b'Committees ASEG NewsASEG Honours and Awards: ASEG Gold Medal awarded to Brian Spies in 2020orebodies and followed with newgeophysical, geological and engineering interpretative scale model studies. Thisdata, and large-scale computer BMR research under Brians leadershipmodelling of complex, realistic geological helped to further establish TEM as asequences. He led the team that practical exploration method for metallicdeveloped a new generation of deep-ore deposits in Australias conductiveimaging electromagnetic tools for the terrains. Brian was personally responsibleoil well environment, based on a three-for a number of developments in thecomponent digital cross-well system TEM technique in Australia, whichcapable of generating accurate 2-D was transferred to the mineralsimages of reservoirs between boreholes.exploration industry in a campaign ofDuring the period of Brians commercial field demonstrations, presentationsresearch in North America, he authored and publications. TEM is now aneleven patents covering some highly indispensable geophysical technique ininnovative applications of transient Brian Spies Australian mineral exploration. electromagnetics. Brian also took on In 1976 Brian received the first SEGuniversity Adjunct Professor teaching ASEG Gold Medal Award citation Foundation scholarship given in theand post-grad student supervision southern hemisphere. This scholarship,during his time in the US.The ASEG Gold Medal is awarded fromand an Australian Public Service Board time to time for exceptional and highlyaward, allowed him to commence hisIn 1996 Brian returned to Australia distinguished contributions to thePhD studies at Macquarie University,to take over the role of Director of science and practice of geophysics byunder the supervision of the latethe Co-operative Research Centre an ASEG Member, resulting in wideProfessor Keeva Vozoff. Brian completedfor Australian Mineral Exploration recognition within the geoscientifichis doctoral studies in 1980 and wasTechnologies (CRC AMET), appointed community. The ASEG President hasawarded a PhD for an outstandingas part of the Corporate Executive of announced that a special award of thethesis The application of the transientCSIRO Exploration and Mining. CRC ASEG Gold Medal is being made in 2020electromagnetic method in AustralianAMET was a collaborative joint venture in recognition of Dr Brian Spies. Sadly thisconditions: field examples and modelof government, academic and industry award is made posthumously as Brianstudies, which still has relevance topartners, developing a new generation passed away in Sydney on February 8todays exploration geophysicists. of geophysical exploration technologies 2020, after a courageous two-year battlefor Australian conditions of deep and with cancer. Brians international geoscience andvaried weathered cover. The research leadership roles began in the USAprogrammes involved all aspects of This award specifically recognisesin 1980, when he joined Explorationairborne and ground electromagnetic Brians exceptional and distinguishedData Consultants in Denver as Seniorexploration, instrumentation, processing, contributions to the profession,Geophysicist. In 1981, he moved tomodelling and geological interpretation.both in Australia and internationally,California to join Electromagnetic Surveys as a most eminent and visionaryInc. as Vice President and Director. Brian successfully integrated the research research exploration geophysicist, anIn 1984 he joined the ARCO Oil andprogrammes and participants to accomplished national and internationalGas Research Center in Texas as Seniorachieve the CRC objectives, particularly science leader, inspiring geosciencePrincipal Research Geophysicist, wherecommercialisation and knowledge innovator, inventor and researchhe developed a new non-destructivetransfer. Brians leadership of the research collaborator, science mentor andtesting technology for oil pipelines. Thepartnerships delivered a new generation advocate, and a great science educator. method was commercialised by a largeof broadband high-resolution airborne Brian gained a BSc from the Universitymultinational engineering organisationelectromagnetic exploration techniques of New South Wales in 1971, double- and is now used worldwide.optimised for Australian conditions.majoring in geology and physics, and In 1989 Brian was awarded ARCOsFollowing the successful delivery of the went on to earn a Post-Graduate Diplomahighest technical award, the Outstandingoutcomes from the CRC AMET, Brian in Applied Geophysics from UNSW inTechnical Achievement Award inwas appointed in 2000 as Director of 1972, supported by a Graduate CadetshipResearch, for development of thethe Physics Division of the Australian from the Australian Bureau of MineralTransient Electromagnetic ProbingNuclear Science Technology Organisation Resources (BMR), where he undertook(TEMP) corrosion detection technique. (ANSTO).applied research throughout the 1970sIn 1990 Brian joined Schlumberger- In 2003, Brian took on the role of Chief with a broad range of geophysicalDoll Research where he led theResearch Scientist, CSIRO Exploration techniques in the Australian outback. Deep Electromagnetics researchand Mining, with major contributions In particular, during these early yearsprogram, involving theoretical andto Australias strategy and policy for the with BMR, Brian enthusiastically led theexperimental investigations of newMineral Exploration Action Agenda. field trials of the relatively unknownborehole electromagnetic andBrian was co-leader for targeted R&D transient electromagnetic (TEM) methodelectrical techniques. Fundamental tofunding for mineral exploration and lead over the Elura and the Woodlawnthese studies was the integration ofwriter for the education and training 5 PREVIEW OCTOBER 2020'