.<br />
His responsibilities have included soliciting,<br />
selecting, and reviewing feature articles,<br />
as well as shepherding them through<br />
additional peer review. He has also been<br />
responsible for the <strong>Economic</strong> Geology<br />
Commentary column. The <strong>Society</strong> appreciates<br />
the many hours Jeremy devoted to<br />
seeking out interesting work for publication<br />
and will miss his scrupulous editing<br />
and oversight. We thank him for his commitment<br />
and wish him well!<br />
Farewell to Long-Time <strong>SEG</strong> Staffer<br />
JEAN THOMS, first employed by <strong>SEG</strong> in the<br />
early 1990s, retired from her position as<br />
Head <strong>of</strong> Subscription Services in August.<br />
Jean's contribution to the growth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Society</strong> over 13 years was enormous and<br />
we all owe her a great debt <strong>of</strong> gratitude.<br />
We wish her well in her retirement.<br />
2005 Mining Hall Inductee<br />
CHARLES MEYER (1915–1987)<br />
has been inducted into the<br />
National Mining Hall <strong>of</strong><br />
Fame. Born September 30,<br />
1915, in St. Louis, Missouri,<br />
Charles received his bachelor’s<br />
and master’s degrees<br />
from Washington University,<br />
and a master’s in geology from<br />
Harvard, where he studied under L.C.<br />
Graton and Donald H. McLaughlin.<br />
He took a position as research geologist<br />
with Anaconda Copper Mining<br />
Company, working under chief geologist<br />
Reno H. Sales, with whom he studied the<br />
mineralization <strong>of</strong> the district around<br />
Butte, Montana. The outgrowth <strong>of</strong> the<br />
study, involving an analysis <strong>of</strong> mineralogy<br />
and ore controls with laboratory support,<br />
was a detailing <strong>of</strong> the process <strong>of</strong> ore<br />
formation and its effect on wall rocks.<br />
Based on the work, Charles was awarded<br />
a Ph.D. by Harvard in 1950.<br />
In 1953, Charles joined the University<br />
<strong>of</strong> California at Berkeley. He retired to<br />
Sedona, Arizona, in 1982, becoming an<br />
adjunct pr<strong>of</strong>essor at the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Arizona.<br />
A dedicated member <strong>of</strong> <strong>SEG</strong>, Charles<br />
was named President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> in<br />
1971, and received the <strong>SEG</strong> Penrose Gold<br />
Medal in 1982.<br />
Sam Adams to Receive AGI Award<br />
SAMUEL S. ADAMS (<strong>SEG</strong><br />
1975 F) is the 2005<br />
American Geological<br />
Institute (AGI) Medalist<br />
in Memory <strong>of</strong> Ian<br />
Campbell. This award is<br />
presented to a geoscience<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional in recognition<br />
<strong>of</strong> singular performance<br />
in and contributions<br />
to the pr<strong>of</strong>ession <strong>of</strong> geology.<br />
Campbell had remarkable accomplishments<br />
that gave him widespread influence<br />
in the geosciences. AGI’s Medal in<br />
Memory <strong>of</strong> Ian Campbell is the<br />
Institute’s most distinguished award.<br />
Sam received his bachelor’s and master’s<br />
degrees from Dartmouth College<br />
and his Ph.D. from Harvard University<br />
in economic geology. Following graduation,<br />
Adams worked for the International<br />
Minerals and Chemical Corporation<br />
in New Mexico, and then was<br />
named chief geologist at Anaconda<br />
Company.<br />
In 1986, Sam was made chair <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Geology and Geological<br />
Engineering at Colorado School <strong>of</strong><br />
Mines. After five years <strong>of</strong> working with<br />
students, faculty and staff, Adams<br />
returned to New Hampshire to run the<br />
Loon Mountain Recreation Corporation,<br />
