b'Minerals geophysics Minerals geophysicsand different ideas, could be the moreis a significant time zone difference innovative? Having selected the area,between the crews and the supervisors. the ability of a particular geophysicalSurvey results are more likely to be technique (or techniques) to detect andreviewed over-night as far as the crew are discriminate the targeted mineralisationconcerned, and there can be resulting within the environment being exploreddelays in responses. The end result may is paramount. Both local and remotebe the same as for on-site interaction, management would be capable ofbut the time factor can be quite different. deciding which technique to use and howHowever, head office typically does have best to apply it, but local knowledge andbetter access to a larger data-base and to experience would surely be vital to thea greater breadth of technical knowledge.potential success of any programme.Terry HarveyA case in point is the influx of overseasEvaluationAssociate Editor oil companies into mineral exploration inStages of geophysical evaluation could for Minerals geophysics Australia in the 1970s and 1980s, and theircomprise processing, presentation, and terry.v.harvey@glencore.com.au initial broad-brush application of Northinterpretation of the survey results. Data American style geophysical methodsprocessing is typically carried out by Remote control (most notably airborne electromagnetics)experienced personnel more usually to typically Australian deeply weathered,employed by the geophysical contractor. On several occasions Ive had causesurficially electrically conductiveData presentation may be undertaken by to ponder the relative merits of localenvironments. While such programmeseither the geophysical contractor or the versus remote management of mineraldid provide systematic data sets, theclient, or often a mix of the two, with the exploration projects in Australia. Thatpotential for success of such techniquesclient fine-tuning the survey results in the is, running the exploration programmewas severely compromised by thelight of local knowledge. Interpretation, from a local on-site base versus runningunfavourable geo-electrical environment.where other knowledge is incorporated exploration from headquarters located,On the positive side, the typically negativeinto the mix, is more likely the domain of say, in an Australian capital city, or evenexperiences from such an approachthe client.overseas. Compared with the past,did hasten the development of more improved modern communications haveappropriate lower frequency / longer timeAgain, there is a mix of potential dramatically narrowed the differencedelay electromagnetic techniques for useadvantages and disadvantages between the two alternatives; in manyin Australian conditions. with respect to local versus remote ways the remote of old is now nowheremanagement. Local team members may near as remote, and headquarters needImplementation have more intimate knowledge of the no longer be so detached from theHaving decided on the type and style ofconduct of the survey and the effects on actual exploration. But there do remaingeophysical methods, it is then necessaryits results, whereas remote management differences. to select the appropriately qualifiedmay have access to a more sophisticated geophysical contractors. The history ofdata processing capability. However, we An exploration programme can beoperations of the contractor and crewsshouldnt discount the value of a project considered to comprise a seriesin the local environment would arguablychampion, particularly where persistence of stages; for example: design,be the best indicator here, and thisis required. This, in my experience, is implementation, and evaluation. Localknowledge could be available throughmore likely to come from someone within versus remote management may impactprior experience to either local or remotethe team on-site, rather than someone in each stage differently. Here I am goingmanagement teams. a remote management team. There are to focus particularly on geophysicalinstances (not always well documented!) aspects of mineral explorationHowever, once the surveys are underway,where the perseverance and actions of programmes. And, perhaps showing alocal supervision will be the more hands- someone on site, sometimes contrary to personal bias, I am applying the termson. On-site interaction between clientremote managements instructions, have local and remote with reference toand geophysical crews will result in aresulted in exploration success.managements location with respect toshorter response time to address survey the scene of the action itself. access difficulties, instrument problems,The wrap-upand other events at the time that theyWhat would be the ideal exploration Design are encountered, thus increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of surveyprogramme management arrangement? An exploration programme is typicallyconduct and procedures. Clearly, thereProbably having the entire management designed to find a particular style ofare benefits from on-site, face-to-faceteam on-site, thus getting the best of mineralisation within the geologicalcommunication, particularly for the moreboth worlds, but in most cases this isnt environment considered most prospectiveunusual situations. There is less chance offeasible. Realistically, then, a combination for this target style. Selection of theconfusion about what is happening, andof both on-site and remote approaches geological environment, particularly in aof miscommunication about what actionswould be the way to go, supported by mature exploration area, may require anshould be taken. the best possible inter-communications innovative approach. Perhaps a remotebetween the on-site and remote elements. management team, unburdened by pastRemote crew supervision is necessarilyAnd a mutual appreciation of each teams experiences and more exposed to newless immediate, particularly if therestrengths, limitations and knowledge bases.33 PREVIEW AUGUST 2022'