HyLogging case studies

CASE STUDIES: Minerals Down Under

Three mineralogical studies from the CSIRO in Australia:
Gold, Iron Ore and Rare Earth Elements.
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Case study#1
Gold
Mine-scale Spectrally Determined Alteration
Mineralogy at Kanowna Belle Gold Mine, W.A.
Melissa Quigley1 and Carl Young2
1
CSIRO Earth Science and Resource Engineering,
2
Barrick Gold of Australia Ltd
Introduction
Kanowna Belle (KB) is a ~10 Moz Archaean gold deposit
located 25 km northeast of Kalgoorlie at 3037 S, 12135 (Fig 2), drilled west from the footwall to hangingwall,
E on the Kanowna (3236) 1:100 000 map sheet. KB lies
within the Boorara Domain structural subdivision (Swager,
1997) of the Kalgoorlie Terrane, Eastern Goldfields Province,
W.A. Mineralisation is principally hosted in 4 gold lodes
within a sequence of volcaniclastic and conglomeratic rocks,
separated into hangingwall and footwall sequences by the
Fitzroy Structure.
To mineralogically characterise the deposit and identify
vectors to ore, 6000 m of diamond drill core was scanned
with CSIROs prototype HyLogger (Fig 1) to acquire
hyperspectral reflectance measurements across the visible-
near-infra-red to short-wave-infra-red (VNIR-SWIR) (400 -
2500 nm) range of the electromagnetic spectrum. A 3000 m
subset of this core was also scanned with the recently
developed thermal-infrared (TIR) (7000 - 14000 nm)
HyLogger. These spectral regions contain diagnostic
spectral signatures of minerals common to many geological
units and hydrothermal alteration assemblages. HyLogger
is a highly-automated instrument that enables the rapid
acquisition of hyperspectral reflectance measurements
together with high resolution continuous digital colour
imagery, measuring ~700 m of core per day, in their trays.
Results for drill hole KDU1595 are shown here to
demonstrate the effectiveness of HyLogging at KB.
Results and Discussion
White micas, chlorites and carbonates are the key alteration
minerals identified from the VNIR-SWIR HyLogger data
(Quigley, 2005) and subtle changes in their chemistry reflect
varying physico-chemical properties of the alteration fluids.
White mica, chlorite and carbonate composition determined
from the mineral spectra show systematic variation across
White mica chemistry variations (Fig 2a)
are a key proximity indicator to many of
the ore zones at Kanowna Belle. White
micas are identified by a diagnostic
absorption feature around ~2190 2225
nm. Shorter wavelengths indicate greater
Al, longer wavelengths indicate less Al,
substituted for Fe/Mg. Mixed zones and
steep gradients between white mica
wavelengths from ~2208 2220 nm
(muscovitic-phengitic) show a spatial
association with the ore zone. This
alteration pattern can be visualised by
modelling the white mica wavelengths
extracted from the HyLogger data
the distal chlorite whitemica carbonate and proximal (Fig 3).
whitemica carbonate alteration assemblages. Albite,
quartz and carbonates identified from the TIR HyLogger However, not all steep gradients of white
data also display systematic variation across the deposit and mica wavelengths are mineralised. No
are currently being investigated. single spectral parameter can uniquely
delineate the ore zones, rather a
KDU1595 combination of features as shown in
A selection of results are shown here for drill hole KDU1595 Figure 2 is required to provide vectors to
ore and to differentiate ore from waste
intersecting a variety of lithologies and alteration styles and effectively.
the Velvet ore zone (~589 638 m) where gold assays are
reported up to 44.8 ppm, capped here at 5 ppm for display Structures and subtle fluid pathways have
purposes (Fig 2a). Conventionally logged lithology (Fig 2b), also been fingerprinted based on the
alteration and structure were imported into The Spectral spectro-mineralogical results, such as the
Geologist Core software to review the spectro- footwall shear zone at ~460 m identified
mineralogical results in a geological context. by an abrupt increase in white mica
absorption intensity (Fig 2b), abundant
Based on the HyLogger results, the ore zone is muscovite (Fig 2c) and chlorite depletion
characterised by: (Fig 2g). Further information on cross-
a steep gradient change in white mica wavelengths (Fig cutting relationships and textures can be
2a), low absorption intensity of the gained from the detailed linescan imagery.
white micas (Fig 2b), with moderate to abundant
Fig 2. KDU1595 spectromineralogical results. See blue text in Results section for details.
muscovite and phengite (Fig 2c) Conclusion
(Count on Y-axis = abundance reported per 2 metre interval).
quartz/silica depletion (Fig 2d) Spectrally determined, semi-quantitative
partial enrichment in albite (Fig 2e) mineralogy and associated mineralogical
abundant carbonate (dolomite/ankerite interpreted from Kanowna Bell pit parameters (e.g. intensity and chemistry)
peak wavelengths) (Fig 2f) extracted from the HyLogger data
no chlorite (Fig 2g) effectively delineate and characterise the
ore zone. A combination of the
 Ore envelope
HyLogger results could generate a
+3 ppm Au
KDU1595  prospectivity scalar to provide vectors to
ore, better delineate ore from waste and
provide an independent measure of
confidence in gold grade and continuity.
From (nm) To (nm)
Paragoniti
 Fitzroy
The HyLogger results also identified