the state’s largest ski and summer resort.<br />
A former president <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>, and most recently,<br />
chair <strong>of</strong> the <strong>SEG</strong> Publications Board, Sam<br />
has served the <strong>SEG</strong> in many capacities.<br />
The award, the most recent <strong>of</strong> many,<br />
will be presented to Sam at the GSA<br />
Presidential Awards on October 15 in<br />
Salt Lake City, Utah.<br />
DEATHS<br />
G. CHRISTIAN AMSTUTZ (<strong>SEG</strong> 1955 SF) died<br />
June 23, 2005, in Switzerland. He had<br />
retired as a pr<strong>of</strong>essor at the University <strong>of</strong><br />
Heidelberg and was a 50-year member <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>SEG</strong> at the time <strong>of</strong> his death.<br />
WILLIAM C. GUSSOW (<strong>SEG</strong> 1951 SF) died<br />
August 20, 2005, in Ontario, Canada. He<br />
was 97 years old. No additional information<br />
is available.<br />
ANNOUNCEMENTS
46 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
–<br />
DUES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE OF JANUARY 1, 2006<br />
[ ]:<br />
Fellow, Member - Standard US$95.00 � <strong>Society</strong> US$_________<br />
Electronic Membership US$75.00 � <strong>SEG</strong> Foundation General Fund US$_________<br />
E-Membership w/ print Newsletter Hugo T. Dummett Fund US$_________<br />
Additional US$10.00 � Alberto Terrones L. Fund US$_________<br />
Couples 2 nd Membership US$25.00 � Timothy Nutt Fund US$_________<br />
Student Membership US$10.00 � Hugh E. McKinstry Fund US$_________<br />
Student Membership w/Print Journal US$50.00 � Hickok-RadfordFund US$_________<br />
**Senior Fellows requesting printed journal US$50.00 � <strong>SEG</strong> Canada Foundation – please refer to page 47<br />
**[Senior Fellows not requesting the journal do not pay dues; to retain membership, please return completed form.]<br />
Honorary and Life Fellows, Post-1972 Lindgren Awardees<br />
[Exempt members must indicate if they wish to receive the journal, ] Initial here: _______<br />
An explanation <strong>of</strong> benefits by membership category for 2006 is detailed on page 47.<br />
to the <strong>Society</strong> (<strong>SEG</strong>) and/or the <strong>SEG</strong> Foundation may be included with the dues payment. Income from invested contributionsis<br />
used to support pr<strong>of</strong>essional activities <strong>of</strong> both organizations. The <strong>SEG</strong> and the <strong>SEG</strong> Foundation are tax-exempt501(c)(3) corporations under U.S.<br />
IRS code. The <strong>SEG</strong> Canada Foundation is a charitable organization registered with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Member Number (from mailing label) ____________ Date:______________________<br />
[circle one]<br />
Mr / Ms / Dr Last Name___________________________________ First Name________________ M. I.____________<br />
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OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 47<br />
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48 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
SOCIETY OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGISTS<br />
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Full details on publications are available on-line at www.segweb.org / Publications<br />
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GUIDEBOOK SERIES:<br />
GB 8: Industrial Mineral Resources <strong>of</strong> the Delaware Basin,<br />
Texas, and New Mexico: J.R. Kyle, Editor; 1990, 203p. $24.00 $19.20<br />
GB 22: Carbonate-Hosted Lead-Zinc-Fluorite-Barite Deposits<br />
<strong>of</strong> North America: K.C. Misra, Editor; 1995, 254p. $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 28: The Carlin-Type Gold Deposits Field Conference:<br />
P.G. Vikre, et al., Editors; 1997, 294p; 3 colored figures $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 29: Geology and Ore Deposits <strong>of</strong> the Oquirrh and Wasatch<br />
