A área de estudo está localizada na parte sudeste do estado do Paraná, município de Carambeí, PR. Nessa região, há uma ocorrência de ouro conhecida desde a metade do século 18, que foi explotada por garimpeiros. Esse estudo tem por objetivo a modelagem geológica e avaliação de recursos minerais por técnicas geoestatísticas. A mineralização de ouro é encontrada nas rochas hidrotermalizadas do Grupo Castro. A pesquisa mineral foi desenvolvdia pela Terra Pura, uma empresa brasileira. Todos os dados da área foram liberados para este estudo. Nesse estudo, foram considerados os dados de sondagens por circulação reversa e diamantada. A primeira questão que surge do uso de dados de diferentes métodos de sondagem se refere ao suporte amostral e consequentemente sua validação. Geralmente, a validação de tais dados é feita usando a aproximação tradicional de furos gêmeos, onde uma é a circulação reversa e outra a diamantada. Isso é muito difícil porque há variação geológica mesmo para pequenas distancias. Além disso, quando esses dados são comparados em um diagrama de dispersão, o coeficiente de correlação é geralmente baixo. Assim, nesse trabalho foi usada uma nova aproximação estatística para comparar as distribuições de frequências das amostras coletadas nas sondagens por circulação reversa e a diamante. O resultado foi muito bom mostrando uma aderência de mais que 90%, que implica em uma possível mudança dos métodos de exploração, pois o custo da circulação reversa é muito menor que da sondagem diamantada. Essa conclusão permitiu a utilização de ambos os conjuntos de dados para desenvolver as etapas posteriores desta pesquisa objetivando a modelagem geológica e avaliação de recursos minerais usando métodos geoestatísticos. Nesta área, as rochas hidrotermalizadas ocorrem conforme um trend local com direção N45E e mergulhando 30 para SE. Essa informação estrutural foi usada tanto para a modelagem geológica e geoestatística dos recursos minerais resultando em modelos compatíveis e úteis para o entendimento da distribuição de ouro. / The study area is located in southeastern of Paraná state, municipality of Carambeí. In this region there is an occurrence of gold known since middle of 18th century, which was exploted by prospectors. This study concerns geological modeling and ore resource estimation by geostatistical techniques. The gold mineralization is found within hydrothermalized rocks of the Castro Group. The mineral exploration was developed by Terra Pura, a Brazilian company. All data regarding this area was released for this research. For this study we considered data from reverse circulation and diamond drill holes. The first question that arises from using data coming from different drilling methods is the sampling support and consequently its validation. Usually, validation of such data is made using the traditional approach of comparing twin drill holes, in which one is reverse circulation and the other is diamond drill. This is very difficult because we have geological variation even for short distances. Moreover, when both data are compared in a scattergram, the correlation coefficient is usually low. Thus, in this work we used a new statistical approach to compare frequency distributions of samples collected from reverse circulation and diamond drill holes. The result was very good showing a match of more than 90% that implies in a possible change of exploration methods, because reverse circulation is much cheaper than diamond drill holes. This result allowed us to use both data sets to develop further steps of this research aiming the geological modeling and ore resource estimation using geostatistical methods. In this area hydrothermal rocks occur according to a local trend striking N45E and dipping 30 SE. The structural information was used for both geological and geostatistical modeling of mineral resources resulting and compatible and useful models for understanding the distribution of gold.

