Industry

ASEG Honours and Awards Ceremony

It is also with great delight and excitement that myself, and Honours and Awards Chair Andrew Mutton, invite you to the ASEG Honours and Awards Ceremony that is open to everyone (not just conference attendees). This will be held during the lunch break on the first day of the conference talks (Wednesday 15th September) at 12 pm AEST. I cannot wait to share with you all the extremely deserving recipients of these awards and hope that you will join me online through Zoom to celebrate these outstanding achievements- click here to register.

UPDATE: This event is now fully virtual, with no in-person event. Register here.

When: Tuesday 16 November 2021

Time: 18.00 – 19.00

Where: Virtual (zoom)

Details: The event is free for members. Please register through Zoom.

Registration (zoom): Here

ASEG Queensland Branch August Technical Talk

Peter Fullagar - Fullagar Geophysics Pty Ltd.

Beyond plates - fast TEM inversion using conductive ellipsoids Part2: Inversion

Synopsis

Interpreting TEM data in terms of conductive rectangular plates is effective in many situations. However, not all conductors are planar. Triaxial ellipsoid conductors are an attractive alternative: geometrically simple (corner-free), mathematically tractable at early and late time limits, and able to encompass shapes ranging from plates to elongate lenses to equi-dimensional pods. Accordingly a fast magnetostatics-based algorithm has been developed to compute ellipsoidal conductor responses in both resistive and inductive limits. Inversion of measured data then entails adjustment of ellipsoid parameters. The methodology is suitable for downhole, ground, or airborne TEM, either impulse or step response.
In this second of two presentations, the inversion algorithm is described and illustrated on both synthetic and real TEM data. 

Bio:

Peter Fullagar has over 30 years experience in base metal, precious metal, and petroleum exploration, and in metalliferous and coal mining geophysics. He worked for 12 years with WMC Exploration Division in Australia, including 3 years as Chief Geophysicist. He was the inaugural Chair of Borehole Geophysics at Ecole Polytechnique, Montreal, in 1993-94, and served as team leader in 1995-96 for the CMTE/AMIRA P436 research project on Application of Geophysics to Mine Planning & Operations. Since 1998 Peter has consulted privately and has written modelling and inversion programs for EM, potential fields, and borehole logging data. He led the AMIRA P1022 research project on Rapid 3D Inversion of TEM Data from 2010-2013. Peter is an Adjunct Professor at the WH Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre, University of Queensland.

The WA Branch of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists invites current active members to attend our upcoming ASEG WA Branch Tech night event at our new venue in CBD at Yagan Square, but still with the usual snacks and drinks provided. Note that there is plenty of public transportation, and, if need be, paid parking is available at nearby Wilson Parking - 427 Murray St - Google Maps. The venue has wheelchair accessibility. The details of the speech title and the author's bio are provided below.
 

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-wa-branch-event-september-2021-tech-night-tickets-167719783387

Speech title: Downhole Assays via Elemental Spectroscopy
Speaker: Jennifer Market, Geophysics Manager, Epiroc's Kinetic Logging Services

Talk summary: 
Pulsed neutron wireline tools were introduced to the Australian iron ore industry in 2011 to deliver "downhole assays" and since then, the technology has developed into a reliable and efficient means of supplementing and even replacing traditional assay analysis. 
Not only are there safety benefits through reduced site exposure, but the technology allows for better vertical resolution and near-real-time results. The potential cost savings can be significant, with some companies stating that downhole assays are currently saving them ten million dollars a year compared to conventional methods.
Not only can the technology be used to grade iron ore at the site, but it can also measure percentages of minor elements such as silicon, aluminium, copper, nickel, titanium, manganese, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, sulphur, and sodium, as well as hydrogen, oxygen, chlorine, and carbon. They can also measure proxies for LOI (loss on ignition).  The sampling resolution is generally 10-20 cm - considerably higher than the typical 2 metre sampling used in conventional assay in the Pilbara, allowing for less assumptions about minor element distribution.  The depth of investigation approximately 30-50 cm which also gives a more representative sample. 
This presentation will begin with a description of pulsed fast and thermal neutron activation technology as implemented in the downhole assay environment, paying attention to the calibration methods. Then, a case study will be presented in detail, discussing the data acquisition and calibration programme. The results of the downhole assay compared to traditional assay will be discussed, considering the pros and cons of each method.
 

