Namibia is a country of diverse geology and mineral deposits that is also embracing the green energy transition.  The diversity of critical minerals and metals and the expansion of green energy sources for mining are all exciting for the future of Namibia.  Namibia is 'elephant country' in more than one way!  The Society of Economic Geologists is thrilled to collaborate with our partners  the Geoscience Council of Namibia and the Geological Society of Namibia  to host the SEG 2024 conference...

Understanding the earth processes that control lithium is key to exploration and developing the resources needed for society and the energy transition.   The lightest of the metals, lithium moves easily in fluids and is found in a variety of geologic environments from brines to pegmatites to clays.   Host Anne Thompson explores the geoscience of lithium, assessing what we know and what are the challenges in the quest to supply the lithium needed by human society. Our three guests provide...

As our geo-toolkit expands, how can we equip ourselves to deal with these large volumes of highly diverse, dense data that are available and at higher speeds than ever before? This week’s episode is a companion to episode 47 (Core Sensing Technology) and host Britt Bluemel (Global Business Development Manager, ALS GoldSpot Discoveries) is joined by experts in the field of big data wrangling.   They discuss considerations when dealing with data from core sensing systems, with the aim of...

Drill core scanning technology is rapidly developing for use in exploration and mining. The future holds great promise if we can leverage all the data sets available from multiple sensors, but critical for success is understanding how the sensors and scanning systems work.  What are the right questions to ask when picking our tools?   Host Britt Bluemel, Global Business Development Manager for ALS Goldspot Discoveries, discusses three different types of sensors: hyperspectral for mineralogy,...

Reducing the environmental impact of mineral exploration can reap benefits beyond the immediate obvious reduction of harm on the local flora and fauna.  Perhaps unexpected for some are the savings in carbon and water, the positive impact on data collection, the response from local communities and the cost savings. Add to that an ability to recruit outstanding employees and you have a compelling argument for rethinking mineral exploration.   To find out what ideas a random sample of folks...

How can we balance the demands of careers in exploration with family life? How has the industry at large dealt with this in the past versus how companies handle it today? Filling the expected gaps in the exploration and mining workforce requires us to look internally at how we support employees to start families, care for parents or manage other personal circumstances.  Communication with our managers, colleagues, spouses, and families are all equally important.  Managing it collaboratively...

The Kiruna Mining District, 200km north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, is well known for the giant Kiruna Iron-Oxide-Apatite (IOA) deposit.   The district has a long history of iron production extending back to the late 1800s. Less well known are the copper deposits that are spatially associated with Kiruna. New work by both researchers and explorationists is providing a better understanding of the complicated relationships in these Proterozoic rocks. A shift in mindset is allowing for new...

Exploration and mining have a long history in northern Sweden, host to the Skellefteä, Bergslagen, and Kiruna Mining Districts.  What are the underlying characteristics that make this region rich in mineralization?  We explore the metallogeny, mineral systems and deposit models that guide exploration for base metals and gold.  What has changed over the last century and what do we know now that will help guide the next discoveries?    First, we talked to Nils Jansson, Associate Professor at...

Türkiye forms an integral part of the Tethyan Belt, extending from the Balkans in the west to Iran in the east. The complexity of the geology in Turkish Tethyan Bet also offers diverse mineralization styles and is still considered underexplored compared to other countries. We talked to our guests with diverse backgrounds to understand the exploration potential and recent successes across the regions. Our first guest is İlkay Kuşçu, Exploration Projects Consultant with SSR Mining, who has over...

Artisanal mining is full of both opportunities and challenges.  How can we collaborate to  build capacity for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), particularly in Africa?  We talk about the many aspects of ASM and the importance of geology in creating longer term, sustainable mining operations.  Each of our guests has personal experience and knowledge to bring to the conversations. We talked first to Nicole Smith, assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines and an expert on...

Three completely different types of ore deposits demand 'fit for purpose' mining methods.  We consider the move in the last 20 years to ‘super’ block caving, unlocking massive deep resources, then change scale and examine an innovative new technology that enables ‘surgical mining’.  Lastly, changing the mining method for Cobre's project in the Kalahari Copper Belt, Botswana,  to in-situ leach may unlock new potential for the region. We start with a look at block caving to consider the...

Effective geoscience outreach and scientific collaboration are enhanced by our choice of words and communication tools. Our guests Sam Illingworth and Chris Jackson offer fresh perspectives based on their own experience and work.  They focus on what we as individuals can do, from using poetry to solve scientific roadblocks, to ways in which we can better connect with audiences of all types – even those within our own work environments.  Both challenge us to be more professional in our...

