Shining a new light on mining: developing spectral metrics for process control and decision tools in mining exploration and operation.

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For mining exploration firms and mine operators, limited near real-time knowledge of the characteristics of geologic materials manipulated in and around mines impedes the development of efficiencies during exploration and mine exploitation. This applies for example to the characteristics of drill core and the assessment of the resources (e.g. quality of ore or shale reservoir). A long-term goal of my program is to meet these needs by conducting fundamental research in the analysis of hyperspectral imagery and later transforming the findings into an enabling technology. In this discovery cycle I will conduct studies focusing on three short term objectives: 1. Develop the real time mineral and geochemical characterization of shale core. I will focus on three research questions relevant to the characterization of shale reservoirs: i) Can one predict the total organic carbon and major element geochemical characteristics of shale core across a range of formations/basins? Here, focus is on expanding early findings across a range of major shale gas and tight oil plays; ii) Can one infer organic carbon phase relationships - kerogen, bitumen, pyrobitumen, and hydrocarbons? This is important because the specific organic carbon phase present in a shale formation dictates the type of producible hydrocarbon and relative permeability properties that are important to understanding flow rates; and iii) How many forms of silica can be discriminated? This influences geomechanical properties in a shale formation and thus fracturing potential. This research stands to provide direct means of assessing the quality of shale gas/oil reservoirs from drill core imagery. 2. Developing models to predict the geomechanical characteristics of shale drill core. To safely and effectively produce shale reservoirs through horizontal drilling and multi-stage fracking, the rock mechanics must be well characterized. This research stands to provide direct means of assessing the fracturing potential of shale gas/oil reservoirs from drill core imagery. Foreseen impact: Answers provided as part of objectives 1 and 2 open up the development of a shale classification scheme based on chips (point spectra at well site) an innovative and valuable application for industry to guide geosteering during drilling. 3. Advancing the development of mine wall and outcrop spectral imaging as a new field of remote sensing. Compared to drill core imagery, those of outcrops and mine walls have poorer spatial resolution (mm to cm size) and higher measurement noise. Can our recently developed spectral angle based band selection method improve the mapping of minerals and their chemistry in such settings? I will begin by examining dolomitic alteration that presents a range of compositional and textural characteristics. This research is relevant for guiding exploration efforts and exploitation of several types of resource deposits (oil and gas reservoirs and lead-zinc deposits).