Speaker Bio: 

Jennifer Market is the Geophysics Manager for Epiroc's Kinetic Logging Services, with 20+ years' experience in research and development of mineral logging (mining) and oilfield technologies and applications with particular expertise in downhole assays, acoustics and geomechanics.

REGISTRATION and RSVP are REQUIRED on or before 30th August to give our hosts at Shoe Bar enough time to properly set up their venue. ASEG WA Branch would like to give thanks to sponsors for their continuous support.

Please email wasecretary@aseg.org.au with any queries or for additional information. Kindly rsvp in the below link to get a spot as seats are limited. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Title: Preconditioned Compressive Sensing for Wavefield Reconstruction, Applications to tomography, Helmholtz-Hodge decomposition and Distributed Acoustic Sensing

Presenter: Jack Muir

Date/Time: Sep 2, 2021 1300 (AEST)

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Sr40IBw9SmiEnyMh5dOY4w

Abstract: The proliferation of large seismic arrays have opened many new avenues of geophysical research; however most techniques still fundamentally treat regional and global scale seismic networks as a collection of individual time series rather than as a single unified data product. Wavefield reconstruction allows us to turn a collection of individual records into a single structured form that treats the seismic wavefield as a coherent 3D or 4D entity. We propose a split processing scheme based on a wavelet transform in time and Laplacian preconditioned curvelet based compressive sensing in space to create a sparse representation of the continuous seismic wavefield with smooth second order derivatives. Using this representation, we will illustrate three applications that require accurate access to the full wavefield including spatial gradients - 

Bio: Jack Muir

Jack is a 6th year graduate student in geophysics at the California Institute of Technology Seismological Laboratory (Caltech Seismolab) –- he will take up a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship at the Oxford University Department of Earth Sciences in late 2021 / early 2022, and is currently a visiting researcher at the Australian National University. He is passionate about inverse problems — some of the projects he is working on now are: imaging the Earth from near surface to the core; improving data captured at seismic arrays; and answering difficult questions about historical data sets.

Branch: TAS

Title: Passive Seismic - Applications of Ambient Noise Interferometry for Mineral Exploration

Presenter: Dr Richard Lynch, Sisprobe

Date and Time: Thursday 26 August 2021 at 1800 AEST

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xAWsYxNkRkatLwbLInDRgQ

Abstract:

As mineral exploration seeks deeper targets under cover, the need for low cost and low impact subsurface imaging is increasingly important. A recent addition to the toolbox of geophysical methods is ambient noise surface wave tomography (ANSWT) which produces an S-wave velocity image of the subsurface using naturally occurring seismic signals ("noise") from waves, earthquakes, traffic, etc. - no active controlled seismic sources required. In this presentation, I will provide an introduction to the ANSWT method and show how it is applied for early-stage mineral exploration using some recent projects in Canada, South Africa and Australia.

Bio:

Richard Lynch has 20 years experience in the global mining industry focused on all aspects of mine microseismic monitoring. From 2011-2017, he served as CEO of IMS, a leading mine seismology company. Richard is currently the COO and directeur général of Sisprobe, a French company that is the world leader in ambient noise passive seismic imaging and monitoring for industrial applications, including hard rock mineral exploration and real-time TSF monitoring. Richard has a PhD in theoretical physics from Wits University in South Africa. He currently lives in Hobart.

IMAGE '21 is the integrated annual conference and exhibition of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and in conjunction with the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM).

Click on the image below to view the event. 

The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) and in conjunction with the Society for Sedimentary Geology (SEPM) are excited to host, IMAGE 2021 - the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy. The three societies agreed earlier this year to hold this integrated annual meeting over the next five years, the first of which will be a hybrid event held from 26 September to 1 October 2021, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado and online.

As global leaders in disseminating high-quality applied-geoscience knowledge and data, SEG, AAPG, and SEPM have joined forces to create this powerhouse event bringing together multiple disciplines of the geosciences sector. IMAGE ’21 combines all the great elements from each society’s previous annual meetings under one roof to offer a better experience and increased value for the industry.

