Because of the focus, an adequate budget on each chosen belt allows the geology and ore forming processes in these outstanding belts to be understood to the maximum possible degree. Process, especially the leading edge processes like risk analysis, need to be constantly refined and reviewed for effectiveness. Quality of projects must also be continually reviewed. Lack of upward movement, or bouncing around like a ball at a particular level over an extended period, signals the right time to relinquish a project. This can come about by the simplest new mapping, magnetic data or multispectral image in a new area, or the application of a sophisticated new technique in a heavily explored area.
New eyes looking at old data can be equally as effective.
Conclusions Exploration is a tough business that has proven to be an uneconomic proposition for most practitioners in the last 20 years. This has led to the rapid shrinking of the exploration industry. To survive and thrive, I believe that we have to be on the lookout for new ideas from anywhere - inside or outside the industry. This includes the best people management strategies, the best risk analysis strategies, the best project management strategies, the best intelligence gathering strategies, the best communication strategies and finally the application of the best science available to our very challenging problem. Only then will we have the success that will ensure funding for our future successes.