In-Person and Livestream: Applications of machine learning in minerals exploration

Join the Perth Branch for their In-Person and Livestream July tech talk: Applications of machine learning in minerals exploration.

About this event

Challenges facing the mining industry include trends towards undercover and deeper exploration and increasing mining complexity as operations deepen and grades decline. On top of that, there is a focus on meeting ESG requirements and material growth forecasts as the world transitions to the green economy.

To support new discoveries, the use of new technologies that integrate with traditional approaches is increasingly underway – including applying AI/machine learning (ML) in prospectivity analysis. This synergy promises a more objective approach to exploration targeting and project generation, minimisation of human bias, and the rapid interrogation of large amounts of data.

However, prospectivity analysis too can be subject to biases (e.g. the data used and/or the relationship between data and the geological processes and/or features of interest). Inappropriate selection or poor quality of data can lead to inadequate outcomes. A nuanced combination of geoscience and data science can help minimise these biases and lead to better real-world results.

In this tech-talk, Dr Mark Rieuwers will present a case study where SRK and its partners tailored a combined approach to improve prospectivity modelling. By combining advanced data processing, knowledge compilation, geological interpretation, and ML, multiple approaches were run to support the discovery of large porphyry copper deposits in a well-explored region in the northern Chilean Andes. This study expanded the typical 2D prospectivity analysis by applying the analysis in both 2D and 3D. Following this pilot study, the application of this integrated data-driven and geological knowledge approach to prospectivity analysis was applied by the same partnership for a greenfield porphyry copper deposit study at a similar scale and for intrusion-related nickel sulfides at a much larger scale.

In-Person Program
5.00pm - 5.15pm: Guest arrival
5.15pm - 6.15pm: Presentation
6.15pm - 7.00pm: Post event networking
Livestream Program
5.15pm - 6.15pm: Livestream presentation

Speaker/s

Mark Rieuwers

Principal Geologist, SRK Australia

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Mark has over 15 years’ experience in the mining and exploration industry with a track record of discovery and project delivery – predominantly in nickel sulfides, iron-oxide-copper-gold, porphyry copper, iron ore, gold and lithium systems.
Mark’s PhD work in the USA concentrated on the application and integration of structural geology, field mapping, metamorphic petrology and geochronology to help unravel complex tectonics. During his years in the industry, he has focused on integrating mineral systems geoscience, structural geology, geochemistry and geophysics in driving effective exploration targeting and generative strategies; applying mapping, 3D geological and structural modelling to help understand and define complex mineralising systems.

Mark’s interests lie in combining field studies and desktop interpretations, prospectivity modelling and implicit 3D modelling along with applying such learnings to the mining environment, including on-site training in combining 3D modelling and applied structural geology. Mark has extensive experience in field program management including all aspects relating to large exploration and infill drilling programs.