Mountains, Utah: D.A. John & G.H. Ballantyne, Editors;<br />
1997 (Revised 1998), 308p; 19 colored figures, 2 oversize<br />
colored plates (in pocket) $40.00 $32.00<br />
GB 30: Gold Deposits <strong>of</strong> Northern Sonora, Mexico: K.F. Clark,<br />
Editor; 1998, 252p.; 12 colored figures, 1 oversized figure,<br />
2 oversized plates (in pocket) $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 31: Epithermal Mineralization <strong>of</strong> the Western Carpathians:<br />
F. Molnár, J. Lexa, & J.W. Hedenquist, Editors; 1999, 274p. $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 32: PART I. Contrasting Styles <strong>of</strong> Intrusion-Associated<br />
Hydrothermal Systems: J.H. Dilles, et al., Editors;<br />
PART II. Geology & Gold Deposits <strong>of</strong> the Getchell Region;<br />
E.J. Crafford, Editor; 2000, 234p. $40.00 $32.00<br />
GB 33: Svec<strong>of</strong>ennian Ore-Forming Environments: Volcanic-<br />
Associated Zn-Cu-Au-Ag, Intrusion-Associated Cu-Au,<br />
Sediment-Hosted Pb-Zn, and Magnetite-Apatite Deposits<br />
<strong>of</strong> Northern Sweden: R.L. Allen, O. Martinsson, and P. Weihed,<br />
Editors; 2004, 175 p. AVAILABLE ON CD ONLY. $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 34: Epithermal Gold Mineralization and Modern Analogues,<br />
Kyushu, Japan: C.A. Feebrey, T. Hayashi, & S. Taguchi,<br />
Editors; 2001 188p. AVAILABLE ON CD ONLY! $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 35: PART I. Proterozoic Iron and Zinc Deposits <strong>of</strong> the Adirondack<br />
Mountains <strong>of</strong> New York and the New Jersey Highlands: J.F. Slack,<br />
Editor; PART II. Environmental Geochemistry and Mining History <strong>of</strong><br />
Massive Sulfide Deposits in the Vermont Copper Belt;<br />
J.M. Hammarstrom & R.R. Seal II; 2001, 294p. $36.00 $28.80<br />
GB 36: Cretaceous Porphyry-Epithermal Systems <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Srednogorie Zone, Bulgaria: K. Bogdanov & S. Strashimirov,<br />
Editors; 2003, 132 p. AVAILABLE ON CD ONLY. $36.00 $28.80<br />
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY MONOGRAPH SERIES:<br />
EG Mono 9: Mineral Deposits <strong>of</strong> Alaska: R.J. Goldfarb &<br />
L.D. Miller, Editors; 1997, 483p., 9 colored figures $<strong>45</strong>.00 $36.00<br />
EG Mono 10: The Giant Kidd Creek Volcanogenic Massive<br />
Sulfide Deposit, Western Abitibi Subprovince, Canada:<br />
M.D. Hannington & C.T. Barrie, Editors; 1999, 676p.,<br />
32 colored figures; hard bound. $60.00 $48.00<br />
EG Mono 11: Massive Sulfide Deposits <strong>of</strong> the Bathurst<br />
Mining Camp, New Brunswick, and Northern Maine:<br />
W.D. Goodfellow, S.R. McCutcheon, & J.M. Peter,<br />
Editors; 2003; 930 p., hardbound. Includes CD-ROM.<br />
(extra postage; see below) $69.00 $55.20<br />
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUES:<br />
10-Volume Bibliography and Index, Volumes 81-90, 1986-1995 $20.00 $16.00<br />
For a complete listing <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> Geology Special Issues,<br />
go to https://store.agiweb.org/seg/<br />
Vol. 98:8 Map Series Issue with Geology <strong>of</strong> the Bajo de la<br />
Alumbrera Porphyry Copper Deposit, Argentina,<br />
by John M. Pr<strong>of</strong>fett; 4 oversize maps in pocket<br />
Vol. 98:8 Offprint. Geology <strong>of</strong> the Bajo de la Alumbrera<br />
Porphyry Copper Deposit, Argentina: John M. Pr<strong>of</strong>fett;<br />
$50.00 $40.00<br />
4 oversize maps in pocket, 2 foldouts; 40p.<br />
Vol. 99:7 Special Issue Devoted to Barite and Zn-Pb-Ag<br />
Deposits in the Red Dog District, Western Brooks Range,<br />
$35.00 $28.00<br />
Northern Alaska: Guest Editors, K.D. Kelley & S. Jennings<br />
<strong>Economic</strong> Geology 100<br />
$50.00 $40.00<br />
th Anniversary Volume: J.W. Hedenquist,<br />
