2009 training program for geologists
Resource estimation skills
OUTCOMES
Improved
resource
estimation
skills
using
geostatistics and geology for improved outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Most large companies employ geologists who often have no formal
training in geostatistics or resource estimation. Skills are often
acquired on the job, leading to gaps in understanding and potential
errors. Personalised training and mentoring can address individual
skill gaps in a time efficient manner. Skills learnt at the workplace are
more readily applied than skills learnt from a traditional short course.
GJN Enterprises Pty Ltd (ABN 63 076 664 572) trading as Geos Mining
SOLUTION
Geos Mining offers a workshop to improve resource estimation skills.
The format involves up to 16 participants and two Geos Mining
trainer/mentors at a time.
Workshops are tailor-made following consultation with company
managers as to staff training needs and current skill levels. They are
carried out at the companys site, and are designed to use company
data and software.
Topics covered could include:
CREDENTIALS
Preparation of exploration data for resource modelling
Validation of data, QA /QC issues
Sampling errors and their effect on modelling
Introduction to geostatistical principles
Practical variography how and why
Domaining, hard and soft boundaries
Seam models, handling splits and faulting
Choice of estimation method
Block sizes and search parameters
Integration of geostatistics and geology
JORC compliant reporting principles and practice
Conversion of resources to reserves
The course will be led by Principal, Sue Border assisted by a Senior
Consultant experienced in resource estimation.
Sue has had
extensive experience in the training area, having been a University
lecturer and PhD supervisor. The resumes of several of our
consultants are attached.
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METHOD
We suggest that three priority topics are chosen to be the focus of a 2
day workshop, and these will depend on the skill levels of participants
and the needs of management. Topics will be agreed with senior
management when planning the workshop. A longer workshop can be
designed if required, and alternative course structures can be
investigated to suit specific situations.
The course structure will allow for maximum personal interaction with
participants using their own resource estimation data. A questionnaire
will assess individual skill levels at the commencement of the
workshop and a final group session will be modified to address the
most common errors encountered in the questionnaires and one-onone sessions.
The normal work of participants will suffer minimal interruption, as they
will be away from their desks for around 7 hours over two days and
between sessions will work on their current resource estimations.
Interspersing the learning with routine work is more effective for the
learning styles of most students rather than the intensive block module
short course used by most consultant training courses.
This course will only be effective if the time mentors spend with
attendees is not interrupted by other day-to-day work issues. Each
attendee must have access to a workstation loaded with geological
data and resource modelling software that they are familiar with.
Ideally each attendee will have been allocated specific tasks to
perform on that resource model during the workshop period. A fully
equipped meeting room should be available for the group sessions.
The emphasis of the workshop will be on the upgrading of general
estimation skills, not on specific software skills. Participants will be
expected to be familiar with the suite of software used in resource
estimation.
After the course participants will be presented with a certificate of
attendance.
A confidential feedback form will be given to senior managers
assessing the performance of each participant in the questionnaire
and the one-on-one sessions, highlighting any areas where growth is
needed. An evaluation of the course will be sought from participants
at the conclusion of the workshop.
DELIVERABLES
A tailored short mentoring course with high quality responses and
learning indicated in the evaluation feedback.
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POSSIBLE FORMAT for 16 attendees
DAY1
8.30am to 10.15am
Introduction
each attendee will fill in a questionnaire at the start of the
workshop
Topic 1 presentation
10.15am to 12.30pm
Individual staff members work on their estimates, aided by a
Geos Mining mentor
Each mentor will see 3 participants during this time (40 minutes
each)
1.00pm to 2:00pm
Topic 2 presentation
2.00pm to 5:30pm
Individual staff members work on their estimates, aided by a
Geos Mining mentor
Each mentor will see 5 participants during this time
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DAY 2
8.30am to 10.00am
Topic 3 presentation
10.00am to 1.00pm
Individual staff members work on their estimates, aided by a
Geos Mining mentor as required.
1.00pm to 2:30pm
Mentors discuss questionnaire results and adapt the final
session to address any specific needs identified during group
discussion or arising from the questionnaire.
Managers input at this point would be welcome.
2:30pm to 5:30 pm
COSTS
Feedback and discussion session with all attendees. Mentors
commence with a PowerPoint presentation covering issues
arising from the one-on-one sessions and questionnaires, then
break into a question and answer session.
If time allows, this session may include the group working
through a practical problem.
Participants will fill in a feedback form on the workshop course.
This 2 day course involving 2 of Geos Minings senior consultants is
priced at $13,500 plus gst. For most Australian locations, the price is
inclusive of consultants travel expenses. Additional travel costs may
be incurred for travel to regional WA, remote sites or overseas
locations.
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SUSAN NICOLA BORDER
Principal, Geos Mining
KEY SKILLS
specialist knowledge of a wide range of industrial minerals
assessments, valuations & independent reports on mineral projects
exploration management including area selection and tenement acquisition
geostatistics and research skills
QUALIFICATIONS
1973 - 76
1982 - 84 (part time)
Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, University of
London. B.Sc. (Hons.) 2:1 in Mining Geology, ARSM
New South Wales Institute of Technology.