IMAGE ’21 will welcome speakers, exhibitors, and attendees to participate in-person or online, or both. The comprehensive technical program will feature more than 1,000 presentations, nearly 200 sessions, 14 post-convention workshops, 10 special sessions, five field trips, countless networking opportunities, and a joint exhibition showcasing the latest geoscience products and technologies. One registration will give delegates access to the core technical sessions, the exhibition, and several other events.

Don’t miss the ultimate learning and networking event for applied geoscience and energy.

Title: Application of Multi-Scale Magnetotelluric Data to Mineral Exploration: An Example from the East Tennant Region, Northern Australia

Presenter: Wenping Jiang, Geoscience Australia

When: 12th August,2021 at 11am AEST

Registation: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gKKtAD8MRwaRCNUp-DNwNA

Abstract: 

The footprint of a mineral system is potentially detectable at a range of scales and lithospheric depths. Magnetotellurics is one of few techniques that can provide multi-scale datasets to image and understand mineral systems. We have used long-period data from the Australian Lithospheric Architecture Magnetotelluric Project (AusLAMP) as a first-order reconnaissance survey to resolve large-scale lithospheric architecture for mapping areas of mineral potential in northern Australia. The 3D resistivity model reveals a broad conductivity anomaly in the lower crust and upper mantle to the east of Tennant Creek, representing a potential fertile source region. Results from a higher-resolution infill magnetotelluric survey reveal a favourable crustal architecture linking the lower, fertile source regions with potential depositional sites in the upper crust. This observation strongly suggests that the deep-penetrating major faults potentially acted as pathways for transporting metalliferous fluids to the upper crust where they could form mineral deposits. This result and its integration with other geophysical and geochronological datasets suggest high prospectivity for major mineral deposits in the vicinity of these major faults. In addition to these insights, interpretation of high-frequency magnetotelluric data helps to characterise cover and assist with selecting targets for stratigraphic drilling which, in turn, can validate the models and improve our understanding of basement geology, cover sequences and mineral potential.

This study demonstrates that integration of geophysical data from multi-scale surveys is an effective approach to scale reduction during mineral exploration in covered terranes.

Biography: Dr Wenping Jiang joined Geoscience Australia in 2012 after completing a PhD degree from the University of Sydney. Since Feb 2016, she has worked as a senior geophysicist in the Mineral Systems Branch, delivering precompetitive data and information to improve the understanding of mineral resource prospectivity. Her professional focus is mainly on Magnetotelluric data processing, modelling and interpretation.  

Industry Mentoring Program 2021 - Workshop No. 3

Date & Venue: Tuesday 20th July 2021

Registration from 5 pm 5:30 pm - 7.00 pm workshop, 7.00 -8.30 pm Networking

RubixBar, 334 Murray Street, Perth (Opposite Belgian Beer Café)

Registration link

Industry Mentoring Program 2021 - Workshop No. 3

About this event

Networking Made Easy

Not everyone finds networking easy, but it’s a big part of being successful in your career or business. So it’s important to be good at it.

If you’ve been wondering…

Why is it so hard to carry on a CONVERSATION?

How do I EXPAND my network?

How do I network if I’M AN INTROVERT?

I’m WORKING REMOTELY, how do I keep networking?

Would I get that JOB OR PROMOTION if I was better at networking?

How do I RECONNECT with people in my network who I have fallen out of touch with?

How do I turn networking into ACTUAL BUSINESS?

What is the SECRET to networking? …

… then you won’t want to miss this important presentation.

Guest Speaker: Ron Gibson

Ron Gibson is a recognised leader in the field of networking. His 150-plus presentations each year distil nearly three decades of practical networking know-how he has gained from building his own successful business, exclusively from relationships he builds and a strong word-of-mouth reputation. In this workshop, Ron will share specific how-to advice for making networking easy, effective and rewarding

Program:

5.00 pm - 5.30 pm Registration

5.30 pm - 7.00 pm Workshop

7.00 pm - 8.30 pm Networking & nibbles

Sponsorship

For the first time, the Joint Industry Mentoring initiative is offering various sponsorship packages for the 2021 program. More information is available here.

The Joint Industry Mentoring Program is an initiative by the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Engineers Australia, Petroleum Club of WA, Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA), Society of Petroleum Engineers WA (SPE), Society for Underwater Technology, Subsea Energy Australia (SEA) and Women in Subsea Engineering (WISE).