J.F.H. Thompson, R.J. Goldfarb, and J.P. Richards, Editors; 2005,<br />
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REVIEWS IN ECONOMIC GEOLOGY SERIES:<br />
Rev. 5: Sedimentary and Diagenetic Mineral Deposits:<br />
A Basin Analysis Approach to Exploration: E.R. Force,<br />
J.J. Eidel & J.B. Maynard, Editors $10.00 $8.00<br />
Rev. 6: PART A: The Environmental Geochemistry <strong>of</strong> Mineral Deposits:<br />
Processes, Techniques, and Health Issues; G.S. Plumlee & M.J. Logsdon,<br />
Editors; PART B: The Environmental Geochemistry <strong>of</strong> Mineral Deposits:<br />
Case Studies and Research Topics; L.H. Filipek & G.S. Plumlee,<br />
Editors; 1999, Volume set total 583p. Sold only as a set $55.00 $44.00<br />
Rev. 7: Applications <strong>of</strong> Microanalytical Techniques to<br />
Understanding Mineralizing Processes: M.A. McKibben,<br />
W.C. Shanks, III, & W.I. Ridley, Editors; 1998, 271p. $34.00 $27.20<br />
Rev. 8: Volcanic-Associated Massive Sulfide Deposits:<br />
Processes and Examples In Modern And Ancient Settings:<br />
C.T. Barrie & M.D. Hannington, Editors; 1999, 416p. $40.00 $32.00<br />
Rev. 9: Ore Genesis and Exploration: The Roles <strong>of</strong> Organic Matter:<br />
T.H. Giordano, R.M. Kettler, & S.A. Wood, Editors; 2000, 340 p. $49.00 $39.20<br />
Rev. 10: Techniques in Hydrothermal Ore Deposits Geology:<br />
J.P. Richards & P.B. Larson, Editors; 1998, 264 p. $34.00 $27.20<br />
Rev. 11: Metamorphosed and Metamorphogenic Ore Deposits:<br />
P.G. Spry, B. Marshall, & F.M. Vokes, Editors; 2000, 310p. $44.00 $35.20<br />
Rev. 12: Application <strong>of</strong> Radiogenic Isotopes to Ore Deposit<br />
Research and Exploration: D.D. Lambert & J. Ruiz,<br />
Editors; 1999, 208p. $32.00 $25.60<br />
Rev. 13: Gold In 2000: S.G. Hagemann & P.E. Brown,<br />
Editors; 2000, 560p.; 8 colored figures $69.00 $55.20<br />
Rev. 14: Structural Controls on Ore Genesis: J.P. Richards<br />
& R.M. Tosdal, Editors; 2001, 190p. $<strong>45</strong>.00 $36.00<br />
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS SERIES:<br />
SP 3: Ore Reserve Estimates in the Real World:<br />
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SP 4: Carbonate-Hosted Lead-Zinc Deposits:<br />
D.F. Sangster, Editor; 1996, 672p.; hard bound $60.00 $48.00<br />
SP 7: Geology and Ore Deposits <strong>of</strong> the Central Andes:<br />
B.J. Skinner, Editor; 1999, 368p. $38.00 $30.40<br />
SP 8: New Mines and Discoveries in Mexico and Central America:<br />
T. Albinson & C.E. Nelson, Editors; 2001, 362p. $68.00 $54.40<br />
SP 9: Integrated Methods for Discovery: Global Exploration in the<br />
21st Century: R.J. Goldfarb & R.L. Nielsen, Editors; 2002, 392p. $59.00 $47.20<br />
SP 10: Volcanic, Geothermal and Ore-Forming Fluids: Rulers<br />
and Witnesses <strong>of</strong> Processes within the Earth: S.F. Simmons<br />
& I. Graham, Editors; 2003, 360p. $59.00 $47.20<br />
SP 11: Andean Metallogeny: New Discoveries, Concepts,<br />
and Updates: R.H. Sillitoe, J. Perelló, and C.E. Vidal, Editors;<br />
2004, 358p. $59.00 $47.20<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> CONFERENCE SERIES: (Note: CD-ROMs listed are not audio)<br />
Global Exploration 2002: Integrated Methods for Discovery<br />
Abstracts <strong>of</strong> Oral and Poster Presentations, Apr. 14-16, 2002;<br />
E.E. Marsh, R.J. Goldfarb, & W.C. Day, Editors; 150p. $10.00 $ 8.00<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> 2004: Predictive Mineral Discovery Under Cover:<br />
Extended Abstracts. <strong>SEG</strong> and the Centre for Global<br />
Metallogeny (Australia). AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM ONLY. $20.00 $16.00<br />
<strong>SEG</strong> Forum 2005: Controversies on the Origin <strong>of</strong> World-Class<br />
Gold Deposits: Carlin and Witwatersrand, May 14, 2005;<br />
John Muntean, Organizer. AVAILABLE ON CD ONLY. $20.00 $16.00<br />
