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Exploration strategies for hydrothermal deposits
1INCO Limited, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Maximizing hydrothermal deposit discovery requires balancing cost and benefit using geological insights and exploration techniques. This approach optimizes resource allocation for economic exploration, even on Mars.
Area of Science:
- Geology
- Economic Geology
- Planetary Science
Background:
- Hydrothermal metal deposits are valuable but challenging to locate.
- Extensive drilling is cost-prohibitive for maximizing discovery certainty.
- Efficient exploration strategies are crucial for economic viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the economic theory of exploration based on expected value.
- To apply geological concepts and exploration techniques to hydrothermal deposit exploration.
- To identify suitable exploration methods for extraterrestrial hydrothermal systems, such as on Mars.
Main Methods:
- Review of economic theory, specifically expected value in exploration.
- Application of geological knowledge to refine exploration targeting.
- Evaluation of exploration techniques, including geochemistry and passive geophysics.
Main Results:
- Cost-benefit analysis indicates that extensive drilling is not economically feasible.
- Geological knowledge and targeted exploration techniques enhance discovery probability and minimize costs.
- Passive geophysical methods and geochemistry are identified as key techniques for Martian hydrothermal system exploration.
Conclusions:
- Economic principles and geological insights are essential for cost-effective hydrothermal deposit exploration.
- Strategic application of exploration techniques maximizes the benefit-to-cost ratio.
- Geochemistry and passive geophysics offer promising avenues for detecting hydrothermal systems on Mars.