Ken Maiden – SMEDG Poet Laureate toasts the Speakers
We’ve had a day that’s sublime
So I won’t take up much of your time
When I’ve finished up here
You can go for a beer
But first let me read you a rhyme
Craig Stegman, Rio Tinto. Near-mine exploration in the Cobar Goldfield – Making use of our greatest Asset.
Craig Stegman first started the session
And his talk made quite an impression
As he said the Peak Shear
Has provided good cheer
Based on a hunch and obsession
Bruce Hooper, Straits Resources. The next Nifty – New strategies for the discovery of further economic deposits in the Paterson Province, WA
Bruce Hooper gave his exposition
On the Nifty mine acquisition
They’ve got a real whopper
All full of copper
But Goosewhacker – that’s the real mission
Angus Collins, Triako. From 14 months reserve life to 7 years production, and still digging – Some good news and lessons from Mineral Hill, NSW
Then Gus Collins on Mineral Hill mine
And he gave us some wisdom divine
A left lateral splay
Would help make your day
Plus a passion for chocolate and wine
Angela Lorrigan, Pasminco (Elura). In the valley of the shadow of administration – Exploring in uncertain times
Angela Lorrigan – well, thank you, Marm
Near-mine exploration, with charm
She delivered a homily
On her favourite anomaly
And finished off with a psalm
Stuart Smith, Rio Tinto. Blurring the boundary between brown & green – Near mine exploration at Northparkes, NSW
Stuart Smith blurred the brown and the green
In a highly challenging scene
Of monzonite stocks
And well-altered rocks
And everything else in between
Allan McGill, MIM. Re-assessing near mine mineral resources – The Hilton example
Allan McGill said, with some remorse
That there’s gaps in the drilling, of course,
Which appear, on inspection,
On the Hilton long section
And could lead to a bigger resource
Iain Mason, University of Sydney. Borehole radar images of faults and potholes in precious metal reefs
It was then Iain Mason and team
Who then presented their scheme
They turned to technology
To help with geology
For mapping the faults in the seam
Neil Phillips, CSIRO. Recent CSIRO developments in geochemical and geophysical instrumentation and techniques for near-mine exploration
Neil Phillips then talked innovation
Of techniques and instrumentation
That’s the CSIRO
Who’ll give it a go
For help with near-mine exploration
Steve Hunt, Lihir Gold. The discovery of structure-confined blind ore extensions to the Ladolam deposits, Lihir, PNG
Steve Hunt then grabbed our attention
When he talked about blind ore extension
And he showed us some maps
Of cone sector collapse
Structure-confined, I heard mention
Dean Fredericksen, Stawell Gold Mines. Still exploring below 1000m but no headframe
Stawell’s one of those mines from on old
They’re working down deep, so we’re told
They’ve got no headframe
But they’re still in the game
And increasing their resource of gold
David Sleigh, Selwyn Mines. Digesting data to put on weight
Dave Sleigh says they’ve found lots of ore
At Selwyn, at Swan and Mount Dore
But I must ask the question
If he’s got indigestion
Why does he come back for more
Rob Taylor & Scott Halley, AurionGold. What a difference a hole makes… the evolution of the Darwin Zone, Henty, Tasmania
Then a story of investigation
Of faith and determination
Great assays, good Lord,
Went straight to the Board
Hence the Darwin Zone mineralisation
Ron Cunneen, Gympie Gold. Mine and near mine exploration – Getting engineers and accountants to find orebodies
And finally there’s Ron Cunneen
With an interesting management scene
And you can intertwine
Exploration and mine
To create an efficient machine
Final
When you’re tracking the ore to its source
Or you want to announce to the bourse
Just take up your drill
And go over the hill
And find there a big new resource
The pressures to succeed never cease
When you’re after that next golden fleece
But you don’t need to panic
Or shift chairs on the Titanic
You can find a new life on lease