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OCTOBER 2005 • No 63 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER 49<br />
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<strong>SEG</strong> VIDEO/DVD SERIES: Note: Each tape/DVD includes two one-hour lectures*<br />
Vid. 1: 1) The Genesis <strong>of</strong> Magmatic Ni-Cu (PGE) Sulfide Deposits<br />
2) Physical Volcanology, Geochemistry and Petrogenesis <strong>of</strong><br />
Komatiite Basalt Lava Channels and Channelized Sheet Flows<br />
in the Cape Smith Belt, New Quebec: C. Michael Lesher,<br />
Laurentian University, Sept. 1998 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 2: 1) Worldwide Exploration: Can We Afford It?,<br />
2) Exploration Strategic Planning: Michael J. Knuckey, President,<br />
Noranda Mining Exploration, Ltd., Nov. 1998 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 3: 1) The Porphyry to Epithermal Continuum: Evidence from<br />
Volcanoes and Ore Deposits, 2) Characteristics <strong>of</strong> and Exploration<br />
for Epithermal Gold Deposits in the Circum Pacific: Jeffrey W.<br />
Hedenquist, Consulting <strong>Economic</strong> Geologist, April 1999 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 4: 1) Epithermal Gold Deposits—Characteristics, Classes<br />
and Causes 2) Convergent Evolution and Ore Deposits:<br />
Noel C. White, Consulting <strong>Economic</strong> Geologist, Sept. 1999 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 5: 1) Cordilleran Metallogeny <strong>of</strong> Western Canada<br />
2) Intrusion-related Mineral Deposits: Tectonics, Magmas and<br />
Fluids: John Thompson, Teck Corporation, Feb. 2000 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 6: 1) Geology and Genesis <strong>of</strong> the Irish Zn-Pb-Ag Ore Field<br />
2) The Lisheen Deposits, Ireland: Discovery and Delineation<br />
<strong>of</strong> a Blind Zn-Pb-Ag Orebody: Murray W. Hitzman,<br />
Colorado School <strong>of</strong> Mines, Sept. 2000 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 7: 1) How Orebodies are Found 2) The Arequipa<br />
Resources Pierina Project: David J. Lowell,<br />
Lowell Mineral Exploration, Feb. 2001 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 8: 1) Tectonic Setting and Structural Controls in the Giant<br />
Eocene-Oligocene Porphyry Copper Deposits <strong>of</strong> Northern<br />
Chile 2) Late Cenozoic Mineralization and Crustal Evolution<br />
in a Thickening Arc: The Maricunga and El Indio Mineral<br />
Belts: Constantino Mpodozis, Chilean Geological Survey, Mar. 2001 $25.00 $20.00<br />
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Vid. 9: 1) Mineral Resources and Mining: Supply, Demand the<br />
Environment 2) Supergene Oxidation <strong>of</strong> Copper Deposits:<br />
The Zoning <strong>of</strong> Copper Oxide Minerals and Applications to<br />
Minerals Exploration: William X. Chavez, Jr., New Mexico<br />
Institute <strong>of</strong> Mining, Apr. 2001 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 10: 1) Reflections on the Bre-X Saga<br />
2) Pioneering Mining in the Arctic: Graham Farquharson,<br />
Strathcona Mineral Services, Ltd., Nov. 2001 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 11: 1) Mississippi Valley-type Lead-Zinc Deposits through<br />
Earth History: Implications for Ore Genesis, Crustal Fluid-Flow,<br />
Paleoclimate, and Relation to Shale-Hosted (SEDEX) Deposits:<br />
David L. Leach, U.S. Geological Survey, Mar. 2002 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 12: 1) Discovery History and Geology <strong>of</strong> the Cannington<br />
Ag-Pb-Zn Deposit 2) Advances in Micro-Analytical Technologies<br />
— What a grain can tell you Steve Walters,<br />
Macquarie University, Apr. 2002 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 13: 1) Lode Gold Deposits through Earth History — Patterns<br />
in Space and Time 2) Metallogeny <strong>of</strong> Gold Deposits in<br />
