Owner
Post by Franko10 ™ on Oct 14, 2004 11:33:50 GMT -5
From: Ken E Witherly
Subject: [SEGMIN]: But what can it do?
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 05:19:40 -0800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues:
As the new BHP technology has become know to us, many of course have asked 'can it deliver?'. While we can't expect to hear much of what goes on internally within BHP as to the use of the technology, when they deal with juniors, such as below, some hint of how and where the technology is being used can be surmised.
The piece notes that from a survey over the Ekati ground itself, five Falcon targets were tested and two were confirmed as kimberlites. No information about role of ancillary magnetic or EM data is provided. However, to date, something over 125 kimberlites have been found on the Ekati property, primarily using magnetic and EM data for targeting.
With respect to the Falcon flying for the junior, it is stated they continue to also use many other (traditional) sources of data to establish targets; topo, heavy minerals, mag and EM and good old "trendology".
While limited, the information suggests strongly that Falcon is being used to incrementally reduce the risk in establishing targets rather than being seen as a 'first strike tool, i.e. producing such compelling results that much of the traditional exploration process can be passed over. This being the case, then the direct and indirect costs of such a tool has to be looked at closely.
Based on information that has appeared elsewhere, BHP states as acquisition cost for Falcon of ~US$60 lkm (or $15/station since they as well state they measure data at about a 250 sample interval). This is about airborne EM comes in at, so is not out of line. However, BHP's right to a 51% interest certainly looks like you've invited the proverbial 800 lb gorilla to dinner...
Hopefully we'll hear more of how this story unfolds after the up coming winter drill season.
Regards
Ken Witherly
------------------------------------------------------------
[This article is from InfoMine web service, January 9, 2001]
BHP DIAMONDS INC, DHK RESOURCES LTD and KETTLE RIVER RESOURCES LTD
DHK Resources Ltd and Kettle River Resources have identified a total of 22 geophysical targets on their Lac de Gras properties, in the Northwest Territories, utilizing the Falcon gravity gradiometer developed by BHP Diamonds. The targets are interpreted to be kimberlite pipes and/or dykes, and have been prioritized. Three high priority targets have been selected based on the size and intensity of the anomalies, as well as coincident indicator mineral anomalies.
Property: LAC DE GRAS (DHK / WI / WO BLOCKS)
(Complete Text of Jan 08, 2001 News Release)PDF
DHK Diamonds Inc., a private company incorporated under the laws of the Northwest Territories, equally owned by Dentonia Resources, Horseshoe Gold Mining and Kettle River Resources, advises that on Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, BHP Diamonds Inc. released the results of the Falcon gravity gradiometer survey carried out over the WI and DHK blocks (approximately 70,000 acres) in August and September, 2000, to the joint venture partners DHK Resources Ltd., Archon Minerals Ltd. and SouthernEra Resources Ltd. The boundaries of the WI and DHK block straddle Lac de Gras and are adjacent to the southern edge of the Ekati diamond mine Buffer zone.
BHP's proprietary airborne Falcon gravity gradiometer technology is designed to detect density contrasts in the bedrock. Kimberlites of sufficient size and density contrast with the surrounding bedrock (especially pyroclastic or crater facies kimberlite) are detectable with this technology. The system was deployed during summer 2000 over the Ekati diamond mine property. Two Falcon gravity targets, out of five tested, were confirmed as kimberlite pipes. In addition and concurrently with the WI and DHK block Falcon gravity gradiometer survey, BHP carried out its own magnetic survey and also reinterpreted earlier geophysical data made available by Kennecott.
The results of surveys can be summarized as follows. A total of 22 targets have been identified as possible kimberlite pipes or dikes within the boundaries of the WI and DHK blocks. The targets have been prioritized on the basis of size and intensity of the gravity anomalies, topographic expression and the presence of collaborative indicator mineral abundances and/or coincident electromagnetic and magnetic anomalies. Of the 22 targets, three No. 1 priority and six No. 2 priority type targets were identified within the boundaries of the WI and DHK blocks. All three No. 1 priority targets are located on the DHK block. The WI and DHK blocks appear to be along the southwestern, northeastern trend on which most of Ekati's commercial diamond pipes are located. Under the terms of agreements in effect, BHP can earn a 51-per-cent working interest in each of the WI and DHK blocks by conducting a 200-tonne bulk test, at its cost, on the Falcon discoveries of its choice, on each block. Archon will maintain a 10-per-cent working interest by testing the first five Falcon targets, while DHK and SouthernEra will maintain their respective interest of 29.25 per cent and 9.75 per cent, by contributing after the first five Falcon targets are tested.
