b'NewsPeoplePosthumous award: R.M.S. (Bob) Whitealways communicated in straight-forwardBob gave various talks to geological and clear language. symposia on the application of Bob completed his degree in explorationelectrical geophysical methods and geophysics at Macquarie University thenpublished technical papers on his worked for many years as a companypractical experience and results. He was geophysicist (Cominco and Getty).consistently interested in improving the In 1987, Bob started his consultingquality of geophysical data acquisition company Tooronga Resources,and guided others in this important which supplied expert advice andarea of focus. He contributed to society-support to many junior and mid-tierorganised workshops that invited industry companies listed on the ASX, andleaders to explain the role of geophysics he was acknowledged as an expertfor mineral explorationgeologists.communicator in his \x1eeld, as indicatedBob was an early adoptee of 3D in the six eloquent testimonials ininversion packages for resistivity and support of this nomination suppliedinduced polarisation and realised this by the following senior geologists:meant thatgeophysicists are no longer The Lindsay Ingall Memorial AwardRussell Meares OAM, John Horsburgh,constrained by survey arrays designed recognises an Australian resident forKim Stanton Cook, Tully Richards, Maxto produce data to be plotted manually the promotion of geophysics withinRangott and Damon Bird.andinterpreted by eye. He pointed out the non-geophysical community,Bob had a strong appreciation of a rangethat 3D inversion processing means that including geologists, geochemists,of geological settings that allowed forthere is no longer a need to place receiver engineers, managers, politicians, thethe reliable interpretation of importantand transmitter electrodes in a co-linear media or the general public. This awardstructural controls on mineralisation, atarray. Accordingly, electrode arrays can commemorates the life of ASEG founder,the project and at the prospect scale.now be designed to optimise target past President and Honorary Member,This facilitated the useful assessmentde\x1enition and data collection e\x1bciency. the late Lindsay Ingall for his capacity toof potential new mineralisation andHe proposed that the double o\x1fset cross geoscience boundaries, his abilityextensions to known mineralisation.pole-dipole array o\x1fered a way to collect to relate technically and e\x1fectively withHis geological understanding covered alarge amounts of data e\x1bciently and has other professionals, regardless of theirwide range of commodities including allsuperior inversion sensitivity anddepth of own understanding of the principlesmetalliferous minerals exploration andinvestigation to standardarrays.of geophysics, and for his enduringeven coal and gas. Bob White was an enthusiastic and active commitment to assist geoscientistsMember of the ASEG, having \x1erst joined across Australia. It is awarded to anBob understood how changes to the individual who has actively promotedphysical properties of rocks were causedthe Society in 1970, and was the ASEG geophysics to the wider community. by chemical reactions associated withFedEx Treasurer in 2001 and 2002, and an mineralising systems. This assisted himASEG FedEx General Committee Member The award in 2024 is made to R. M.S.to identify patterns of alteration andin 1999 and 2000. Bobs commercial (Bob) White, a Sydney-based ASEGstructures in geophysical datasets.approach led him to focus on the details Member who is well known to mineralHe was aware that many anomalousof the ASEGs \x1enancial management and industry geophysicists and the broaderresults are not detecting the economiche brought a stronger sense of discipline geological and corporate community ascommodity directly, but the associatedand governance to the administration of a passionate advocate and promoter ofmore abundant gangue minerals such asthe Society.geophysics and the resources industry.pyrite or magnetite. He appreciated thatBob Whites innovative research His nomination for this award has beendrilling is the most reliable method forconducted over the period 1974 to 2023 strongly supported and endorsed bydiscovering new mineral deposits, andwas accepted by the ASEGs History six senior company geologists. It is withhe focused on geophysics contributingCommittee as a signi\x1ecant milestone great regret that we acknowledge thatusefully to the optimum design ofunder the title Geophysical Con\x1ermation Bob passed away at his home in Terreydrillingprogrammes. of Non-Linear Electrical E\x1fects in Hills on 24 August 2023. Bobs capacity to communicateMineralised Rocks. The initial work Bob White was a talented geophysiciste\x1fectivelyto geologists, engineers,tested base metal sulphide cores from whose modest demeanour served tomanagers and accountants has resultedWoodlawn and from Captains Flat, as well hide a brilliant analytical mind and ain an increase in the appreciation andas an un-mineralised sandstone, with stimulating conversationalist on theimplementation of the discipline ofnon-linear properties con\x1ermed for those philosophy of mineral exploration.geophysics throughout Australia. Hissulphidic materials. Fifty years later, the In particular, he promoted an honestreasoned and realistic portrayal of theresults of these studies are a current area realistic understanding of the capabilityrole and e\x1fectiveness of geophysics inof active research (in conjunction with of common geophysical technologies tomany environments and applicationsSteve Collins, Keith Leslie and Andrew assist drill target de\x1enition for resourcedid great credit to his professionSloot) to develop a new strategy for projects. His detailed knowledge of aand to the Australian Society ofsulphide mineral exploration called the wide range of geophysical methods wasExplorationGeophysicists. Heterodyne Method. APRIL 2024PREVIEW 11'