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Targeting
Key Messages
•Predictive targeting requires an organising framework – the
Mineral System approach
•Ore deposits are part of a much larger system
•Ore-forming systems show diverse chemical processes but a
much narrower range of physical processes – focusing on these is
the key to predictability
•Mineral systems are complex dynamic systems, exhibiting self-
organised critical (SOC) behaviour
•Critical elements of mineral systems are whole lithosphere
architecture, transient favourable geodynamics, fertility, and
preservation
•Mineral systems have different expressions at different scales
The Problem
“Random”
Spatial Distributions
Exploration Data
Organizing
Framework
Predictive
Analysis
(Targeting)
Example of a Successful Organising Framework
Concentrated Metal
Deposit
40 km
Moho
deposit types
Northern Part of Belt:
Deep-water Seds and Basalt, No
Felsic Volcs VHMS – Epithermal
Hybrid Deposits
Alexander Triassic
Epithermal Style
Metallogenic Belt
Base Metal Veins
12
Modified from Taylor et al (2008)
Mineral Systems are highly dynamic
Take elements at low concentration from large volumes of
rock to high concentration in small volumes of rock
A B
Energy Sink
Energy Flux –
Released in transient “Avalanches”
Potential
Threshold Barrier
Energy Entropy
Gradient Self-Organized (exported to
System environment as
diffuse heat)
Energy Flux –
fed into system at a slow rate
Energy Source
Fluid Sink
Episodic focused energy
and mass flux Thermal halo - produced by entropy
dumped into environment
Threshold Barrier
(need not be a physical seal)
Fluid Reservoir
Fluid Reservoir
Electric Charges Accumulate Slowly
Ground
Threshold Barrier:
Resistive Air
Kanowna Belle
Example
(Henson, 2008)
100m
Ore-fluid flow
Begg et al (2009)
McCuaig et al. (2010); Sm-Nd map from Cassidy & Champion (2004)
Carlin
Trend
BME
Trend
Metallogenic Association framework derived from Hronsky et al (2012); Note that all
deposits are susceptible to removal by subsequent unrelated orogenic cycles
Key Messages
•Predictive targeting requires an organising framework – the
Mineral System approach
•Ore deposits are part of a much larger system
•Ore-forming systems show diverse chemical processes but a
much narrower range of physical processes – focusing on these is
the key to predictability
•Critical elements of mineral systems are whole lithosphere
architecture, transient favourable geodynamics, fertility, and
preservation
•Mineral systems have different expressions at different scales