China: R.J. Goldfarb, U.S. Geological Survey, Mar. 2003 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 15: 1) Characteristics <strong>of</strong> Lode Gold Deposits in Greenstone<br />
Belts 2) Geology and Setting <strong>of</strong> Gold Deposits in the North<br />
Carlin Trend, Nevada: François Robert, Barrick Gold, Dec. 2004 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 16: 1) Characteristics and Genesis <strong>of</strong> Carlin-type Gold<br />
Deposits, NV 2) Upwelling Hot Water at a Proposed Nuclear<br />
Waste Repository: Jean Cline, Univ. <strong>of</strong> Nevada, Las Vegas,<br />
Feb. 2005 $25.00 $20.00<br />
Vid. 17: 1) Breccias in Epithermal and Porphyry Deposits:<br />
NEW<br />
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The Birth and Death <strong>of</strong> Magmatic-Hydrothermal Systems<br />
2) The Giant Sediment-Hosted Zn-Pb-Ag Deposits <strong>of</strong><br />
Northern Australia: David R. Cooke, Univ. <strong>of</strong> Tasmania, Feb. 2005 $25.00 $20.00<br />
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ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />
50 <strong>SEG</strong> NEWSLETTER No 63 • OCTOBER 2005<br />
2005<br />
SOCIETY OF<br />
ECONOMIC GEOLOGISTS<br />
Nov. 15–17. VIII Congreso Argentino<br />
de Geología Económica. Buenos Aires,<br />
Argentina. E-mail: congreso@aage.org.ar;<br />
Website: . See p. 44.<br />
★ Dec. 5–9. Northwest Mining<br />
Association (NWMA) Conference.<br />
Spokane, Washington, USA. Website:<br />
.<br />
For more details, see p. 44.<br />
2006<br />
Jan. 5–6. Mineral Deposit Studies<br />
Group (MDSG) 2006. London Annual<br />
Winter Meeting. Natural History Museum,<br />
London. Organized by MDSG in association<br />
with Imperial College London and<br />
the Natural History Museum. website:<br />
. For<br />
information, contact John Chapman,<br />
e-mail: john.chapman@imperial.ac.uk.<br />
May 14–16. <strong>SEG</strong> 2006 Conference –<br />
Wealth Creation in the Minerals<br />
Industry. Keystone Resort & Conference<br />
Center, Keystone, Colorado, USA.<br />
Website: . For complete<br />
details, see pp. 25–28.<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT<br />
★ Aug. 21–24. 12th Quadrennial IAGOD<br />
Symposium; Moscow, Russia. The First<br />
Circular is available for download at<br />
.<br />
2005<br />
Vernon DeRuyter<br />
Exploration Geologist & Hydrologist<br />
Tel: 520-419-26<strong>45</strong>, 744-8600 6880 West Ina Road<br />
Fax: 520-744-8601 Tucson, Arizona 85743<br />
www.rocksandwaters.com•<br />
• International mineral and water projects •<br />
Exploration • Development • Production<br />
Prospect Generation and Evaluation<br />
Geologic Mapping • Drilling Projects<br />
Resource Estimation<br />
Star (★) indicates new entry. Send entries to the <strong>SEG</strong> Office,<br />
attn. <strong>SEG</strong> Production Director: 7811 Shaffer Parkway, Littleton, CO 80127 USA<br />
Tel. +1.720.981.7882/Fax +1.720.981.7874.<br />
OTHER EVENTS<br />
Nov. 13–16. New Zealand Minerals<br />
Conference 2005. Auckland, New<br />
Zealand. Website: .<br />
Nov. 21–24. Quebec Exploration 2005.<br />
Chateau Frontenac, Quebec, Canada<br />
website: .<br />
Email: info@quebecexploration.qc.ca<br />
★ Nov. 28–29. NewGen Gold 2005.<br />
Perth, Western Australia. Sixth in a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> biennial conferences featuring case histories<br />
<strong>of</strong> the world’s most recent gold discoveries.<br />
Organized jointly by Louthean<br />
Media and Keith Yates and Assocs Pty<br />
Ltd. For more information, see the website:<br />
.<br />
Dec. 8–17. Modular Course in<br />
Exploration Geophysics. Sudbury,<br />
Ontario, Canada. Information: Contact<br />
Michael Lesher, Mineral Exploration<br />
Research Centre, Department <strong>of</strong> Earth<br />
Sciences, Laurentian University, 933<br />
Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON,<br />
Canada, P3E 6B5; Ph. +1.705.675.1151<br />
x2364, Fax. +1.705.675.4898. E-mail:<br />
