Kiska Metals Corporation  reports about copper and silver results from the recently announced gold discovery at the Island Mountain target, located approximately 23 kilometres south of the Whistler deposit (Alaska).

Island Mountain consists of Whistler-equivalent intrusive rocks, anomalous copper and gold rock and soil geoachemistry and associated gossans covering a 2.5 by 4.0 kilometre area. The discovery hole targeted a 150 metre diameter exposure of hydrothermal breccia.

A further 15 holes are planned to test regional targets in the Whistler corridor as part of a spring 2010 program. These holes will be targeted on the basis of an Induced Polarization (“IP”) geophysical survey as well as geological mapping, geochemistry and previously collected airborne magnetic data. In addition to drilling in 2009, Kiska was conducting a large 3D and 2D IP survey of up to 340 line kilometers. The 2D portion of the survey was finished in September whereas approximately 80% of the 3D survey was completed prior to shutting the program down due to frozen ground conditions that made the collection of high quality data difficult. IP geophysics is an electrical geophysical technique well suited in detecting sub-surface sulphide minerals such as copper-bearing chalcopyrite – a mineral closely associated with gold on the property.

Virginia Heffernan analyses  nature of growing interest in REEs and the role of geophysics in exploration of the mineral deposits.

Economic concentrations of these REE-bearing minerals are generally hosted in, or associated with, alkaline igneous rocks and carbonatites. Airborne magnetic, radiometric, and gravity surveys can be used to delineate the host rocks. Because many carbonatite complexes are surrounded by mafic alkaline rocks, they often show up as a magnetic bull’s eye combined with a gravity low and ringed by a gravity high.

“In general, the host rocks to rare earth deposits are good geophysical responders,” says David Trueman, an expert on REE exploration. “On the ground, geophysics is a secondary tool that might help look for responsive minerals affiliated with the deposit itself.”

Radiometrics, for example, can be an extremely useful technique if the REE deposit is associated with thorium or uranium, as they tend to be. Both Thor Lake and the Mountain Pass carbonatite in California, which has been mined for REEs since 1954, were first discovered during prospecting for uranium.

About recent discovery in Quebec see also http://explorationgeophysics.info/?p=195

Exploration Geophysics, Gadallah, Mamdouh R., Fisher, Ray.

Many text books have been written on the subject “Exploration Geophysics”. The majority of these texts focus on the theory and the mathematical treatment of the subject matter but lack treatment of practical aspects of geophysical exploration. This text is written in simple English to explain the physical meaning of jargon, or terms used in the industry. It describes how seismic data is acquired in 2-D and 3-D, how they are processed to convert the raw data to seismic vertical and horizontal cross sections, that are geologically meaningful, and how these and other data are interpreted to delineate a prospect. Workshops are included after each chapter and are designed to reinforce learning of the concepts presented.

Groundwater Geophysics. A Tool for Hydrogeology. Kirsch, Reinhard (Ed.).

Geophysical techniques can map the underground conditions apart from boreholes. The use of these methods for hydrogeological applications is demonstrated for mapping of porous aquifers, mapping of structural aquifers, determintation of groundwater quality (mineralization), geophysical assessment of hydraulic properties, determination of aquifer vulnerability, and mapping of comtaminated sites. Additionally, a description of applied geophysical techniques used for groundwater studies is given including seismics, resistivity methods, magnetics, and ground penetrating radar. Even advanced techniques like NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) are presented.

Principles of the Magnetic Methods in Geophysics Volume 42. By Alex A. Kaufman, Richard O. Hansen and Robert L. Kleinberg

Covers all the physical and mathematical principles of magnetic methods regardless of the area of application and  presents thorough developments of magnetic methods.

Geophysical Electromagnetic Theory and Methods Volume 43. Michael S. Zhdanov

In this book the author presents the state-of-the-art electromagnetic (EM) theories and methods employed in EM geophysical exploration.
The book brings together the fundamental theory of EM fields and the practical aspects of EM exploration for mineral and energy resources.
This text is unique in its breadth and completeness in providing an overview of EM geophysical exploration technology.

The 40th annual Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House will be held at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, November 30th to December 2nd, 2009. Geophysical events and speakers are going to be there:

Ken Witherly (Condor Consulting) who is a big popularizer of geophysics is going to represent: “2009 – Advances in Geophysics – Adapting to Changing Geological Models”;

Dennis Woods (research scientist, university professor, geophysical contractor, mining company geophysicist, and geophysical consultant) and others – “SQUID in Saskatchewan: The Next Level of Deep Electromagnetic Exploration in the Athabasca Basin”;

Clare R. O’Dowd and Garnet Wood (Cameco Corporation, Saskatoon):  ”3-D Seismic Investigations at the Millennium Uranium Deposit, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan”;

Geotech Ltd. with new airborne EM developments: “ZTEM Airborne Tipper AFMAG Test Survey Over a Magmatic Copper-Nickel Target at Axis Lake in Northern Saskatchewan”;

Dr. Harold Seigel, founder of Scintrex: “Results from the Initial Field Trials of a Borehole Gravity Meter for Mining Applications”.