cMuscovitic
Structure
Phengitic
inconsistencies in the conventionally
logged lithology and alteration,
demonstrating the potential of the
Fig 3. Drill hole traces coloured by HyLogger derived white mica absorption feature wave-
lengths, diagnostic of chemistry variations representing proximity indicators to ore (oblique view
HyLogger to provide greater objectivity
and consistency.
looking NE, KB mine grid, ~1 km spacing).
Fig 1. VNIR-SWIR HyLoggerTM hardware components.
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Case study#2
Iron Ore
3D mineralogy from
hyperspectral drill core data
Rocklea Dome Channel Iron
Deposit, WA
M. Haest1,2*, T. Cudahy1,2 and C.
Laukamp1,2
1
CSIRO Earth Science and Resource
Engineering, 26 Dick Perry Avenue,
Kensington WA 6151, Australia
2
WA Centre of Excellence for 3D
Mineral Mapping (C3DMM), Australia
Introduction
Iron ore miners across the world have
been confronted with a lack of
objective, easily accessible mineralogy,
to help: (a) explore for iron ore; (b)
delineate marginal from ore grade
materials; and (c) monitor ore quality
during processing. This need is now
solvable using quantitative mineralogy
generated from rapid drill core logging
hyperspectral systems, such as CSIROs
HyLogger.
To demonstrate this opportunity,
HyLogger data were measured for 180
RC and 14 diamond drill cores from
the Murchison Metals Limited Rocklea
Dome Channel Iron Deposit (CID) in
the western part of the Hamersley
Province (WA). Mineralogy was
extracted from the hyperspectral data
using a set of publicly available
multiple feature extraction algorithms
(Cudahy et al., 2008) in a commercial
software package (The Spectral
Geologist TSG). The results were
validated against X-ray fluorescence
(XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD)
measurements. The validated
hyperspectral drill core mineralogy was
Fig 1. Correlation between hyperspectral derived iron oxide abundance and wt% Fe XRF results
for 5000 RC samples.
processed in 1D along drill holes, in 2D
profiles and in 3D models created with
Leapfrog. Results show how the
processed end-products can have
significant impact on exploration,
resource modelling and mining.
Hyperspectral drill core logging in the
Rocklea Dome is part of a project of
the WA Centre of Excellence for 3D
Mineral Mapping (C3DMM - http://
c3dmm.csiro.au/), which aims at
building capabilities for delivering
seamless 3D mineralogy from drill core,
airborne and satellite hyperspectral
data. The final goal of the centre is to
create a publicly available, accurate
and seamless mineral map of the
Australian continent by 2020.
Validation of hyperspectral
mineralogy
The Rocklea drill core data set of
approximately 5000 samples includes
mineral abundance and mineral
composition information generated
from the HyLogging data and
calculated using the depths and
positions of diagnostic absorption
features. The derived spectral
mineralogy was validated against XRF
and XRD data.
The accuracy could be estimated for
the following products, stated as root
mean square error:
Fe-oxide abundance: 9.1 wt% Fe
(Fig 1)
Hematite-goethite distribution:
12.7%
AlOH-clay abundance: 3.9 wt%
Al2O3
Further currently developed mineral
products include:
- Kaolinite composition
- Carbonate abundance
- Carbonate composition
Hyperspectral mineralogy in 3
dimensions
Processing of hyperspectral
mineralogy along diamond drill cores
at 1cm spatial resolution clearly shows
the stratified nature of the channel
iron deposit in the Rocklea Dome area
(Zones II to VI in Fig 2). Important
mineral products include (Fig 2):
Iron oxide abundance showing a
strong negative correlation with ore
diluents (e.g. kaolinite, smectite and
carbonate). Zone IV is the main ore
zone.
Vitreous-ochreous goethite clear
variations in the ore type, with
vitreous goethite close to the
surface (zone V - hardcap) and
ochreous goethite dominance in
main ore zone (zone IV).
Kaolinite abundance and
composition clear delineation of
clay zones and more poorly-ordered
(~ transported) clays in the centre of
the channel (zones II, III and V).
Carbonate and Fe-smectite
abundance calcrete with associated
Fe-smectite covering the ore body
(zone VI)
3D mineral mapping re-confirmed the
correlation with the XRF results and
improved the existing ore body
characterisation, including:
Mapping of the Fe-oxide abundance
in 3D produced an almost identical
volume to the volume outlined by
XRF at the same Fe-content level.
The main iron ore volume is Fig 2. Hyperspectral drill core mineralogy at 1 cm spatial resolution for a diamond drill core
through the centre of the Rocklea Dome CID.
dominated by ochreous goethite and
is locally covered by a horizon of
vitreous goethite (~ hardcap).
The ore body is underlain by a
kaolinite-rich zone, which is also
more dominant in the tributary
channel to the northwest. The
central section of the channel is
covered with Al-smectite and
towards the eastern side Fe-smectite
is observed (Fig 3).
The main CID is covered by a laterally
continuous zone of high carbonate
abundance (i.e. the calcrete), which
is detectable with spectral remote
Fig 3. 3D mineralisation model of the Rocklea Dome CID, outlining the different clay volumes,
sensing techniques. surrounding the CID resource.
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Case study#3
Rare Earth Elements

