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Mineral exploration is the process undertaken by companies, partnerships or corporations in the endeavor
of finding commercially viable concentrations of ore to mine. Mineral exploration is a much more intensive,
organized and professional form of mineral prospecting and, though it may at times use the methods of hobby
prospecting, the process of mineral exploration is much more involved.
AREA SELECTION
Area selection is a crucial step in professional mineral exploration. Selection of the best, most prospective
area in a mineral field, geological region or terrain will assist in making it not only possible to find ore
deposits, but to find them easily, cheaply and quickly.
Area selection is based on applying the theories behind ore genesis, the knowledge of known ore occurrences
and the method of their formation, to known geological regions via the study of geological maps, to determine
potential areas where the particular class of ore deposit being sought may exist.
SELECTION PROCESS
This process applies the disciplines of basin modeling, structural geology, petrology and a host
of geophysical and geochemical disciplines to make predictions and draw parallels between the known ore deposits
and their physical form and the unknown potential of finding a 'look-alike' within the area selected.
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