Os empreendimentos de mineração comumente demandam grande quantidade de investimentos financeiros e, na maioria das vezes, longos períodos de implantação, o que os torna altamente sujeitos a diversas fontes de incertezas. Tais incertezas comumente tendem a diminuir conforme a evolução do projeto. O objetivo deste estudo é correlacionar as incertezas associadas ao modelo de teores de cobre do depósito Sequeirinho com o volume de investimentos realizados ao longo de distintas fases da pesquisa geológica. Este depósito insere-se no contexto do Complexo de Mineração Sossego, localizado no município de Canaã dos Carajás (PA). Primeiramente, foram realizadas 100 simulações para cada domínio litológico em cada campanha de sondagem (pré-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 e 2003) a partir do método de simulação sequencial gaussiana condicionada aos dados amostrais, totalizando 1.400 possíveis cenários. Para a avaliação das incertezas foram calculados três índices: variância condicional, coeficiente de variação condicional e intervalo interquartil. Por fim, a avaliação dos investimentos foi elaborada a partir dos custos estimados para o desenvolvimento de sondagens e análises químicas. Desde a campanha pré-1998, houve uma tendência de os teores médios do depósito aproximarem-se dos prováveis valores reais observados nas fases finais da pesquisa. No ano de 2000 ocorreu o maior investimento (cerca de 28 milhões de Reais) e a redução das incertezas atingiu o patamar de 15%. Os investimentos desenvolvidos em sondagens posteriores à campanha de 2000 foram da ordem de 9 milhões de Reais (cerca de 12 mil metros de sondagem), porém, não foram constatadas reduções significativas das incertezas. Este investimento seria melhor aproveitado caso fosse redirecionado a novas áreas de prospecção. Além do montante financeiro necessário para a redução das incertezas, foco deste estudo, as variações na interpretação geológica e a locação dos furos de sondagem são variáveis importantes na análise de incertezas associadas aos investimentos em pesquisa geológica. / Mining projects require large amount of capital investment and most cases spend long periods of implementation, which make them extremely susceptible to several sources of uncertainty. Such uncertainties commonly tend to decrease along the project development. The present study aims to correlate the uncertainties associated to the grade model of the Sequeirinho copper mine with the amount of capital investment that has been spent along different geological surveys. Sequeirinho site is included in the context of Sossego Mine Complex, located in Canaã dos Carajás (PA, Brazil). Initially, 100 simulations were carried out for each lithologic domain in each drilling campaign (pre-1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003) using sequential Gaussian simulation conditioned to the sample, resulting in 1,400 possible scenarios. Three indexes were calculated for the uncertainty analysis: conditional variance, conditional coefficient variance and interquartile range. Finally, the evaluation of capital investment was elaborated from the costs estimated for drilling and chemical analysis. Since pre-1998 drilling campaign, deposit average grades have showed a trend to get closer to the possible real values observed in the final research surveys. In 2000, there was the biggest capital investment (about R$ 28 millions) and the uncertainty reduction has reached the maximum level of 15%. Investments performed in drilling programs after 2000 were around R$ 9 million (around 12,000 meters of drill holes), but the uncertainty reduction was not significant. Therefore, such investments might be used to discover new targets. Besides the correlation of uncertainty reduction and amount of capital investment, the main focus of this study, the uncertainty of geological model and the drillhole locations are important variables to be considered in investment analysis of geological survey.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Geosciences. Johannesburg, 2016. / The measurements of physical rock properties, seismic velocities in particular, associated with ore deposits and their host rocks are crucial in interpreting seismic data collected at the surface for mineral exploration purposes. The understanding of the seismic velocities and densities of rock units can help to improve the understanding of seismic reflections and thus lead to accurate interpretations of the subsurface geology and structures. This study aims to determine the basic acoustic properties and to better understand the nature of the seismic reflectivity of the world’s deepest gold-bearing reef, the Carbon Leader Reef (CLR). This was done by measuring the physical properties (ultrasonic velocities and bulk densities) as well as conducting mineralogical analyses on drill-core samples. Ultrasonic measurements of P- and S-wave velocities were determined at ambient and elevated stresses, up to 65 MPa. The results show that the quartzite samples overlying and underlying the CLR exhibit similar velocities (~ 5028 m/s-5480 m/s and ~ 4777 m/s-5211 m/s, respectively) and bulk densities (~ 2.68 g/cm3 and 2.66 g/cm3). This is due to similar mineralogy and chemical compositions observed within the units. However, the CLR has slightly higher velocity (~ 5070 m/s-5468 m/s) and bulk density (~ 2.78 g/cm3) than the surrounding quartzite units probably due to higher pyrite content in the reef, which increases the velocity. The hangingwall Green Bar shale exhibits higher velocity (5124 m/s-5914 m/s) and density values (~ 2.89 g/cm3-3.15 g/cm3) compared to all the quartzite units (including the CLR), as a result of its finer grain size and higher iron and magnesium content. In the data set it is found that seismic velocities are influence by silica, iron and pyrite content as well as the grain size of the samples, i.e., seismic velocities increase with (1) decreasing silica content, (2) increasing iron and pyrite content and (3) decreasing grain size. Reflection coefficients calculated using the seismic velocities and densities at the boundaries between the CLR and its hangingwall and footwall units range between ~0.02 and 0.05, which is below the suggested minimum of 0.06 required to produce a strong reflection between two lithological units. This suggests that reflection seismic methods might not be able to directly image the CLR as a prominent reflector, as observed from the seismic data. The influence of micro-cracks is observed in the unconfined uniaxial compressive stress tests where two regimes can be identified: (1) From 0 - 25 MPa the P-wave velocities increase with progressive loading, but at different rates in shale and quartzite rocks owing to the presence of micro-cracks and (2) above stresses of ~20 - 25 MPa, the velocity stress relationship becomes constant, possibly indicating total closure of micro-cracks. The second part of the study integrates 3D reflection seismic data, seismic attributes and information from borehole logs and underground mapping to better image and model important fault systems that might have a direct effect on mining in the West Wits Line goldfields. 3D seismic data have delineated first-, second- and third-order scale faults that crosscut key gold-bearing horizons by tens to hundreds of metres. Applying the modified seismic attribute has improved the imaging of the CLR by sharpening the seismic traces. Conventional interpretation of the seismic data shows that faults with throws greater than 25 m can be clearly seen. Faults with throws less than 25 m were identified through volumetric (edge enhancement and ant-tracking seismic attributes) and horizon-based (dip, dip-azimuth and edge detection seismic attributes) seismic attribute analysis. These attributes provided more accurate mapping of the depths, dip and strikes of the key seismic horizon (Roodepoort shale), yielding a better understanding of the relationship between fault activity, methane migration and relative chronology of tectonic events in the goldfield. The strato-structural model derived for the West Wits Line gold mines can be used to guide future mine planning and designs to (1) reduce the risks posed by mining activities and (2) improve the resource evaluation of the goldbearing reefs in the West Wits Line goldfields. / LG2017

