Abstract Geological maps are powerful models for visualizing the complex distribution of rock types through space and time. However, the descriptive information that forms the basis for a preferred map interpretation is typically stored in geological map databases as unstructured text data that are difficult to use in practice. Herein we apply natural language processing (NLP) to geoscientific text data from Canada, the U.S., and Australia to address that knowledge gap. First, rock descriptions, geological ages, lithostratigraphic and lithodemic information, and other long-form text data are translated to numerical vectors, i.e., a word embedding, using a geoscience language model. Network analysis of word associations, nearest neighbors, and principal component analysis are then used to extract meaningful semantic relationships between rock types. We further demonstrate using simple Naive Bayes classifiers and the area under receiver operating characteristics plots (AUC) how word vectors can be used to: (1) predict the locations of “pegmatitic” (AUC = 0.962) and “alkalic” (AUC = 0.938) rocks; (2) predict mineral potential for Mississippi-Valley-type (AUC = 0.868) and clastic-dominated (AUC = 0.809) Zn-Pb deposits; and (3) search geoscientific text data for analogues of the giant Mount Isa clastic-dominated Zn-Pb deposit using the cosine similarities between word vectors. This form of semantic search is a promising NLP approach for assessing mineral potential with limited training data. Overall, the results highlight how geoscience language models and NLP can be used to extract new knowledge from unstructured text data and reduce the mineral exploration search space for critical raw materials. 

/pdf/applications-of-natural-language-processing-to-geoscience-3q58tc7j.pdf

Applications of Natural Language Processing to Geoscience Text Data and Prospectivity Modeling

. Mineral exploration in areas comprising thick and complex cover represents an intrinsic challenge in Australia. Cost and time efficient methods that help to narrow down exploration areas are therefore of particular interest to the Australian mining industry and for mineral exploration world wide. Based on a case study around the Tarcoola gold mine in the regolith dominated South Australian Central Gawler Craton we suggest an exploration targeting workflow based on the joint analysis of surface and subsurface lineaments. The datasets utilized in this study are a digital elevation model and radiometrics that represent surface signals and total magnetic intensity and gravity attributed to subsurface signals. We compare automatically and manually mapped lineament sets derived from remotely sensed data. In order to establish an integrated concept for exploration through cover based on the best suited lineament data, we will point out the most striking differences between the automatically and manually detected lineaments and compare the datasets that represent surficial in contrast to subsurface structures. After determining which mapping technique is best suited for preliminary exploration in regolith dominated areas, such as the Central Gawler Craton, we will show how merging surface and subsurface lineament data may prove useful for mapping prospective areas. We propose that target areas are represented by areas of high lineament densities that are adjacent to regions comprising high density of intersections.

/pdf/establishing-an-integrated-workflow-identifying-and-linking-3dewkjvpvn.pdf

Establishing an integrated workflow identifying and linking surface and subsurface lineaments for mineral exploration under cover: Example from the Gawler Craton, South Australia

Abstract. Mineral exploration in areas comprising thick and complex cover represents an intrinsic challenge. Cost- and time-efficient methods that help to narrow down exploration areas are therefore of particular interest to the Australian mining industry and for mineral exploration worldwide. Based on a case study around the Tarcoola gold mine in the regolith-dominated South Australian central Gawler Craton, we suggest an exploration targeting workflow based on the joint analysis of surface and subsurface lineaments. The datasets utilised in this study are a digital elevation model and radiometric data that represent surface signals and total magnetic intensity and gravity attributed to subsurface signals. We compare automatically and manually mapped lineament sets derived from remotely sensed data. In order to establish an integrated concept for exploration through cover based on the best-suited lineament data, we will point out the most striking differences between the automatically and manually detected lineaments and compare the datasets that represent surficial in contrast to subsurface structures. We further show how lineaments derived from surface and subsurface datasets can be combined to obtain targeting maps that help to narrow down areas for mineral exploration. We propose that target areas are represented by high lineament densities which are adjacent to regions comprising high density of lineament intersections. 

