Physical Rock Properties Lab
Understanding your target and surrounding physical properties is as crucial as geochemistry for your exploration strategy. It is not only cost-effective, but it is guaranteed to save you time.
Physical rock property testing gathers essential information about rocks and minerals in the field or laboratory. These tests provide geologists and geophysicists with valuable insight into the geological characteristics of the subsurface. The data allows the assessment of the potential for mineral resources and enables the making of informed decisions about mineral exploration or mining operations. These tests also provide geophysicists with the data needed to create accurate subsurface models, detect subsurface anomalies, locate mineral deposits, and make informed decisions in fields such as mineral exploration, environmental studies, and geotechnical engineering.
Lab testing is complementary to field testing. For example, small-scale measures can be taken to exploit physical properties to constrain 3D inversion performed on ground and borehole survey data (e.g., IP, Gravity, and MAG).
Tests available in our Physical Rock Properties Lab:
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Chargeability and resistivity (using IP) - Can be useful for detailed mineral characterization and distribution, or for comparative analysis of different samples or deposits to determine the economic potential of mineralized zones. Commonly used for mineral deposits exhibiting disseminated sulphide minerals, as well as oxides and clays.
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Magnetic susceptibility - Can be valuable for mineral identification, zoning, and research purposes. This can be instrumental in the exploration of undercover deposits and understanding the geological history of an area.
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Density - Can aid in understanding the stratigraphy and lithology of a region. These data are crucial for modeling subsurface structures, such as faults & boundaries, basins, basement depth, and mineral deposits. It can also help detect magmatic intrusions, sulphide deposits, and alteration zones.
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EM conductivity – It’s an excellent tool for mapping lithologies as it highlights strong magnetic fields contrasts. Can be suitable when targeting conductive minerals and when detailed sample characterization or comparative analysis is required.
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Spectrometric - Can particularly be of value when targeting specific minerals or geological formations such as potassium, uranium, and thorium by providing information about the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of rocks and ores.
