In their search for gold Maura Kolb and her team value a faster, more agile approach to integrate, manage and share their data.
What motivates exploration geologists most is to get ‘boots on the ground’ and fast-track that next exciting discovery.
“We’re looking with eyes wide open for any opportunities that could be beneath,” says Maura Kolb, Geologist and Director of Exploration, at Treasury Metals Inc.
“And we start to see those targets jump out at us the moment we get all our data-rich areas in one place and visualised as a 3D model,”
she says. Across any exploration project, the best way to save time, reduce risk and speed up decision-making is with effective data management. Maura and her team use the powerful data processing capabilities of Seequent subsurface solutions.
“We use the data workflow solution, MX Deposit, together with 3D modelling solution, Leapfrog Geo, to interpret, visualise and better understand our geology,”
says Maura. And with Seequent’s cloud-based integrated solution, Central, she and the team can quickly connect with collaborators every step of the way.
“Being able to easily share our latest 3D models is especially valuable when working remotely or with people who may not be geologists or mining experts,” says Maura.
A cross-section from the Goliath Lithology Model visualized in Leapfrog Geo, with a plan view inset showing its location.
From drillhole to decision
Treasury Metals is a gold-focused exploration and development company based in Dryden, Ontario and a stone’s throw from the Trans-Canadian highway.
Just as this epic east-to-west coast route beckons explorers, it was an uncharted strike length in the landscape that enticed Maura to join the company.
“When we acquired Goldlund along with our existing Goliath project, we found we had a 65-kilometre stretch of property with only three of those truly explored for mineralisation,”
says Maura. “As well as our full pipeline of early stage to resource development projects, I saw this as a real opportunity for exploration growth,” she says.
Here, gold-rich deposits can be found in the metamorphosed Archean stratigraphy – some of the planet’s oldest rocks.
Over billions of years, deep within the earth’s crust, hot mineral-bearing fluids flowed through fractures and weak spots, transporting the precious metal to new locations.
“Pressure exerted each time the crust moves causes variations in mineralisation styles and veining as well as different concentrations of gold,” says Maura.
“We are learning more about these deposits by capturing rock alterations with drill data and swiftly processing it in MX Deposit to be able to better inform our picklists.”
“When we create 3D models of these highly detailed data-rich areas in Leapfrog Geo, we start to see the geological patterns and build a better picture of exploration potential,” she says.
“As well as gold systems we have detected other economically viable metals, such as silver, that we can also look to potentially develop.”
A plan view map of Goldlund created in Leapfrog with drillhole traces showing gold concentrations and overlaid with an air photo of the site.
Enhanced data flow with integrated solutions
One of the biggest challenges with deposits yet to be mined is working with historical data.
When Treasury Metals merged Goldlund with Goliath we definitely had that struggle,” says Maura.
“We’d inherited two very different styles of drillhole data, different rock codes and even quite unique visions for each drilling campaign,”
she says.
“The only way to compare apples with apples was with the assurance of combining all geological drill and imagery data in a consistent way,” she says.
On limited time and under the pump, MX Deposit allowed the team to make swift work of cleansing and integrating all datasets together into one coherent database.
“It’s an easy, dynamic solution that gives you ownership tailored to your specific needs,” says Maura. “For example, knowing we’re in Archean rock and looking to capture typical gold alterations and veining so that our picklists and tables reflect that.”
“Within a year of pulling all of our available data sets across to MX Deposit and visualising it as geologic models in Leapfrog Geo, we decided to add Seequent Central.
“This has proved a powerful workflow enabling us to quickly and easily share our drill database and 3D models in real-time across the entire team for faster, more confident decision-making.”
Goliath deposits visualised in Leapfrog with drillhole traces showing gold concentrations and biotite alteration structures overlaid with the geophysics.
Increase confidence in your model
Another challenge when migrating and merging previous drill databases is the risk of losing data or not capturing it quite the same.
“This is where the value of good quality high-resolution core photos comes in,” says Maura.
“Here at Treasury Metals, we have an excellent core image library that we constantly look at to ‘truth’ our 3D geological models.”
“You can zoom right in to check rock alterations or better answer why a certain historical data set was collected,” she says. “And capture streams of mineralisation that are better accentuated when the core is dry, or wet.”
“We’ve made key observations from the imagery on one of our targets called the fold nose – noticing three different styles of mineralisation and more opportunity.”
There’s also the convenience of having core photos on hand from the safety of your desk.
“We’re often working in harsh terrain that might be under 10 feet of snow in winter,” says Maura.
“Over time and out in the elements all kinds of things may happen to core sheds or storage boxes,” she says. “Or exploration projects can be put on hold.”
“But if you’ve saved your data in multiple ways, backed by a library of quality data set imagery you can keep working through all the seasons and market changes,”
she says. “And if you’re forward thinking and take your photos well enough you can be future-ready for AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) applications.”
Operate smarter and faster with good data
With over ten years under her belt as an exploration geologist, Maura has seen how fast the industry is evolving.
“The way we survey, capture, interpret and interrogate data has changed,” says Maura. “Previously, we didn’t take core photos, as they were too big to save, but now (with improved software storage capability) – we couldn’t work without them!”
Junior explorers enjoy the simplicity of learning Seequent solutions, including its flexibility and ease of interoperability that creates a seamless workflow.
“They quickly see the benefits of being able to capture all their different data sets in MX Deposit then simply pushing that information over into Leapfrog Geo to create their 3D models,”
says Maura. “I’m excited to see where the next generation of explorers will take this technology!”
“Being Cloud-based is my personal favourite,” she says. “I could be working remotely, travelling for work, at a conference or meeting with the corporate team.”
“If I get a question on the spot, I’m not frantically trying to find all our latest geologic models but can easily access our most up-to-date versions in Central.”
“Our time is valuable and as a workflow solution; MX Deposit, Leapfrog Geo and Central are extremely time effective,” says Maura.
“In my job, it’s all about maximising investment opportunities with efficient decision-making.”
Goliath deposits visualised in Leapfrog with drillhole traces showing gold concentrations and biotite alteration structures overlaid with the geophysics.
Treasury Metals workflow which includes MX Deposit for Geological Data collection and integration, and Seequent Central for Geological Model Tracking and Team Collaboration, assisted in the noteworthy increase in Reserves.
MX Deposit: the only SaaS data management platform designed for the entire mining value chain allowing you to collect, manage and share your drilling and sample data.
Imago: Cloud-based Imago allows you to easily access, collaborate and validate using your high-quality geoscientific images.
Central: Central is a cloud-based data management solution that helps you visualise, track and manage your geoscience data from a centralised, auditable environment.
Leapfrog Geo: is a workflow-based 3D geological modelling tool allowing you to rapidly integrate, communicate, and interpret geological data.