The value of a detailed Geological Mapping for Discovery in

Exploration
 Publicado el 11 de agosto de 201
Rodrigo Díaz
Senior Consultant Geologist - Focused in the Ore Deposits Discov

To illustrate the importance of an appropriate work program timing to perform a

detailed geological mapping for the understanding of the geological system and
increasing the probability of discovery in Exploration, I would like to share my
experience on a Paleocene-Eocene Cu-Au-Mo Porphyry System at Northern
Chile, which I mapped and sampled in detail several years ago.

This project was a historical district which was negatively evaluated for many
years and after a more detailed mapping (map is not included here),
mineralogical characterization (pervasive, selective, veins/stockworks/breccias
occurrences)-vectoring and a more appropriated geochemical sampling (with
geological control), it later justified a drill campaign which led to discover a
mineralized porphyry system at depth.

The geological mapping and geochemical sampling results were consistent and
later integrated with the Remote Sensing and Geophysics surveys previously to
the definition of the specific targets.

The pictures of the poster below show the simplified zoning of the fracturing-
hydrothermal alteration of the porphyry system from the borders to the center
(distal to proximal):
1. Quartz-tourmaline-limonite/goethite-hematite hydrothermal breccia with
moderated selective-pervasive quartz-clay-sericite hydrothermal alteration
(Argillic-Phyllic) on fragments and metavolcanic wall rock.
2. Quartz hematite-limonite/goethite stockwork with moderated to
strong pervasive quartz-sericite hydrothermal alteration (Phyllic) of metavolcanic
wall rock.
3. Quartz hematite-limonite/goethite hydrothermal breccia with strong pervasive
quartz-sericite hydrothermal alteration (Phyllic) on fragments of metavolcanic
wall rock and moderated to strong Mo anomalies.
4. Slight banding on a leucocratic tonalitic pluton with strong pervasive quartz-
sericite hydrothermal alteration (Phyllic), emplaced at the margin of the intrusive
system.
5. Quartz veins cutting a diorite porphyry with strong selective biotite (after
hornblende) hydrothermal alteration (Potassic), emplaced at the center of the
intrusive system.
6. Magnetite-chalcopytite-pyrite-copper oxides-(Au) veins cutting and associated
to a diorite porphyry with strong selective biotite (after hornblende) hydrothermal
alteration (Potassic), emplaced at the center of the intrusive system.
Best regards and keep doing detailed geological mapping!
Rodrigo Díaz - Senior Consultant Geologist in Economic Geology