Establishing an integrated workflow identifying and linking surface and subsurface lineaments for mineral exploration under cover: example from the Gawler Craton, South Australia

Abstract. Strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) are useful to trace processes in the Earth sciences as well as in forensic, archaeological, palaeontological, and ecological sciences. As very few large-scale Sr isoscapes exist in
Australia, we have identified an opportunity to determine
87Sr/86Sr ratios on archived fluvial sediment samples from the
low-density National Geochemical Survey of Australia. The present study
targeted the northern parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and
Queensland, north of 21.5∘ S. The samples were taken mostly from
a depth of ∼60–80 cm in floodplain deposits at or near the
outlet of large catchments (drainage basins). A coarse (<2 mm)
grain-size fraction was air-dried, sieved, milled, and digested
(hydrofluoric acid + nitric acid followed by aqua regia) to release
total Sr. The Sr was then separated by chromatography, and the 87Sr/86Sr
ratio was determined by multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry. The results demonstrate a wide range of Sr isotopic values (0.7048
to 1.0330) over the survey area, reflecting a large diversity of source rock
lithologies, geological processes, and bedrock ages. The spatial distribution of
87Sr/86Sr shows coherent (multi-point anomalies and smooth
gradients), large-scale (>100 km) patterns that appear to be
broadly consistent with surface geology, regolith/soil type, and/or nearby
outcropping bedrock. For instance, the extensive black clay soils of the
Barkly Tableland define a >500 km long
northwest–southeast-trending unradiogenic anomaly (87Sr/86Sr
<0.7182). Where sedimentary carbonate or mafic/ultramafic igneous
rocks dominate, low to moderate 87Sr/86Sr values are generally
recorded (medians of 0.7387 and 0.7422, respectively). Conversely, In proximity to the
outcropping Proterozoic metamorphic basement of the Tennant, McArthur,
Murphy, and Mount Isa geological regions, radiogenic
87Sr/86Sr values (>0.7655) are observed. A potential
correlation between mineralization and elevated 87Sr/86Sr values
in these regions needs to be investigated in greater detail. Our results
to date indicate that incorporating soil/regolith Sr isotopes in regional,
exploratory geoscience investigations can help identify basement rock types
under (shallow) cover, constrain surface processes (e.g. weathering and
dispersion), and, potentially, recognize components of mineral systems.
Furthermore, the resulting Sr isoscape and future models derived therefrom
can also be utilized in forensic, archaeological, palaeontological, and
ecological studies that aim to investigate, for example, past and modern animal
(including humans) dietary habits and migrations. The new spatial Sr isotope
dataset for the northern Australia region is publicly available (de Caritat
et al., 2022a; https://doi.org/10.26186/147473).


pdf/a-strontium-isoscape-of-northern-australia-6ltvxhon.pdf

A strontium isoscape of northern Australia

Seven carbonate hosted Zn-Pb (+/-Ag, Ba) or Cu deposits have been mined in Lower Carboniferous limestones in Ireland since 1960 - representing a resource base of ca. 22 Mt of metal (Tynagh, Gortdrum, Magcobar, Silvermines, Navan, Galmoy and Lisheen). The orebodies are amenable to modern mining and metallurgical processes and exploration for further deposits continues. Several significant prospects remain unexploited with numerous smaller prospects and mineralized localities attesting to the metal endowment of the country (Pallas Green, Stonepark, Ballinalack, Kilbricken and Keel). These deposits share sufficient characteristics to be termed Irish-type Base Metal Deposits and define a metallogenic province of worldwide significance known as the Central Irish Ore-field. Early discoveries resulted from shallow soil geochemistry, Induced Polarization surveys, and follow-up of legacy mining or mineralized outcrops. More expensive, deeper penetration methods including deep drilling, airborne geophysics and seismic methods have been utilized extensively in more recent years - but thus far with variable success. Large amounts of ground remain unexplored at depth, but further discovery is extremely challenging. Following over 60 years of discovery and mining this contribution summarizes our knowledge of Irish-type deposits and their exploration with a view to generating new ideas for future discovery. The Tynagh, Silvermines, Lisheen and Galmoy deposits, all hosted in the Waulsortian Limestone, occur in a distinct area in the SW of the Orefield. Silvermines, Lisheen and Galmoy are remarkably similar, comprising several, tabular, stratabound, lenses containing locally massive and high-grade sphalerite-galena with substantial pyrite +/- barite. These deposits are hosted in the first clean limestone above basement in Lower Carboniferous limestones and dolomites and exhibit fine grained, replacive sulphides with significant breccia and crosscutting mineralization. Structurally all these deposits abut major syn-sedimentary faults usually trending NE or ENE. The Navan deposit occurs on the NE side of the Orefield and is hosted in stratigraphically lower, Pale Bed limestones, that are roughly age equivalent to the Waulsortian Limestone in the SW of the Orefield. Navan is much larger and more complex than the deposits in the SW Orefield but shares several of their key characteristics. A review of the characteristics of Irish-type deposits and exploration results suggests some important areas for future exploration and research. For example, most observers relate the location of Irish-type deposits to the regional distribution of host rocks and structures of a certain age. It is suggested that the spatial location of these deposits is more fundamentally controlled by deep structural heterogeneities related to the collisional zone between basement rock terranes termed the Iapetus Suture. Understanding the timing of fault development is likely key to further discovery at depth as the mineralizing feeder structures are located on faults that did not necessarily extend through post-Waulsortian aged strata. Several promising fields for research and development to help enable further discovery are discussed.