In the evolving world of communication in geology and geoscience,  the importance of dialogue leads the way to deal with some of society’s grand challenges. Iain Stewart is at the forefront, helping build effective communication strategies to advance the global geoscience mission. We also explore an example of empathetic, community centred dialogue with Kate Moore.  A two-way conversation is critical to building the mines of the future, supplying the energy transition and supporting a broad...

In many geoscience communities, the topic of declining enrollments globally across the discipline is very worrying.  How can we demonstrate to the public the critical role earth science plays in supporting well-being of both human society and ecological systems?  This episode highlights inspiring stories from three continents in the southern hemisphere – all early career scientists who are engaging with the public, running education programs for students, conducting interviews and more.  What...

Diamonds have long captured the imagination and interest of people across the globe. Each stone has a unique story to tell, and those stories are only becoming deeper and more fascinating with the latest advancements in geoscience, social science and consumer activism.   This week’s episode looks at two different facets of diamonds.  Evan Smith is a Senior Research Scientist at the Gemological Institute of America. He introduces us to superdeep diamonds, a small subset of diamonds produced...

Arguably the most important tool in exploration and mining is the drill, without it we lack the ability to collect data in that critical third dimension.  We start with  the basics of drilling technologies and communication between geologists and drillers, then delve into the power unleashed by oriented core and real-time data collection of critical drilling metrics.  From the current state of the art to the changes on the horizon for drilling, this episode covers all the angles.  Kevin...

Linking whole rock geochemistry with mineralogy provides tremendous value to exploration and mining projects.  We all want high quality, reliable results to make the best maps and models.  What are the critical factors in acquiring spectral or geochemical data?  How can we be sure our spectroscopy and geochemistry are the best they can be?  How do we integrate our mineralogy data sets?  Join us to learn the questions you should be asking!  Sebastian Benavides is Discovery Manager for Peru and...

Active geothermal systems are sources of clean energy and provide insights into ore forming processes. What are two economic geologists learning as they each pursue deep holes, big science, and audacious ideas to help provide the world’s energy needs from clean, renewable sources?   Stuart Simmons started his career in New Zealand, making key observations with big implications for low-sulfidation gold precipitation.  His recognition that platy calcite textures represent boiling zones provided...

As gold makes it way to surface, what are the key observations for exploration geologists to make? How did we come to understand epithermal deposits and their relationships to intrusions and the paleosurface?  And how important are our structural observations?   Gold can occur within Cu-Au porphyries and intrusion-related lodes, but also makes its way to the surface where a range of epithermal deposit-types host mineralization.   Following on from Episode 31 and the discussion of porphyry...

Can we track the evolution of a fertile porphyry system from the mantle to the deposit?  The FAMOS (From Arc Magmas to Ores) Project in the UK was conceived to tackle the fundamental processes involved in porphyry ore systems and brought a diverse set of researchers and industry collaborators together.  The interdisciplinary teams combined experimental petrology, volcanology, numerical modelling and mineral analysis.  They worked together to  constrain the conditions for porphyry ore deposit...

Carbonatites are controversial rocks that are associated with a diverse range of commodities, such as niobium, phosphate, copper, and light rare earth elements (LREE). This week we dive into some of the latest thinking about carbonatite genesis and ore forming processes, and consider the challenges involved in characterizing and producing these complex ore bodies.   First off, Emma Humphreys-Williams from the Natural History Museum, UK, explains how, when and where carbonatites form in the...

Across Canada prospectors are at the forefront of discovery.  Shawn Ryan leads using innovative and comprehensive exploration programs resulting in multiple discoveries of gold.  Jessica and Katarina Bjorkman grew up with prospecting and continue to follow their passion and explore all the career has to offer, balancing consulting and work on their own claims.   Shawn Ryan (Ryanwood Exploration) arguably the most famous prospector in Canada, tells the story of his career from mushroom picking...

Prospecting is fundamental to the discovery of new ore deposits.  Geologists who prospect and prospectors who do geology are the subject of this and next week’s episode.   In the Yukon Territory, Canada, prospectors are finding new mineralization with the support of a unique grant program. The Yukon Mineral Exploration Grant (YMEP) is at the root of several discoveries in the last 20 years, supporting individuals to get out in the field and take on risk. We learn about how the Yukon...

Microbes have a powerful influence on Earth processes, leave clues useful for mineral exploration and provide a more environmentally sustainable way of processing ores.  Bridging the divide between geoscience and bioscience may well be critical to the future of mining and exploration.  We understand much of the potential and the impact of microbial communities, but the incredible diversity of microbes is still being explored.   New technologies and processes are yet to be discovered - will...