HyLogging of Rare Earth Element (REE)
bearing rocks
Jon Huntington (CSIRO),
Belinda Smith (Northern Territory Geological Survey),
Lena Hancock (Geological Survey of Western Australia
Introduction
Many rocks, chips and soil samples containing rare earth
elements (REE) such as neodymium, and praseodymium, can
now be easily determined using CSIROs HyLogging
technologies.
With the increasing take-up around Australia of automated
logging of drill cores and chips using non-destructive
reflectance spectroscopy (aka HyLogging) we are also seeing
a significant expansion in the diversity in the applications to
which this technology is being put. One of these new
www.ga.gov.au/minerals/mineral-resources/rare-earth-
elements.html). There has been much recent public
discussion about the forecast imminent shortage of Rare
Earths and the potential impact on industries that rely on
Rare Earths. The looming supply deficiency has been
apparent for the past decade. (see: http://www.lynascorp.
com/category.asp?category_id=2).
HyLogging rare earths
Minerals and rocks that may contain mainly the light rare
earth elements include monazite, bastnsite, apatite and
carbonatite which show very diagnostic and unique spectral
absorption features in the visible and near infrared portion
of the electromagnetic spectrum making them very
amenable to sensing with reflectance spectroscopy (Fig 1).
REE-bearing deposits may also be associated with high levels
HyLogging is a rapid semi-automated suite of technologies
that permit the non-destructive and non contact scanning of
drill chips, cores and hand samples to reveal much of their
mineralogical content (Fig 2). It comprises both hardware
and software technologies and, importantly, people to
manage and interpret the results.
The HyLogging measurement technologies are now available
for commercial labs, Australias State and Territory Geological
Surveys through AuScopes National Virtual Core Library
(NVCL) project. HyLogging spectral results can be analysed in
the The Spectral Geologist (TSG) software (TSG-Viewer is
available free from www.thespectralgeologist.com).
Fig 2. HyLogger-2 instrument in its shipping container laboratory at
the Geological Survey of Western Australia.