2006<br />
mlesher@laurentian.ca. Website:<br />
.<br />
★ Jan. 23–26. BCYCM Mineral<br />
Exploration Roundup 2006. Vancouver,<br />
BC. “Striving for Excellence in Exploration”.<br />
Website: <br />
★ Mar. 5–8. PDAC 2006 – Prospectors &<br />
Developers Association <strong>of</strong> Canada.<br />
Toronto, Canada. Website: .<br />
★ Mar. 27–29. SME Annual Meeting &<br />
Exhibits. St. Louis, Missouri, USA.<br />
Website: < http://www.smenet.org/meet<br />
ings/AnnualMeeting2006/index.cfm>.<br />
★ Apr. 10–12. Russian Academy <strong>of</strong><br />
Sciences Siberian Branch <strong>of</strong> RAS.<br />
United Institute <strong>of</strong> Geology, Geophysics<br />
and Mineralogy, Scientific Conference<br />
“Topical problems <strong>of</strong> ore formation and<br />
metallogeny”. For more information, see<br />
Website: >http://www.uiggm.nsc.ru/conf/<br />
conf100/><br />
PAUL W. KUHN<br />
Registered Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Geologist<br />
Worldwide mine exploration/production<br />
Exploration project generation/management<br />
PK 69, Kavaklıdere PTT, 06691 Ankara, TURKEY<br />
Tel: +90-542-675-1603 or +90-536-875-1333<br />
U.S. mobile tel: 1-509-990-6786<br />
e-mail: kuhnpw@cs.com<br />
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
NEW<br />
IN<br />
2005<br />
The <strong>Economic</strong><br />
Geology 100 th<br />
Anniversary<br />
Volume celebrates<br />
the centenary <strong>of</strong><br />
the journal. The<br />
volume has three<br />
parts: Earth environments<br />
and<br />
processes, ore<br />
deposit types,<br />
and regional<br />
metallogeny.<br />
Its goal is to<br />
meet the needs<br />
and interests <strong>of</strong> economic geologists in industry,<br />
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student, for concise and up-to-date overview papers<br />
that provide a synthesis <strong>of</strong> important topics in economic<br />
geology.<br />
Editors: Jeffrey W. Hedenquist, John F.H. Thompson,<br />
Richard J. Goldfarb, and Jeremy P. Richards<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong><br />
Hard cover, 1146 pages<br />
95 color plates<br />
CD-ROM with supplemental material<br />
Price: $100 (members, $80)<br />
Online Bookstore: <br />
PREMIER PLUS<br />
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Contact <strong>SEG</strong><br />
Our Headquarters address is<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong>, Inc.<br />
<strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Economic</strong> <strong>Geologists</strong> Foundation, Inc.<br />
7811 Shaffer Parkway · Littleton, CO 80127-3732, USA<br />
Tel. +720.981.7882 · Fax +720.981.7874<br />
E-mail: seg@segweb.org · Website: www.segweb.org<br />
— Staff Phone & E-mail List —<br />
EXECUTIVE Tel. Extension E-mail Address<br />
Brian G. Hoal....................209 ............ director@segweb.org<br />
Christine Horrigan ...........210............. christinehorrigan@segweb.org<br />
ACCOUNTING Tel. Extension E-mail Address<br />
Kathey Fischer .................203 ............ accounting@segweb.org<br />
MEMBERSHIP Tel. Extension E-mail Address<br />
Sue Courtney....................204 ............ membership@segweb.org<br />
Tonya Neu .........................212............. tonyaneu@segweb.org<br />
PUBLICATIONS Tel. Extension E-mail Address<br />
Publications Editing:<br />
Alice Bouley......................202 ............ editing@segweb.org<br />
Newsletter Production:<br />
Christine Horrigan ...........210............. publications@segweb.org<br />
Publication Sales:<br />
Sherol Roy.........................214............. sherolroy@segweb.org<br />
Journal Subscriptions:<br />
Shirley King......................208 ............ subscriptions@segweb.org<br />
<strong>SEG</strong><br />
NEWSLETTER<br />
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LITTLETON, CO 80127-3732 • USA<br />
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