NSW tech night: Geophysical vectors for iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) exploration: Cloncurry METAL project.

Title: Geophysical vectors for iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) exploration: Cloncurry METAL project.

Presenter: Dr James Austin (CSIRO)

Date & Time: Wednesday 16th February 2022 at 1800

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bLEg37-vT_Gnf2Zm8Dw_Lg

Abstract:

The classic Status Quo of IOCG exploration is “the combined gravity-magnetic high”. Whilst historically successful for IOCG exploration, it is not useful for many Cloncurry “IOCGs”, which may be magnetite-, to hematite- or pyrrhotite-dominated or have negligible dense or magnetic minerals. Many Cloncurry IOCG’s don’t have significant gravity anomalies, some do not have significant magnetic anomalies, and some neither. IOCGs do however have predictable geophysical zonation related to alteration zonation. They tend to form on redox and/or pH gradients and they are structurally controlled. This talk will outline three novel geophysics-based approaches to IOCG exploration. It will explore how metasomatic processes can be translated into geophysical parameters, propose methods to map redox gradients/structures using integrated geophysics and petrophysics and illustrate how anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) data integrated with quantitative mineralogy can objectively map structural controls and predict ore body geometries.

Bio:

Jim studied structural geology and applied geophysics at Macquarie University, in the halcyon days, late last millennia. He gained employment as a cartographer and illustrator on the Australian Geographic Magazine in 1999 and commenced a PhD on the Cloncurry Lineament in 2003. Post PhD Jim worked in mineral exploration, geophysics consulting, and hydrocarbon exploration across Australia. Since joining CSIRO in 2011 Jim’s main passion has been integrating petrophysics with mineralogy, structural geology, and geophysics to better understand the inner workings of mineral deposits. Jim was part of the organising committee for the inaugural AEGC conference in 2018, sat on the ASEG Fedex in 2019, and was president of the NSW branch of the ASEG up until a few moments ago.