It’s very easy when looking at mining stock to focus only on the final product. Understanding the entire extraction process is essential to fully appreciate any natural resource. Each billion-dollar mine project is unique (in terms of location, commodities, and size), but all follow the same five key steps.

Geologists study the liquids, gases, and solids of the Earth, as well as their processes. Mining geologists are responsible for mapping the location of valuable minerals. They will use geophysical surveys and aerial photos to estimate where these materials are.

Geologists who specialize in exploration are involved with the search and development of mineral deposits. The geologists locate and assess potential Richard Warke west Vancouver deposits for precious metals or industrial minerals. They also evaluate gemstones, pigments as well as other mineable materials.

The geologist records all the information he can from rocks at the surface. He will also look for the boundaries of different types and structures and fault lines, as well as evidence that the rock is undergoing a deformation. A geologist looks for ore mineral, metal-rich fluids flowing through the rock and records of mineralised veins.

The mining companies will then use these data to focus on more precise areas for rock and mineral samples. Geological maps with high resolution can be used to identify areas that are likely to contain mineralization, which could lead into potential deposits.

Mineral exploration uses geophysical measurements to gather information on the properties of rocks, sediments and other materials. Magnetic, radiometric and electromagnetic surveys are used by geophysical companies to identify responses that may indicate mineral deposits.

By measuring the physical properties of minerals, exploration geophysics can be used to determine their type. Geophysics is used for mapping the subsurface structures of a particular region. It can also be used to determine the distribution of rocks, faults and folds.

Assay is the name of a chemical test that measures how much metal or non-metal there is in a given sample. Chemical analysis can be performed on a wide range of geological material, including water, vegetation soil sediment, and rock.

Assay laboratories can perform single- and multielement analysis using a wide range of techniques. Samples of soil and rock are ground, powdered and fused with acid, and then analyzed using a variety of analytical instruments and methods. The interaction between an aqueous liquid and the host rock is responsible for most metallic ore deposit formation. To determine the hydrological conditions, as well as natural presence of toxic substances in soils and rocks, baseline samples are collected.

Geochemical surface analysis is performed on soil, rocks, water, plants, and vapour to detect trace metals, or any other element that could indicate the existence of an ore deposit. Geochemical methods have been instrumental in discovering numerous mineral deposits and continue to be used as a standard exploration method.