BRGM Mineral Prospectivity Conference

On 25^th October at 9:00 a.m., Dr Andreas Barth from Beak Consultants GmbH will give a keynote lecture about “Mineral predictive mapping – from intuition to quantitative hybrid 3D modelling”. For many years, mineral predictive mapping was guided by intuition and knowledge based approaches using maps and exploration models. Agricola already created significant foundations in the 16^th century with his work "De re metallica libri XII". Raw materials were explored and found based on knowledge and intuition.

The development of affordable computers, together with the broad availability of various data sets provided the base for development of various computer based mineral predictive mapping technologies. The availability of easy to use software products (e.g. Beak`s advangeo^® Prediction Software) will enhance the introduction of these technologies into daily practical work making them available to normal GIS users and 3D modellers.

Mineral potential maps are important value-added products compared to simple datasets. They provide new knowledge and ideas to both private and public bodies, which usually do not have the capabilities for this type of research.

In addition, Andreas Brosig from Beak will present a poster about “Mineral predictive mapping in 2D, 2.5D and 3D using Artificial Neural Networks – Case study of Sn and W deposits in the Erzgebirge, Germany” in cooperation with theSaxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology (Sächsisches Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie , LfULG). The central Erzgebirge is well known for its tin and tungsten deposits. A combination of knowledge and data driven approaches was used to create qualitative and quantitative prediction maps for both vein-hosted and skarn-hosted Sn and W deposits. The advangeo^® Prediction Software uses artificial neural networks (ANN) to create 2D, 2.5D and 3D predictive models for these and other commodities.

More information about the conference can be found on the website and in the programme.