Knowledge Base
Our knowledge base of articles on exploration geology and geological methods is written with the non-professional in mind. Learn the basics of geological exploration, drilling, key commodities and mining. Read about mineral deposit types and important discoveries.
-
Geology Fundamentals: Identifying Igneous Rocks in the Field
Many common ore deposit types are igneous: porphyry copper deposits, pegmatites, and layered mafic intrusions, to name a few. While…
Read More » -
Metal Mining in Peru – The Emergence of a Global Giant?
In recent times, Peru has emerged as one of the key producers of metal ores in the global mining space.…
Read More » -
Carbonatite Rare Earth Elements Deposits
Introduction Carbonatites are a special group of carbonate-rich igneous rocks and the world’s primary source of rare earth elements (REE),…
Read More » -
Great Deposits – Slovakia’s Banská Štiavnica Mining District
Built on the site of an ancient caldera, Banská Štiavnica in Slovakia is home to one of Europe’s great mineral…
Read More » -
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Africa
Artisanal mining is a popular term used to describe to informal mining activities carried out with little or no mining…
Read More » -
Great Deposits: The Atolia District Tungsten Mines, California
The Atolia (or Atolia-Rand) tungsten area, also known as Atolia mining district, is located in the Mojave Desert in western…
Read More » -
Iron-Bearing Wastes – Hazards and Potential Utilization
Metallurgy produces millions of tons of mineral waste each year, with billions of tons already stored worldwide. The production of…
Read More » -
Pegmatites – Our Greatest Source of Gemstones
Pegmatites are the major source of gem-quality minerals throughout the world. They typically host perfectly clear topazes, tourmalines, beryls and…
Read More » -
The Lorraine Mine: Revisiting and Remodeling in Exploration
The Lorraine Mine in southwestern Quebec, Canada produced more than 600,000 tons of ore grading 1.37% Cu, 0.62% Ni, 0.2…
Read More » -
Mineral Resources of Antarctica (It’s only a matter of time)
There has always been heated debate around the subject of Antarctica as a mineral resource. While the exploitation of mineral…
Read More »