applications is the determination of minerals and rocks of uranium and thorium. REE occurrences in Australia
containing rare earth elements that are increasingly include, but are not restricted to, a variety of heavy mineral
attracting the attention of mineral explorers around Australia sands deposits (e.g. Ginko in NSW), Nolans Bore in the NT,
and the world. the Dubbo Zirconia Project at Toongi in NSW, and the
Cummins Range and Mt Weld carbonatites in WA.
Background
During the past decade there has been strong growth in
demand for rare earths as a result of emerging technology
applications in catalysts, glass, polishing, metal alloys and
magnets, which accounts for about 80 per cent of the
current total annual demand of around 124,000 tonnes of
REO. Globally, the production and resources of rare earths is
dominated by China, which accounts for about 97 per cent
of the production followed by India with about two per
cent. These figures are only approximate because the
production for the Commonwealth of Independent States,
which is made up of former members of the Soviet Union, is
not available. The most significant increases in demand
for REO are attributed to a predicted expansion in hybrid
cars, followed by petroleum catalyst, glass manufacturing
and polishing and multi-level electronic components. The Fig 3. TSG-Core visualisation of the Nolans Bore drill-hole NBDH037
Fig 1. Typical VNIR/SWIR spectrum from a single ~10 mm sample of a showing rare earth mapping. From left to right, lithological log; 3-band
smallest sector by volume, but largest by value, is europium
rare earth-bearing carbonatite from Cummins Range, WA, and showing hyperspectral colour composite of bands at 1400 nm (red), 2208 nm
and terbium, which are used in the production of phosphors the source of selected spectral features (Source: GSWA HyLogger-2). (green), 2345 nm (blue) note how well this rendition equates to the
for televisions and energy efficient light globes. (see: http:// original lithological log; REE band mapping of depth of the 740 nm REE
absorption band; total REE assay in percent.
Results
Figure 3 illustrates a typical set of TSG logs reflecting both
spectral reflectance results and imported lithological and
assay results. The correlation between the spectrally-defined
REE spectral signature and the assays is striking and would
be hard to determine visually, though could be available
were the spectroscopy undertaken soon after drilling.
HyLogging and TSG also offers co-registered high-resolution
core and core tray images (Fig 4) to aid the data
interpretation.

Validation
Cummins Range samples showing REE spectral signatures
were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) by Minerals
Resources Tasmania. The REE minerals identified are from the
bastnsite, monazite, and apatite groups. Figure 5 and Table
1 illustrate a high level of validation of the HyLogger results
by the XRD method for TSA abundances above about 15%,
the normal limit recognised for the automated The Spectral
Assistant (TSA) algorithm. Aspectral refers to spectra with
only smooth (background) spectral shapes in the shortwave
infrared.

Fig 5. Spectral and XRD results for a Cummins Range carbonatite

sample from DD84CDD2 hole at 110 m. The HyLogging system suggested
dolomite, hornblende, and REE; XRD shows Fe-dolomite (>80%), mona-
zite (5-10%), amphibole (<5%), talc (<5%), Mg-calcite (<5%), and
quartz (<5%).

Acknowledgements: AuScope Pty Ltd National Virtual Core Library,

Fig 4. Typical Nolans Bore core tray image annotate with total rare CSIRO, Geological Survey of Western Australia, Northern Territory
earth assay in percent in Plot 1. Geological Survey, Mineral Resources Tasmania XRD Lab.

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