Graduate Diploma in Industrial Mineral Science.
Fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists
Fellow of Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Member of Mining Industry Consultants Association
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
January 1998 to date
Geos Mining Principal.
Geological consultancy specialising in industrial minerals.
Sue has built up a busy practice carrying out a variety of
assignments including assessments and valuations of
industrial mineral projects, design and management of
exploration programs, commodity, market and opportunity
reviews.
1994 - 1997
Minerals Corporation Limited Exploration Manager.
Discovered and developed Staurolite Ridge, a large garnet
deposit now being mined. This included area selection,
access negotiations, design of drilling programmes, resource
estimation and initial mine design. Built up exploration
portfolio for public float on a very limited budget and prepared
exploration section of prospectus (the company float was
oversubscribed and raised $15 million).
Previous experience Four years as a mine geologist on the Zambian Copperbelt
were followed by nine years varied consulting in metals and
industrial minerals with Robertson Research Australia.
Assignments throughout southeastern Australia included
numerous independent assessments, mine geology and
exploration geology. Sue also lectured and carried out
research at university (UNSW and UTS) for four years,
designing and delivering courses for undergraduates and
postgraduates. Research topics included geostatistics, the
optimisation of cut-off grades, and the use of statistical
process control in mining.
THOMAS IAN BRADBURY
Senior Geologist, Geos Mining
KEY SKILLS
Planning, supervision and co-ordination of exploration programs
Surface geological mapping, logging and sampling of drill core,
geotechnical core logging and sampling, interpretation of geophysics
Preparation of detailed geological reports and GIS (MapInfo) borehole plans
Development of computer geological models for coal resource delineation
ASX reporting of JORC compliant coal resources
QUALIFICATIONS
1983 - 87
University of Sydney.
B.Sc. (Hons.) 2:1 in Geology
2000
Graduate Certificate in Management Communication
Member of Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Member of Geological Society of Australia
1994
Management Certificate
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
2007-2008
2007
2005 - 2006
1994 - 2005
1992 - 1994
1988 - 1992
1990
Geos Mining, Senior Geologist
Exploration planning: Skardon River Bauxite Project (Qld), Oaklands Coal
Project (NSW). Planning, field supervision and reporting: Wintinna Coal
Project (SA), Syngas Project (brown coal in Northern St Vincent Gulf Basin,
SA). JORC compliant resource estimation: Syngas Project.
Queensland Coal Resources (a subsidiary of CVRD), Senior Geologist
Supervise two rigs - Nebo South and Nebo West Coal Projects (Qld).
Broadlea Coal, Contract geologist
Broadlea Open Cut Mine and Ellensfield Underground Coal Project (Qld).
Coordinate and plan exploration program, supervise three rig geologists.
NSW Coal Compensation Board, Resource Modelling Division, Geologist
Successfully completed 35 computerised Mincom geology models (15
located in Hunter Valley) from total organisational output of 117.
Technical & Field Surveys Pty Limited, Geologist
Contributed towards acquisition, maintenance, data collation and client
distribution of Australian Mineral Occurrences and EL databases
White Mining Limited, Project Geologist
Plan, organise and supervise entire coal feasibility exploration at North
Goonyella Coal Prospect (Qld)
Sedgman & Associates (now Sedgman Pty Ltd), Secondment,
Exploration Geologist, Bundarra Anthracite Project near Nebo (Qld).
GREG CURNOW
Senior Geologist, Geos Mining
KEY SKILLS
JORC competent in gold
broad based field geologist experience in gold companies in Australia and
overseas
significant expertise in GIS, databases, statistics & CAD type programs
QUALIFICATIONS
1981-84
1999
BSc majoring in Geology & Geography, Monash University
Diploma in Micro-Computing, Interim Technology Training
Institute
Member of Australian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
Aug 2006 present
Sept2005-Aug2006
1999 2005
1997 1998
1996
1994 -1995
1992 -1994
1990
1987 -1989
Geos Mining, Senior geologist
Working in the gold & base metals group, Greg Curnow has
undertaken a wide variety of exploration work in every state
of Australia since joining Geos Mining. Greg has worked on
JORC compliant statements for clients as well as 3D
modelling and other high value geology. His supervisory and
training skills are excellent
contract positions with Sydney Catchment Authority &
Burwood City Council, Spatial Analyst (contract)
GPS, statistical analysis, mapping, remote sensing, Mapinfo,
Arcview & autocad software
Harvey Water
Manager, Technical Officer
Managing GIS activities for a co-operative that supplies irrigation
water to farmers in the Harvey region of WA
Zeravshan Gold Co (Taror mine), Tadjikistan
Senior Geologist (acting Chief Geologist, 4 months)
Supervision of local (up to 54) employees, and ex-pat (up to 8)
workers & management of all mine and exploration geology
activities. Resource calculations on the open pit, underground and
exploration resources using Kriging and ID2.
