Greenfields to grade: integrating ANT, MT, and ML in modern porphyry exploration

Mineral exploration increasingly depends on resolving geology in three dimensions across scales, from continental lithospheric architecture, to district-scale structural control, to deposit-scale grade prediction. No single geophysical method spans this range with sufficient resolution and depth sensitivity.

About this event

This webinar argues that two passive techniques, Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) for shear-wave velocity, and Magnetotellurics (MT) for electrical resistivity, provide a foundational 3D framework for mapping mineral systems when used together. The two methods respond to different physical properties (bulk rock elasticity versus interconnected conductive phases), are physically independent, and are scale-complementary. Their combination reduces the non-uniqueness inherent to any single-method inversion and provides depth-sensitive structural and lithological context for any other geological dataset.

Drawing on case studies at four scales — continental (Western US lithosphere and the Carlin trend), province (Curnamona, South Australia), district (Suwaj Arc, Saudi Arabia), and deposit (Valeriano Cu-Au porphyry, Chile) — the webinar shows how ANT and MT illuminate different but related geological features at each scale, and how their joint interpretation supports exploration decisions from greenfields targeting through to drill planning.

The Valeriano section closes the talk with a complete end-to-end workflow, from geophysics to drill-hole: joint ANT–MT interpretation, geochemical conditioning via mineralogical zonation, and ML grade predictions with quantified uncertainty. Blind validation against drilling, which includes an independent drill hole intersecting a model-flagged corridor at 172m of 0.80% CuEq within 834m of 0.66% CuEq, demonstrates what the integrated framework produces in practice.

Speaker/s

Dr Anthony Reid

Head of Geology
Fleet Space Technologies

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Anthony is a geologist with 20 years experience in regional geology and mineral deposit studies and a PhD from University of Melbourne of tectonic evolution of eastern Tibet. Having worked for many years for the Geological Survey of South Australia, he has experience with applying different geological and geophysical methods to understanding geological processes. Most recently Anthony has been working as a consultant geologist working directly with companies on exploration targeting and mineral potential. He has a special interest in making technical geoscience concepts accessible for both other geoscientists and non-specialist audiences. Anthony has published widely on geological problems and is also an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow with the University of Adelaide. He has a deep appreciation for the complexity of geological systems across scales. He is working with Fleet Space to deliver technical writing and geological information to assist with the specific project aims of clients, and the uptake of ANT technology by the industry more broadly.

Dr Tim Jones

Head of Geophysics
Fleet Space Technologies

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Tim has a passion for Earth Science and is currently applying Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) to mineral exploration to help accelerate the discovery of critical minerals needed to decarbonise our economy.

He earned his BsC at Macquarie University and PH.D. at Australian National University. His experience spans the University of California, the Carnegie Institution for Science. In 2017, he received an honor from the American Geophysical Union for “Study of Earth’s Deep Interior”.