Changes in Mineral Exploration Practice
Authors: Sillitoe Richard H. , Thompson John F. H. 
Published: February 2024

This paper reviews and analyzes the role played by changes in mineral exploration practice on the discovery record worldwide, over a timeframe of roughly the last 50 years. Geologic field methods have remained relatively unchanged, although general geologic theory as well as some empirical and genetic ore deposit models and related concepts have undergone major revisions that have had significant but unquantifiable effects on the exploration process. The principal geochemical and geophysical methods employed in the 1950s and 1960s remain preeminent, notwithstanding the burgeoning sophistication of analytical techniques and geophysical instrumentation, and the exponential increases in data-processing capacity. Remote sensing and data management and modeling technology have also both advanced apace over the last two decades. The evolution of these earth-science disciplines affected the practicalities of mineral exploration in various ways, as demonstrated using porphyry Cu, volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS), sediment-hosted (Carlin-type) Au, epithermal Au, orogenic (mesothermal) lode Au, and magmatic Ni-Cu deposits as examples, although constancy in search procedures prevailed over radical change.

Advances in the geologic, geochemical, geophysical, and remote-sensing fields do not seem to have greatly influenced the discovery record, at least where the most reliable compilations are available, for the circum-Pacific region over the last 35 years. Discovery has resulted mainly from routine fieldwork complemented by conventional geochemistry, and to a far lesser degree, from ground geophysics. Nevertheless, geophysics has made a greater contribution to discovery of the increasing number of deposits concealed beneath pre- and postmineralization cover. In Precambrian shield areas, such as Canada, Australia, and Scandinavia, with a dominance of different ore deposit types and distinct physiographic conditions, airborne geophysics has clearly played a more influential role in discovery, particularly of VMS, magmatic Ni-Cu, unconformity related U, and diamond deposits as well as greatly contributing to regional geologic understanding.

Perpetuation of broadly the same exploration approach, using tried-and-tested field-based methods, is strongly advocated, especially in the case of green-field programs. Continued innovative exploration of the world’s premier metallogenic belts and provinces must be combined with search for new, highly endowed frontier regions. While geologic and geochemical modeling remains vital for brown-field exploration, a greater future role for geophysics and grid and fence drilling is envisioned. Technologic advances in all these fields will undoubtedly facilitate an increasing number of exploration tasks, particularly data gathering, handling, and analysis, but are thought unlikely to dramatically change the discovery process and could even have a negative influence if not used to enhance productive field time. Future exploration success, especially under deep cover, demands more predictive ore deposit models and geochemical and geophysical methods that are better able to penetrate the overburden. The overall quality and inventiveness of exploration programs must improve, however, if the perceived decline in discovery rate and rise in discovery cost are to be remedied. Carefully targeted research on all fronts is necessary and should be welcomed.