Mineral Exploration

Mineral exploration is the process of searching for and locating the existence of one or more economic ore deposits by geophysical, geochemical or superficial methods. The search for mineral deposits is nothing more than a step-by-step organized process, with every stage moving towards the capturing and evaluation of the mineral being sought. Mineral exploration methods vary at different stages depending on the area being explored, the type of deposit, the type of information required and socio economic factors. Area selection is the first process in mineral exploration as it is the terrain or geological region that will make very easy to find ore deposits. In order to know where particular ore deposits exists in the area, the theories of ore genesis and their occurrences are applied. The use of geophysical, geochemical and subsurface geology in the target generation phase of mineral exploration is inevitable. The target generation stage involves the remote sensing and geochemical methods. Aerial photographs are used to provide information about the terrain such as vegetation, regolith, tracks and trails and habitation. The purpose of geochemistry in mineral exploration is to determine the anomalous zones in the mineral deposit and elements associated with the mineral being explored.