Measurement of the physical properties: Improving mineral exploration and mining at depth

物理特性测量：改善矿产勘探和深度采矿

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-07177
• 负责人: Dupuis, Christian
• 金额: $ 2.19万
• 依托单位: Université Laval
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=755009
• 关键词: Measurement; physical; properties; Improving; mineral

Availability of mineral resources underpins all sectors of our society. Continued development of emerging countries and the transition to clean energy solutions are exerting ever increasing pressures on reserves of critical minerals. The objective of the current research proposal is to develop laboratory and borehole tools that will improve the efficiency of exploration and production of these minerals. These tools will also improve the safety of the workers and neighboring populations, as well as reduce the environmental impact of these projects. The tools and methods to be developed will allow routine measurement of physical properties throughout the life-cycle of mining projects. Since future reserves will likely be found at great depths we focus on the development of in-situ measurements of physical properties. Given the increased financial and logistical risks of these deep mining projects, a thorough description of the rock-mass will become of vital importance to the success of these endeavors. The integration of physical properties and geophysical imaging is key to reducing exploration and production risks. This research program leverages my expertise in instrumentation design and the research infrastructure that I have put in place at Université Laval. Highly qualified personnel (HQP) involved in these projects will have access to a well equipped research and development laboratory that allows the development of electronic and mechanical prototypes. They will also have access to a new generation wireline system and test wells that are located on campus. This infrastructure will provide them with an appropriate test bed to benchmark our new tools, and to test them against tools that are currently state of the art in this field. They will also have the opportunity to be part of a stimulating work environment that includes interacting with researchers from the 'Centre de recherche sur la géologie et l'ingénierie des ressources minérales' and Metal Earth which is funded by Canada first research excellence fund. The outcomes of this research program will help shape future mineral exploration and production in Canada and abroad. In addition to contributing to establish physical properties as a common reference point throughout mineral exploration and production this research will provide training opportunities that are unique in the world. These graduates will be able to engineer tomorrows exploration strategies and apply these tools to meet the mineral exploration challenges faced by the industry and our society.

矿产资源的供应是我国社会各部门的基础。新兴国家的持续发展和向清洁能源解决方案的过渡，对关键矿物的储量造成越来越大的压力。目前研究提案的目标是开发实验室和钻孔工具，以提高这些矿物的勘探和生产效率。这些工具还将提高工人和周边居民的安全，并减少这些项目对环境的影响。将开发的工具和方法将允许在采矿项目的整个生命周期内对物理特性进行例行测量。由于未来的储量可能会在很深的地方被发现，我们专注于物理性质的现场测量的发展。鉴于这些深部采矿项目的财务和物流风险增加，对岩体的全面描述将对这些努力的成功至关重要。综合物理属性和地球物理成像是降低勘探和生产风险的关键。这个研究项目利用了我在仪器设计方面的专业知识和我在拉瓦尔大学建立的研究基础设施。参与这些项目的高素质人员（HQP）将有机会使用设备齐全的研发实验室，以开发电子和机械原型。他们还将获得新一代电缆系统和位于园区内的测试威尔斯井。这个基础设施将为他们提供一个适当的测试平台，以基准测试我们的新工具，并针对该领域目前最先进的工具进行测试。他们还将有机会成为一个刺激的工作环境的一部分，包括与来自加拿大第一卓越研究基金资助的“地质和矿产资源工程研究中心”和金属地球的研究人员进行互动。该研究项目的成果将有助于塑造加拿大和国外未来的矿产勘探和生产。除了有助于建立物理特性作为整个矿物勘探和生产的共同参考点外，这项研究还将提供世界上独一无二的培训机会。这些毕业生将能够设计未来的勘探战略，并应用这些工具来应对行业和社会所面临的矿产勘探挑战。