Leveraging Next Generation Geophysics for the Next Generations of Discoveries

Learn more at booth 616 at the PDAC or online at SimcoeGeoscience.com.

Simcoe Geoscience Limited, located just north of Toronto, Canada delivers next generation geophysical surveys for mineral explorers globally. The company has proven itself via targeting effectiveness and mineral discoveries, such as the new Premier Mine from Ascot Resources in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia  which is attributed to the Alpha IP™ technology as well as a new Cu-Au-Ag discovery on the east coast of Canada in Newfoundland. Moreover, Simcoe’s technology and personnel have contributed to other discoveries in many distinct geological environments.

2D Alpha IP™ Targeting Helps Company Drill Discovery in Newfoundland on Third Hole

Alpha IP technology was developed as a next generation, “wireless” Induced Polarization and Resistivity technology to enable more effective targeting of new mineral discoveries for drilling. With a wide range of examples since the inception of Alpha IP^TM in 2015, here we show an example of a discovery in Newfoundland where there has been a significant gold rush over the past three or four years. In 2022, Simcoe Geoscience was called in to survey over a combination of grids and single survey lines in central Newfoundland – in a region of orogenic gold and copper terrain. As shown below, 2D Alpha IP^TM was able to successfully image a 2 m wide quartz vein stained blue with copper mineralization – the source of the detected IP anomaly.

The discovery process was remarkably efficient, with over 1% Cu, 0.7 g/t Au and almost 25 g/t Ag found on the third drill hole. This targeting efficiency both saved the company considerable time and effort, and allowed the mining company to go to market for more funding early to raise funds for more drilling of the high definition targets provided by Alpha IP™.

Using 2D Alpha IP™ Signatures to Characterize and Expand Known Mineral Resources to in the Vicinity of 3 Proposed Open Pits – An Intrusive Related Cu-Au Deposit, Yukon, Canada

Simcoe Geoscience has prospected extensively in the Yukon using its 2D Alpha IP™ survey technology with proven results – here we show an example in which the explorer requested coverage over a known resource to characterize the Alpha IP™ responses for the purpose of finding new extensions in the vicinity of the known resource. In the example below, we see Resistivity Scaled Chargeability signature –  a special parameter computed only by Simcoe Geoscience – and its revealing nature. Over the Oxide and Sulphide domains that have been drilled to establish the resource, a clear Alpha IP^TM signature is shown . This signature is the same as for the new extension at the Sourtoe Zone to the west (left side of page). Another highly prospective deep zone is also located to the right of the image.

Using only 4 survey lines ( with Alpha IP^TM penetration to over 800 m), Simcoe was able to define two new resources-  which were confirmed by the explorer – as well as up to four new deeper zones which suggest a much bigger potential mine footprint than previously thought. The short term value of the survey for the explorer was that they were able to upgrade their Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in January 2023 and now they are in the process of raising additional funds based on the PEA. These funds are intended for enhanced drilling of the new resources as well as the deeper zones.

Leveraging a 3D Alpha IP™ Survey into a VMS Discovery – Simcoe Geoscience Surveys the Historic King Solomons Mines

In 2020, Simcoe Geoscience responded to a client’s request for a 3D Alpha IP survey in the vicinity of one of the historic King Solomon’s mines in the Middle East. The mines have been worked for over 3000 years since the time of King Solomon but as seen from the image below (refer to the black marks and scratches on surface), only a small fraction of ore has been extracted and a huge orebody remains to be mined.

The 3D survey imaged to 1000 m in depth. In a subsequent step that Simcoe performs for all exploration clients, the company then targeted new drill holes (in this case, 12 holes) for drilling. The geophysical targeting helped locate ore in a high percentage of drill holes.

The client has subsequently constructed a mine in the vicinity and the ore is being extracted currently. The mine will be on stream for some time in the future. Based on the effectiveness of Simcoe Geoscience in performing and interpreting the survey, Simcoe has now been awarded follow up work based on the client’s success.

In this case, the leverage of Simcoe’s geophysical survey in terms of survey costs to return on investment (i.e. value of the contained ore) is significant. This is a significant return on investment for the explorer and the basis for continuing to apply Simcoe’s next generation geophysics for the next generation of discoveries at their properties in the Middle East.

Learn more at booth 616 at the PDAC or online at SimcoeGeoscience.com.