b'Data trends Data trendsScientific training Table 1.Physical phenomena and A competent geophysicist should havegeophysical applications.completed a recognised undergraduate science degree majoring in geology,PhysicalApplicationsphysics or mathematics. Post-graduatephenomenastudies can provide geophysical trainingAcoustic Seismologyto graduate geologists and, conversely,Electricity IP, resistivity, downhole, SPgeological training to physics/ Electromagnetism EM, magnetotelluric, NMR, MMRmathematics/engineering graduates. Gravity Surface, airborne and downholeProfessional development Magnetism Airborne, ground and downholeNuclear Natural gamma, XRFThe ASEG promotes ongoing professional development for Members throughof specialists for each stage. Ground Tim Keepingtechnical presentations, short coursesand airborne gravity surveys have Associate Editor and conferences. little in common regarding acquisition for geophysical datamanagementState branches of the ASEG hostor processing but generate a similar and analysis technical presentations by academic andproduct for interpretation.technical-standards@aseg.org.au industry personnel, including visitorsWhile some geophysical concepts are from overseas. These presentations areeasy to understand by non-geophysically recorded and available for viewing by alltrained scientists, many are complex and This months column features aMembers via the ASEG website. The ASEGare generally poorly understood outside discussion paper that I wrote with KimEducation Committee also organisesof specialists in these fields. Failure to Frankcombe and David Pratt on behalf ofOzSTEP and OzLEAP courses, which caterfully grasp the significance of information ASEGs Technical Standards Committee.for Members at different stages of theircontained in geophysical data has led to The paper focuses on the use ofcareers. Members are also encouraged tothe failure of exploration programmes geophysics in ASX reports. attend AEGC conferences to ensure thatto deliver successful results, and to they are up to date with industry trends,unintentionally misleading stakeholders.ASX reporting of geophysics scientific developments and best practice in geophysics Modern exploration programmes are Geophysical data is increasingly beingoften complex, with specialist techniques cited in Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)Specialisation being applied. It would be rare that reports as the basis for generating drillGeophysical techniques measure physicalone single person could be considered targets and raising funds. The Australianphenomena, and the application of thesecompetent in all the techniques used, Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)techniques improves and expands withand so joint reporting is strongly recently reviewed the JORC code,developments in mathematics, physicsencouraged. Ideally each specialist and questions were raised about theand engineering. Physical phenomenashould sign off on their area of expertise competence of persons reporting to theand corresponding applications are listedwith a coordinator signing off on the ASX on geophysical data. The ASEG isin Table 1. whole document. Even within the field also concerned about this matter. of geophysics it would be rare to find Applying geophysical techniques involvessomeone who could be considered The ASEG is classified by the Australianthree stages; data acquisition, datacompetent in all facets of the discipline Taxation Office as a body whose primaryprocessing and data interpretation, andand indeed, some geophysicists may purpose is the promotion of sciencegeophysicists may specialise in one or morehave very narrow areas of competency.(geophysics in particular), and asof these stages. Physicists and engineers such the Society cannot have a role indesign and build acquisition tools.Reporting and publicationregulating the geophysics profession.Mathematicians/ physicists/ geophysicistsIt logically follows that discussion Consequently, the ASEG is seeking toformulate equations to process acquiredabout geophysical techniques, the partner with the AIG and AusIMM todata and construct geophysical models.application of those techniques ensure that competent persons areGeologists and geologically focusedand the interpretation of the data reporting on geophysics to the ASX. geophysicists interpret geology from thegenerated may be outside of the field of processed results. Geophysicists shouldcompetence of some non-geophysicists, Competent Persons be competent in their role, however inand in such cases a competent The ASEG believes that geophysicistsmany cases these roles may overlap, andgeophysicist should be involved in the wishing to be considered a Competentindividuals may be competent acrossdrafting of any ASX report and should Person for the purposes of ASX reportingmultiple roles be prepared to sign the report as a should be a Members of the AIG orCompetent Person.AusIMM as well as the ASEG. TheirExperience and understandingFeedback on formalising the recognition competence should be demonstrated byExperience and therefore competenceof geophysicists as Competent Persons for their scientific training, the number ofin any of the applications listed abovethe purposes of reporting on geophysics years they have worked as a geophysicist,can depend on scale (camp site up toto the ASX would be very welcome.and their pursuit of professionalglobal) and methods. Passive seismic development opportunities. Thiscan be small enough for one personTim Keeping, Kim Frankcombe and approach echoes the accepted practiceto execute all three stages, whereas anDavidPratt in other disciplines such as geology. active seismic survey uses a small armytechnical-standards@aseg.org.auFEBRUARY 2023 PREVIEW 46'