MARCH 2022 | EXPLORATION TRENDS & DEVELOPMENTS

EXPLORATION TRENDS & DEVELOPMENTS

is an annual publication prepared by Patrick G. Killeen 9759 Highway 509 Ompah, ON Canada K0H 2J0 Phone: (613) 479-2478 E-mail: pkilleen@xplornet.ca

Published in co-operation with The Northern Miner 225 Duncan Mill Rd. Ste 320 Toronto, ON M3B 3K9 Phone: (416) 510-6789 E-mail: tnm@northernminer.com

Editor: Trish Saywell Writer: Patrick G. Killeen Art Director: Barbara Burrows Production Manager: Jessica Jubb Advertising Sales: Joe Crofts Robert Hertzman Michael Winter Publisher: Anthony Vaccaro Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may only be reproduced with the written consent of Patrick G. Killeen.

Cover photo: Geotech’s ZTEM system on survey in Peruvian Andes. Credit: Geotech

MINERAL EXPLORATION TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN 2021

By Patrick G. Killeen Ph.D., Geophysical Consultant and retired Research Scientist, Geological Survey of Canada, Ottawa 2021

This is the sixth year that Decennial Mineral Exploration Conferences (DMEC) has served as the patron for Exploration Trends & Developments. DMEC organized the very successful Exploration ‘17 conference, held in Toronto in 2017, the sixth in the series of conferences which began in 1967. This year DMEC support came from the sponsoring companies listed on pages 14 and 15. The ETD review originated with the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), where for more than 50 years GSC scientists prepared an unbiased annual publication on trends and new developments in geophysical exploration for minerals. This marks the 30th year that Patrick Killeen has written the review, originally as a GSC research scientist.

The Canadian Exploration Geophysical Society (KEGS) was the patron of ETD between 2007 and 2016. DMEC and KEGS are committed to the promotion of geophysics, especially as it is applied to the exploration for minerals other than oil; to fostering the scientific interests of geophysicists; and to promoting high professional standards, fellowship and co-operation among persons interested in this industry.

CONTENTS

4 EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY IN 2021:

THE REBOUND — ARE WE THERE YET?

5 CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS 8 AIRBORNE GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYING

Airborne Data Acquisition & Processing Aeromagnetic Surveying Airborne Electromagnetic Surveying Airborne Gamma-ray Spectrometric Surveying Airborne Gravity Surveying

19 GROUND SURVEY TECHNIQUES

Physical Rock Properties and Elemental Analysis Ground Data Acquisition and Processing Drillhole Methods Ground Electromagnetic Methods Induced Polarization Ground Magnetic Surveying Magnetotelluric