Subject: [SEGMIN]: But what can it do?
Date: Tue, 09 Jan 2001 05:19:40 -0800
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues:
As the new BHP technology has become know to us, many of course have asked 'can it deliver?'. While we can't expect to hear much of what goes on internally within BHP as to the use of the technology, when they deal with juniors, such as below, some hint of how and where the technology is being used can be surmised.
The piece notes that from a survey over the Ekati ground itself, five Falcon targets were tested and two were confirmed as kimberlites. No information about role of ancillary magnetic or EM data is provided. However, to date, something over 125 kimberlites have been found on the Ekati property, primarily using magnetic and EM data for targeting.
With respect to the Falcon flying for the junior, it is stated they continue to also use many other (traditional) sources of data to establish targets; topo, heavy minerals, mag and EM and good old "trendology".
While limited, the information suggests strongly that Falcon is being used to incrementally reduce the risk in establishing targets rather than being seen as a 'first strike tool, i.e. producing such compelling results that much of the traditional exploration process can be passed over. This being the case, then the direct and indirect costs of such a tool has to be looked at closely.
Based on information that has appeared elsewhere, BHP states as acquisition cost for Falcon of ~US$60 lkm (or $15/station since they as well state they measure data at about a 250 sample interval). This is about airborne EM comes in at, so is not out of line. However, BHP's right to a 51% interest certainly looks like you've invited the proverbial 800 lb gorilla to dinner...
Hopefully we'll hear more of how this story unfolds after the up coming winter drill season.
Regards
Ken Witherly
------------------------------------------------------------
[This article is from InfoMine web service, January 9, 2001]
BHP DIAMONDS INC, DHK RESOURCES LTD and KETTLE RIVER RESOURCES LTD
DHK Resources Ltd and Kettle River Resources have identified a total of 22 geophysical targets on their Lac de Gras properties, in the Northwest Territories, utilizing the Falcon gravity gradiometer developed by BHP Diamonds. The targets are interpreted to be kimberlite pipes and/or dykes, and have been prioritized. Three high priority targets have been selected based on the size and intensity of the anomalies, as well as coincident indicator mineral anomalies.
Property: LAC DE GRAS (DHK / WI / WO BLOCKS)
(Complete Text of Jan 08, 2001 News Release)PDF
DHK Diamonds Inc., a private company incorporated under the laws of the Northwest Territories, equally owned by Dentonia Resources, Horseshoe Gold Mining and Kettle River Resources, advises that on Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, BHP Diamonds Inc. released the results of the Falcon gravity gradiometer survey carried out over the WI and DHK blocks (approximately 70,000 acres) in August and September, 2000, to the joint venture partners DHK Resources Ltd., Archon Minerals Ltd. and SouthernEra Resources Ltd. The boundaries of the WI and DHK block straddle Lac de Gras and are adjacent to the southern edge of the Ekati diamond mine Buffer zone.
BHP's proprietary airborne Falcon gravity gradiometer technology is designed to detect density contrasts in the bedrock. Kimberlites of sufficient size and density contrast with the surrounding bedrock (especially pyroclastic or crater facies kimberlite) are detectable with this technology. The system was deployed during summer 2000 over the Ekati diamond mine property. Two Falcon gravity targets, out of five tested, were confirmed as kimberlite pipes. In addition and concurrently with the WI and DHK block Falcon gravity gradiometer survey, BHP carried out its own magnetic survey and also reinterpreted earlier geophysical data made available by Kennecott.
The results of surveys can be summarized as follows. A total of 22 targets have been identified as possible kimberlite pipes or dikes within the boundaries of the WI and DHK blocks. The targets have been prioritized on the basis of size and intensity of the gravity anomalies, topographic expression and the presence of collaborative indicator mineral abundances and/or coincident electromagnetic and magnetic anomalies. Of the 22 targets, three No. 1 priority and six No. 2 priority type targets were identified within the boundaries of the WI and DHK blocks. All three No. 1 priority targets are located on the DHK block. The WI and DHK blocks appear to be along the southwestern, northeastern trend on which most of Ekati's commercial diamond pipes are located. Under the terms of agreements in effect, BHP can earn a 51-per-cent working interest in each of the WI and DHK blocks by conducting a 200-tonne bulk test, at its cost, on the Falcon discoveries of its choice, on each block. Archon will maintain a 10-per-cent working interest by testing the first five Falcon targets, while DHK and SouthernEra will maintain their respective interest of 29.25 per cent and 9.75 per cent, by contributing after the first five Falcon targets are tested.
