Geochemical Survey

Sampling soil, rock or sediment to map metal concentrations across a property.

Definition

The systematic collection and analysis of soil, rock, or water samples to detect anomalous concentrations of target elements. Geochemical surveys help identify areas of mineralization for follow-up drilling.

Why it matters

Geochemistry is cheap relative to drilling and narrows a large land package to a handful of targets. A coherent soil anomaly over a kilometre of strike is a far stronger case for drilling than a single high rock sample.

See also

  • Geophysical Survey The use of physical measurements (magnetic, electromagnetic, gravity, or seismic) to detect subsurface geologi
  • Assay The chemical analysis of rock, soil, or drill core samples to determine the concentration of valuable minerals
  • Strike Length The horizontal distance along which a mineralized zone extends. Greater strike lengths indicate larger potenti
  • Greenfield Exploration Exploration activities conducted in areas with no previous mining or exploration history. Greenfield projects

More operations terms