Industry challenges

Discovering New Opportunities

Easy wins are becoming hard to find in mineral exploration. The exploration effort is shifting towards buried mineralization (at depth beneath known mature areas) or true greenfields opportunities under transported cover. As a result, traditional geochemical approaches are increasingly ineffective. New approaches, both in terms of new or modified techniques AND in terms of smarter ways to interpret data are required.

ioGeochemistry uses industry best practice in data interpretation techniques. Our approach will find the subtle and complex anomalies that coarser (first pass) filters miss. We operate as a conduit between research and the industry, transforming innovative ideas into applicable techniques.

Realising the Value of Existing Resources

Processing challenges means metal in the ground doesn’t always correspond to money in the bank. Metallurgical samples seek to identify the critical controls on mineral processing; however, due to their expense they are limited in number and thus spatial extent. By using the rest of the analytical and logging database for a resource in conjunction with metallurgical sample data, it is possible to identify mineralogical controls related to key metallurgical processing parameters. This information can then be used to determine how to maximise the value of your resource.

Ensuring the Quality of Analytical Data

The quality of analytical data is a critical issue in the mining and environmental industries, as this data forms the basis for decision making across many diverse areas such as the following:

• Is an anomaly worthy of further work?
• Is an ore resource economically viable?
• Is a JV partner delivering the grade and quality of ore the contract specifies for toll treatment?
• Is a processing facility significantly impacting on the quality of surrounding groundwater?

Problems with the development of fit-for-purpose sampling programs, CRM manufacture and use, and the quality and appropriateness of assay laboratories can all lead to sub-par data quality. This in turn can lead to wrong or untimely decisions. 

ioGlobal has the expertise and resources to identify these issues and provide advice on their resolution. ioGlobal provides QAQC auditing services from on-site sampling through to the laboratory. We also provide efficient, accurate, cost effective review of QA data using QA Reporter. 

Building Geochemical Skills into your Organisation

Geochemical expertise has become a scarce resource: few organisations have a geochemist on staff and the traditional approach of mentoring young staff to develop the geochemists of the future is no longer feasible. ioGlobal steps into this gap through the delivery of training courses, both public and internal, the establishment of innovative retainers that represent an evolution of the traditional mentoring relationship to meet the needs of today, and the provision of a stipend to support the education of the geochemists of the future.