Good luck!

The recently expanded Triangular Zone continues to be the priority for the upcoming drill program of Kalahari Resources Inc. (Vancouver, Canada). Past drilling near this area intersected a granodioritic plug approximately 85 feet below surface and ended while still in the plug at approximately 700 feet below surface. Plugs are granodiorite bodies that intrude the exiting volcanic rocks creating conduits for gold mineralization and are associated with many mines in the Val‐d’Or area. Previous Kalahari drilling on the buried plug discovered adjacent to the Triangular zone intersected 6.9 oz/t gold over 2.9 feet at approximately 485 feet below surface. This buried plug has a geophysical signature approximately 2 times the size of the signature associated with the Main plug.
The company has completed a compilation of its MMI (geochemically sampled using Mobil Metal Ion analysis) and VTEM (airborne Versatile Time-Domain Electromagnetic Method, Geotech Ltd.) data and has identified 12 other targets across the Lamaque Property, a number of which will be drill‐tested in December’s program. Targets have been prioritized based on their similarity to the geophysical signatures of other plugs in the immediate area.

Geophysical instrument engineering  company from Quebec promises the latest geophysical innovations in 2010 - NEW IP receiver with up to 32 channels, Enhanced GDD Induced Polarization Transmitters used in Master-Slave Dual Mode configuration which enable to transmit up to 4800 Volts, Enhanced GDD MPP-EM2S+ Multi-Parameter Probe with Bluetooth for measurement of magnetic susceptibility and conductivity.

A contractor with Armstrong Oil and Gas, the Denver-based operator of the North Fork gas field, has applied for a state permit to do a seismic survey of a 20-square-mile area in Nikolaevsk and the North Fork. PGS Onshore Inc. plans to start its survey in late December, but first must get a geophysical exploration permit from the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas, Department of Natural Resources.

For more information on the seismic survey, visit DOG at ftp://ftp.dnr.state.ak.us/oilgas/beh/PGS_NorthFork_3D_Seismic_Survey/

From June to August 2009 Merrex undertook a high resolution airborne magnetic/radiometric spectrometer survey on its 800 square kilometre Siribaya Gold Project, including the region of the Siribaya mega-structure and Zones 1A and 1B (see the post for 2009/11/19) . The airborne survey conducted by Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics of South Africa totalled 10,122 line-kilometres with 50 metre flight line spacing. Gregory Isenor, P.Geo., President and CEO of Merrex Gold Inc.  announces that the 2009 high resolution airborne magnetic/radiometric spectrometer survey has identified Zone 1A to be part of a second distinct 9.4 kilometre parallel sub-structure twinning the 10.5 kilometre 1B sub-structure.

Prior exploration, including surface soil geochemistry, strong trench data including 35 metres of 3.1g/t at surface, termite geochemistry stronger than the termite geochemistry at Zone 1B, numerous notable RAB drill intercepts, and Zone 1A diamond drill intercepts as high as 2.92gr/t over 34m and 4.18g/t over 17 m, indicates the presence ofsignificant gold mineralization along the length of the 1A sub-structure.

Those who know GOLD – know worth of the success.

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) have formalized an agreement for intersociety cooperation to benefit their global membership through joint events, programs and services. “This is an exciting opportunity for both societies to build on an already strong relationship to enhance technical knowledge exchange globally that will benefit our members and serve the upstream oil and gas industry,” said Behrooz Fattahi, 2010 SPE president.

The 79th Annual Meeting and International Exposition of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) was one of the most successful in recent years. Attendance was nearly 9300, surpassing recent annual meeting delegate totals by nearly 1000 delegates. The increasingly international nature of SEG’s membership, now more than 32 000, was evidenced by delegates from 85 countries. The near sold-out exposition floor covered 375 000 square feet which was populated by booths from more than 360 exhibitors. In the words of Apache’s Klaas Koster, SEG president-elect, “The exhibition floor had booths from pretty much every significant player with an ambition to reach a global audience; major and national oil companies were recruiting, hardware and software were demonstrated, and services and education were offered. In short, a vibrant marketplace alive with buyers and sellers.”