MINERAL EXPLORATION

GNS Mineral Services is New Zealand's leading consultant in mineral exploration. We provide consultant services for each key phase of exploration process

• Target Selection for Mineral Exploration
• Mineral Deposit Investigations
• Regional studies
• Mineral Resource Information
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Recent Projects

Target Selection for Mineral Exploration
GNS has assembled a vast store of knowledge on the mineral deposits of New Zealand and their geological setting. Our libraries and databases, together with the knowledge and experience of our staff, provide a comprehensive source of information for area, commodity and target selection. Our services include:

• NZ's most comprehensive minerals databases
• commodity studies including geological occurrence, potential and uses
• integration of data using computer Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• advice on mineral exploration potential and ore deposit models for specific regions
• development of exploration guidelines and targets for districts and regions
• geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys
  

 

Mineral Deposit Investigations
New Zealand's active geothermal systems, diverse volcanic complexes and classic schist belts provide a natural laboratory for Institute scientists to study the processes controlling ore formation. Field research in New Zealand's active environment, combined with our extensive research history, gives us an edge in understanding a diverse range of mineral deposits. The benefits of our research experience are available to clients, allowing them to reduce the costs of exploration through greater understanding of ore formation and expression.

GNS provides a wide range of services for mineral deposit investigations:

• mineral exploration programmes, including designing, implementing, and interpreting geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys
• field mapping of geology and hydrothermal alteration
• geophysical surveys including electrical resistivity, CSAMT resistivity, ground magnetic, gravity and seismic surveys, and downhole geophysical logging
• interpretation of aeromagnetic surveys
• petrological and mineralogical studies of host rocks, hydrothermal alteration and ores
• fluid inclusion, stable isotope, XRD, XRF, EPMA and SEM analyses
• modelling of mineral deposits
  

 

Regional Studies
GNS Mineral Services can provide assessments of the mineral resources in your region - for mineral exploration, land-use planning and resource management. This type of study could include:

• appraisals of regional geology
• lists of known mineral commodities and mineral deposit types
• documentation of known mineral resources
• estimates of the potential for occurrence of additional resources and deposits similar to those already known to exist
• estimates of the potential for occurrence of new commodities and types of deposits
• field surveys to support the mineral resource analyses
  

 

Mineral Resource Information
GNS is New Zealand's largest producer and store of geological information. It is an essential enquiry point for information on mineral deposits and their geological setting. We have libraries of international publications and reports on geological, geophysical, geochemical and nuclear topics. Much information is now also available on digital databases. GNS' information databases include:

• geological map information
• aeromagnetic, resistivity and gravity surveys (digital databases)
• inventories of New Zealand mineral deposits (Geological Resource Maps) (digital database)
• metallogenic map information
• regional stream sediment geochemistry (digital database)
• mineral deposit and exploration literature (digital bibliography)

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Computer Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are increasingly important in customising and integrating a broad range of exploration data. GNS' data management utilises recent advances in information technology. Our GIS consultancy services include:

• design and management of databases
• production of maps integrating selected information
• 3-D modelling of the subsurface and of ore bodies
• modelling structural controls
• digital terrain modelling
• customised data visualisation and graphics.

Recent Projects
GNS Mineral Services provides services to the exploration and mining industry, and government regulatory agencies. Some of our recent projects include:

• GIS synthesis of geological and exploration data (NZ)
• GIS mineral resource assessment and prospectivity analysis (NZ)
• hazard assessment of abandoned underground workings at Waihi (NZ)
• structural mapping of mesothermal gold deposits (NZ)
• mineralogy and chemistry of natural zeolites (NZ, Malaysia)
• appraisal of exploration data and programmes for gold-silver prospects, Coromandel Peninsula (NZ)
• assessment of the precious and base metal prospectivity of the Jinniu Volcanic Basin, Hubei Province, China
• assessment of ceramic clay deposits (NZ and north Asia)
• assessment of the mineral resources of the Taranaki region (NZ)
• mineral commodity reports (NZ)
• provision of digital data from our mineral occurrence database (NZ)
• fluid inclusion and stable isotope analyses (NZ, Japan, Canada)
• ore petrography including SEM (NZ, Sardinia)
• identification of concrete aggregate quality and deleterious properties (Taranaki, NZ)
• resistivity surveys (NZ)
• slope stability studies of pit walls (NZ)
• monitoring of environmental remediation work (Coromandel, NZ)

If you would like more information about our services, or would like to discuss how we can contribute to your project, please get in touch with us.

For information further information please contact

Dr Tony Christie
Phone: +64-4-570 4682
or Bob Brathwaite
Phone: +64-4-570 4724
or contact us here

Mineral Services
GNS
30 Gracefield Road
PO Box 31-312
Lower Hutt New Zealand