Irish-type Zn-Pb deposits - What are they and can we find more?

The 1.66 million line km Gawler Craton Airborne Survey (GCAS) is now moving into its final stage, with 99% of its magnetic, radiometric and elevation data acquisition now complete (Figure 1). There has been a recent pause in acquisition due to shared access arrangements within the Woomera Prohibited Area (WPA), however that has not stopped the continued processing, quality control and data enhancements being applied to the currently acquired data, as the GCAS team endeavour to release one of the most comprehensive, high quality airborne surveys in South Australia’s history. The survey has captured magnetics, radiometrics and elevation data at 200 m line spacing with a 60 m ground clearance, improving the resolution of existing grids based on existing 400 m line spaced data by a factor of 4. Data QC

Geological Survey of South Australia: An overview of the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey – new data and products

The Geological Survey of South Australia (GSSA) designed the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey (GCAS) to provide high resolution magnetic, gamma-ray and elevation data covering the northern portion of ...

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/22020586.2019.12073168

Learnings from the Gawler Craton airborne survey quality control

Abstract The North Australian Zinc Belt is the largest zinc-lead province in the world, containing three of the ten largest known individual deposits (HYC, Hilton-George Fisher, and Mount Isa). The Northern Cordillera in North America is the second largest zinc-lead province, containing a further two of the world’s top ten deposits (Red Dog and Howards Pass). Despite this world-class endowment, exploration in both mineral provinces during the past 2 decades has not been particularly successful, yielding only two significant discoveries (Teena, Australia, and Boundary, Canada). One of the most important aspects of exploration is to choose mineral provinces and districts within geological belts that have the greatest potential for discovery. Here, we present results from these two zinc belts that highlight previously unused datasets for area selection and targeting. Lead isotope mapping using analyses of mineralized material has identified gradients in μ ( 238 U/ 204 Pb) that coincide closely with many major deposits. Locations of these deposits also coincide with a gradient in the depth of the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary determined from calibrated surface wave tomography models converted to temperature. Furthermore, gradients in upward-continued gravity anomalies and a step in Moho depth correspond to a pre-existing major crustal boundary in both zinc belts. A spatial association of deposits with a linear mid- to lower-crustal resistivity anomaly from magnetotelluric data is also observed in the North Australian Zinc Belt. The change from thicker to thinner lithosphere is interpreted to localize prospective basins for zinc-lead mineralization and to control the gradient in lead isotope and geophysical data. These data, when combined with data indicative of paleoenvironment and changes in plate motion at the time of mineralization, provide new exploration criteria that can be used to identify prospective mineralized basins and define the most favorable parts of these basins. 

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s00126-022-01153-9.pdf

Zinc on the edge—isotopic and geophysical evidence that cratonic edges control world-class shale-hosted zinc-lead deposits

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Geological Survey of South Australia: An overview of the Gawler Craton Airborne Survey – new data and products

Learnings from the Gawler Craton airborne survey quality control

Zinc on the edge—isotopic and geophysical evidence that cratonic edges control world-class shale-hosted zinc-lead deposits