Proven Tips for Copper Exploration

The old mining techniques have been almost replaced with today’s heavy-duty mechanical cutting equipment. The identification of many undiscovered deposits, owing to incomplete knowledge of their scattering in the earth’s crust, depends majorly on geologic availability and man’s insight. However, once discovered, the mining of copper and other minerals depends on economic, geologic, and technological factors. 

Best Tips for Copper Exploration

Here are a few proven tips that will hopefully quench your thirst for copper exploration. 

The Appraisal of Copper Resources

The estimation of copper resources is an important factor to consider for mining copper. It results in approximations, new geologic knowledge & theories indicating new areas desirable for exploration, and subject to constant change as identified deposits are depleted, new deposits are formed, new exploring technology and uses are developed. 

Tools for Copper Exploration and Mineral Identification

The largest and most profitable copper mines are large-scale porphyry deposits. Collective Mining is rapidly heading towards large-scale copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry exploration targets in Columbia. Other types of copper deposits are iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) ore deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits (VMS), and copper skarn deposits. 

NIR spectroscopy is a well-suited tool for mineral identification and geologists looking for minable copper deposits can use spectrometers and EZ-ID mineral identification software. It is beneficial for explorers as it quickly takes a lot of samples, provides accurate data, is less expensive, and requires less drilling. 

Best Ways to Mine Copper

You cannot perform the task effectively if you don’t know how to mine copper. Seismic surveys are extensively used geophysical methods for studying the ground conditions to a large depth and over a large region. Copper minerals and ores are distributed widely in both igneous and sedimentary rocks. Exploration can be carried out using one of two methods: Underground & Open-pit mining. The former one is expensive and is generally limited to high-grade ores. 

Stages of the Mining Life Cycles

A copper explorer must be aware of the process and steps that are involved in the exploration. There are five basic steps in every mineral exploration such as exploration, mine-site design & planning, construction, production, and closure and reclamation. These mining projects are really complex and consist of various interconnected projects that are operating simultaneously to deliver pure gold, silver, coal, and iron ore. Collective Mining provides the service in mining and metallurgy and is headed by the team that made the Buriticá Project achievable.

Copper Extraction Period

You must know how long it will take to produce copper and its lifespan. Mining is a temporary activity and the exploring companies must devise their plans on how to close their operations before starting it.  The average extraction period or lifespan for copper is estimated to be between 5 to 70 years. 

Conclusion

The beginning of any mining project starts with the mineral exploration stage where the actual magic happens. Every exploration project has its requirements and needs but generally, all explorers follow the same general process and need the same tips for mine development. In search of mineral deposits, the companies and geologists must understand the characteristics of land, ways to mine copper, stages of the mining life cycles, technology, and the closure period of extraction.