Deposit-Scale Structural Geology Workshop with Jun Cowan

About the workshop

Understanding the structural features of mineral deposits is essential for effective exploration and accurate resource estimation

This course is not focused on sparsely sampled greenfield data analysis but on an in-depth examination of grade distribution within densely sampled mature deposits. Understanding the patterns that exist in a well-sampled mineral deposit is valuable for unravelling the patterns in sparsely sampled deposits.

We will examine multiple datasets to interpret mineral deposits based on fundamental structural concepts taught during the workshop. Although prior knowledge of structural geology is helpful, previous structural experience is not necessary, as we cover the basics required to structurally interpret mineral deposits using grade data—a technique never before published or taught in a formal course.

This workshop emphasizes learning by doing. Participants will actively work with real datasets, applying methods step by step, and developing practical habits they can immediately use in their own projects.

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with both new knowledge and practical tools for structurally interpreting mineral deposits, supporting more effective exploration and accurate resource estimation using any software that allows on screen digitization (such as Leapfrog and Micromine).

Please note that this is not a Leapfrog training course, but you will gain skills in this workshop to better utilise Leapfrog software and other geological modelling software.

The workshop focuses on project data

To do the analysis, a specialized software, OREFIND, is utilized. The Workshop attendees will receive one month of access to this unique tool to continue learning and applying the methods learned during the workshop. We rely on immersion as a method of teaching—geologists will rapidly learn from doing— so there are no extended lectures, only hands-on analysis from the onset. Jun relies on each geologist to analyze a lot of data to become familiar with the fundamental methods, so that by the end of the workshop, the methods will become established as a habit. One of the methods taught is a proprietary method of determining local ellipsoidal continuity of grade termed Locally Variable Anisotropy (LVA). This is another powerful analysis method and an industry first, not available anywhere else and only available on OREFIND software. For some images of the training software, please visit StructuralGeology.com.

Participants have also a unique opportunity to apply the methods directly to their own datasets (if provided).

Computer requirements

* Participants must supply laptop with NVIDIA card and test the compatibility of the laptop with Jun Cowan’s software OREFIND. Underpowered machines will prevent effective participation in Day 2 of the workshop. It is the participant’s responsibility to confirm compatibility well in advance by contacting Jun. Participants must have a two- button + wheel mouse. Two versions of the OREFIND software will be provided (OREFIND-A and OREFIND-B) before the workshop and will be installed and tested running.

Companies that are attending this workshop will be asked to see if they want to contribute their own data to study as a workshop collective. The grade data and coordinates can be transformed so that the deposits cannot be easily identified. The data must be prepared beforehand by Jun, so they need to contact Jun well before the workshop.