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Event Address
City West Receptions, 45 Plaistowe Mews WEST PERTH
Event Start
17:30
Event End
19:00
Event Details
Exploration geoscience inside the mine gate
Standard practices in exploration geoscience can add value in resource definition and inside mining operations. Mineralogical and geometallurgical proxies are available through multi-element geochemical assays. Petrophysical suites can sometimes provide timely substitutes for assays. Drill feedback parameters are directly influenced by the rock and hence contain information on rock mechanical properties. Finally, it must be recognised that even very dense drilling vastly undersamples an orebody, and geophysics is the only avenue for filling in the space between drill holes. Furthermore, the bulk sampling of geophysics can provide rock characterisation that is often already at a scale suitable for mine operations.
Chris Wijns has been the Group Geophysicist since 2008 for First Quantum Minerals Ltd, a global copper miner. Previously, he held a similar role with gold company Resolute Mining. Chris studied geophysics degrees in Canada, and worked in gold exploration in West Africa before moving to Australia in 1999, where he completed a PhD in 2004. He has enjoyed working inside sizeable companies for the opportunity to have constant interaction with geologists, geochemists, and assorted engineers and metallurgists. Chris enjoys the challenge of bringing research results into the mining and exploration industry, as well as finding opportunities for geophysics to add value to mine development and operations.