Eagle Mining Corporation NL (Nimary Gold Mine)
Senior Mine Geologist
Lynas Gold NL
Senior Mine Geologist
Hill 50 Gold Mine, Mt Magnet
Geologist
Dominion Mining Ltd (NT)
Exploration Geologist
Austwhim Resources NL, Laverton and Leonora
Mine and Exploration Geologist
MURRAY HUTTON
Technical Manager, Gold & Base Metals, Geos Mining
KEY SKILLS
Management of major exploration programs, including preparation and
presentation of work programs and budgets
Preparation of ASX announcements, technical and financial reports
Strong commitment to customer service and fostering a team approach to
problem solving
Strong database, graphics & GIS application skills
QUALIFICATIONS
1973 76
Macquarie University, NSW, Australia, B.Sc. (Hons.)
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
End 2007 to date
Geos Mining, Technical Manager, Gold and Base Metals
Technical leadership of the gold and base metals group
2004 - 2007
Senior Consulting Geologist specialising in the management of
mineral exploration programs in Philippines, Fiji and Papua New
Guinea, including:
Supervision of exploration programs at Nalesbitan, Philippines,
ElDore Mining Ltd
Review of exploration projects in Fiji, Robust Mines Ltd
Supervision of exploration programs in PNG, Maya Gold Ltd.
1993 - 2000
Geological Exploration Mining Services, Principal
Project Manager, Minorco Wantok Mining Joint Venture,
Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea.
Evaluation of the Nalesbitan Gold Project, Philippines, on
behalf of Triarx Corporation.
Supervision of exploration programs at Nalesbitan for
Sagacity Partners.
Review of potential exploration projects in Vietnam for
Vietnam Resources.
1992 - 1993
McElroy Bryan Geological Services, Senior Contract Geologist,
Feasibility program on a coal project, Hunter Valley, NSW
1990 1992 Niugini Geological Services, Principal, PNG consulting work
1986 1990 RGC Exploration (PNG), Chief Exploration Geologist
1977 1986 Gold Fields Exploration Ltd, Exploration Geologist, Tas, NSW, Vic, Qld
GEOS MINING
SERVICES
Geos Mining have proven
an invaluable part of
Peel Explorations early
success story.
Rob Tyson, CEO
1. Independent reports, valuations and
identification and management of mine
investment arrangements and expert witness
Independent reports for companies
involved inIPO, re-listings, etc
Valuations (including net present
values) forassessment by funds
Location of opportunities for direct investment
Negotiation of joint ventures
5. Resources and reserve estimation
3D software (Gemcom and Micromine)
Geostatistics expertise
Staff who are JORC competent in a range
of commodities from dimension stone to
gypsum,uranium, coal, gold and base metals
2. Exploration management
Field staff and management
From one drilling program to whole program,
from grassroots exploration to resource estimate
Our team approach is an advantage
6. Tenement and agreement management
All reporting requirements
Licence applications and other
statutory obligations
Liaison with state governments on
project development issues
Negotiation and monitoring of all types
ofagreements
3. Industrial minerals mine quality issues
Quality control
Management of mining campaigns for
industrial minerals production
Market assessment for new product development
7. GIS and map production
Maps for reports
GIS for exploration data sets
Database management using GIS
(Mapinfo,Arcview and Access)
4. Project management
Exploration and development including
environmental, landholder, government,
scheduling and co-ordination inputs
8. Research grants
Preparation of grant applications
Negotiation of research input with academics
Project management of successful grants
GEOS MINING
ADVANTAGES
& SERVICES
building successful clients
Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your property interests will be managed
Suite 301,
68 Alfred Street,
Milsons Point NSW2061
Australia
T +61 2 9929 6868
F +61 2 9923 1112
E info@mineralgeos.com
www.mineralgeos.com
safe
A one stop shop
MINERALS EXPLORATION
cost effective
INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
THE
ADVANTAGES
In contrast to sole traders and labour hire firms, Geos
Minings advantages are:
A one stop shop
Covering all aspects of an exploration program
including literature searches, reconnaissance
exploration, database management, GIS,
3Dmodelling, JORC compliant ASX reporting,
tenements management and statutory reports
Efficient
We maximise our efficiencies by:
utilising junior staff to carry out less
skilledjobs
digital data recording in the field using
pda,toughbook, etc
using modern technology (handheld xrf)
reliable
efficient
secure
covered
ENERGY RESOURCES
TENEMENTS MANAGEMENT
OF using geos mining
for your full
exploration needs
Cost effective
You only pay for what you need
Quality controlled
All work is thoroughly peer reviewed
Reliable
Geos has additional staff on hand in case of
illness or leave, to ensure your project stays
on track. Drill rig stand-by time is therefore
minimised or avoided
Overviewed by a
Technical Manager
Ensuring high technical standards, continuity and
consistent project direction
Secure
Data is digitally recorded and backed up
inhouseon a daily basis
Safe
We have a detailed and proven OH&S system
with ongoing training provided to staff
Covered
Geos is covered by all relevant insurances
protecting staff & clients wherever appropriate