This development has been a voluntary collaboration between individuals and organisations involved in Subsea Engineering in Australia. This year SUT is looking after the organisation of the program and this is the first of a 5-event series.

Contact: SUT (08) 9481 0999 or perthevents@sut.org

Title: Constraining regional-scale groundwater transport predictions using multiple geophysical techniques

Presenter: Dr Michael Hatch

Location: Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Date: Tuesday 27^th July 2021

Time: 5:45 pm for a 6:15 pm start

Cost: Members and students free, non-members $10, includes finger food and drinks

I would like to invite you to our next technical event on Tuesday 27^th July at 5:45 pm for a 6:15 pm start at the Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse.

We have Dr Michael Hatch from the University of Adelaide speaking on 'Constraining regional-scale groundwater transport predictions using multiple geophysical techniques'.

Due to often spatially discontinuous and sparse datasets from traditional geohydrological techniques, it is becoming more common to incorporate geophysical data in groundwater models.  Not only are the geophysical data sets more continuous, but they can often be collected non-invasively. A disadvantage is that there may be no consistent/obvious link between the geophysical data and the geohydrological properties that the groundwater model is simulating. It is therefore necessary to derive coupling relationships between the geophysical data and the underlying hydrogeology. This is usually performed in a deterministic manner in which the uncertainty inherent in the geophysical data (as well as in the coupling) is rarely incorporated. In this study we collect a number of geophysical data sets, including audio-frequency magnetotellurics (AMT), time‑domain electromagnetics (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These geophysical techniques provide constraints on hydraulic conductivity, water table depth, hydrostratigraphy and porosity. By combining this information with scattered and sparse hydrological measurements, the geophysical data can be coupled with other data in a stochastic groundwater modelling framework. When using geophysical data to provide parameters in groundwater model inversion, it is critical to quantify and account for their uncertainty to avoid incorrectly biasing model outcomes. This study achieves this goal by using an ensemble-smoother modelling method incorporating PESTPP-IES. This approach is illustrated using geophysical and hydrological data from Kapunda, South Australia, to evaluate the potential impact of a simulated In-Situ Recovery (ISR) lixiviant injection test

ASEG WA - July Tech Night event
Date & Venue:
Thursday 22nd July 2021
5:30 pm start - 7.30pm end
The Shoe Bar
Shop GSO7 Yagan Square
376 - 420 Wellington St
Perth CBD

The WA Branch of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists invites you to attend our upcoming ASEG WA Branch Tech night event at our new venue in CBD at Yagan Square, but still with the usual snacks and drinks provided. Note that there is plenty of public transportation, and, if need-be, paid parking is available at nearby Wilson Parking - 427 Murray St - Google Maps. The venue has wheelchair accessibility. The details of the speech title and the author's bio are provided below.

Speech title: Kamchatka (Russia) Nickel Project Geophysics
Speaker: Paul Mutton, Consulting Geophysicist, Touchstone Geophysics

Talk summary: For those that enjoy challenging projects, stunning scenery, or a place teeming with exploration potential, Kamchatka is the jackpot. Paul has been working and visiting there regularly since 2017 for a nickel exploration project and will present some of the issues and results for some of the surveys. Principle techniques have been Time Domain EM (Drill hole, Ground, Airborne), drone magnetic surveys, and petrophysics. Vodka not included.

Speaker Bio: Paul Mutton is a born and educated West Australian Geophysicist. After a career start as a WMC graduate in the nickel mines of Kambalda, he joined Southern Geoscience Consultants about 20 years ago, firstly as an employee and finally as shareholding Consultant. He left in 2014 to continue consulting independently through his consultancy, Touchstone Geophysics. He thoroughly enjoys travelling and particularly enjoys distant or challenging projects, particularly those with an opportunity for pushing the envelope.

REGISTRATION and RSVP are REQUIRED (click this link) on or before 20th July to give our hosts at Shoe Bar enough time to properly set up their venue. ASEG WA Branch would like to give thanks to sponsors for their continuous support.

Please email wasecretary@aseg.org.au with any queries or for additional information. Kindly rsvp in the below link to get a spot as seats are limited. We are looking forward to seeing you there.