Thesis (LLM. (Development and Management Law)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / In terms of the previous mining legislation in South Africa, mineral rights were held privately and in some instances by the state. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) now vests all mineral rights in the state. Through the transitional provisions included in the MPRDA, mining companies can convert their existing ‘old order’ rights to prospect and/or mine (previously granted under the now repealed Minerals Act) to the ‘new order’ rights introduced by the MPRDA. The purpose of the MPRDA is to ensure the sustainable utilisation of South Africa’s mineral and petroleum resources within a national environmental framework policy which primarily protects sensitive environments and the interests of affected communities, organisations and individuals, while promoting socio-economic development.

In the Zimbabwean past, farming societies utilized mineral resources for their own use and for exchange to local and regional populations, as well as to markets beyond African borders. Successful agriculture was constrained by environmental hazards, principally unpredictable and often inadequate rainfall. Farming communities managed this predicament in various ways. It is likely that some groups used mineral resources found in the vicinity of their settlements to produce materials or items to exchange. The social contexts that defined the nature of mineral production and exchange altered between the mid-first and mid-second millennium AD, as social ranks emerged and political and economic systems became increasingly complex. The thesis is a commentary on how the motivation of society to broaden its resource base, to improve the benefits to households and to society in general, contributed to the emergence of leaders and, ultimately, of an elite class. The focus of the research is on iron and copper production because the author has examined gold production thoroughly in a previous study. Four published papers outline the history of iron and copper production in Zimbabwe. The papers provide case studies of the scale and social context of iron and copper production and exchange.

Thesis (MSc., Geology) -- Queen's University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Engineer of Mines)--University of Alaska. Thesis summarizes survey of geology, geography, access, gold analysis and type classification, and economic potential of development on the Seward Peninsula Mining Region, Bendeleben Quadrangle. / Alaska "Territorial Department of Mines reports" or "TDM reports" are a collection of reports, notes and maps written by Dept. employees working out of several field offices throughout the territory. Series titles and numbers within the collection were retrospectively assigned with the exception of the few written after statehood (1959). Preliminary leaf is a letter from the author dated "April 29, 1941." Plate I "Outline map of Seward Peninsula showing location of Taylor Region," 1:150,000, sheet unfolds to 22 x 30 cm.; plate II, "Topographic map of Taylor vicinity," 1:12,000, sheet unfolds to 39 x 41 cm.; plate III "Detail sketch Placer deposits in vicinity of Taylor, Seward Peninsula, Alaska," 1:4800, sheet unfolds to 34 x 68 cm.; plate IV Topography - Geology drainage of a part of the Upper Kougarok River," 1 inch = 1.6 miles, sheet unfolds to 68 x 59 cm.; plate V "Cross section sketch - Structure along lines A-B, C-D, E-F," scale varies, sheet unfolds to 38 x60 cm.; plate VI "Contour sketch map surface and bedrock," 1:9600, sheet unfolds to 39 x 41 cm.; and plate VII "Sections along lines shown on Plate II - Kougarok River Bench Placers," scale varies, sheet unfolds to 59 x 45 cm. Includes bibliographical references (leaf [29]). Also available in electronic format via Internet.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Originally presented as the author's M.A thesis, Waikato University, 2008.

Examensarbete.