◎ Zhang Yongqin
In the new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic action, we must first consider the location of prospecting. One is a known place to go, and the other is an uncertain place to go. The known place is the area where the mine has been found, and the uncertain place is the "blind spot" where the prospecting work has not been done. Where to find it is the first step to achieve results in a new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic actions.
Although there is no shortcut to geological prospecting, existing and mature geological theories, prospecting theories and prospecting methods can be used to find ore in the area where the ore has been discovered and the periphery or lower part of the old mining area. We should fully rely on the grassroots geological exploration units engaged in geological and mineral exploration to implement the word "find". Because they are most familiar with the places to be prospected, they know best the distribution characteristics of mineral resources, geological structure, mineral types and work levels, as well as information about prospecting. In addition, geological prospecting research institutions and professional colleges and universities have some mature prospecting and geological theories. Therefore, the location and direction of prospecting should be led by the grassroots geological exploration unit, and the assistance of scientific research institutions and professional colleges and universities should be determined.
Mature prospecting theory and working methods are the primary technical means to implement breakthroughs. In the process of promoting prospecting breakthroughs, the first task is to determine whether there are mines, which requires geologists to choose the first technical methods that can effectively and quickly determine whether there are mines. In recent years, the "short offset transient electromagnetic method" proposed by mainland experts has been able to more effectively solve the systematic problems of identification, processing and solution of shallow and high-precision geophysical exploration at less than 2000 meters, and provide a new technical means for a new round of strategic action of prospecting breakthrough. Secondly, it focuses on the theory of the genesis, stratigraphic structure and structure of the mine.
Drilling technology is the ultimate technical means to determine whether a breakthrough in prospecting has been made. Drilling technology should be self-improving in the new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic actions, improving quality and efficiency. Quality improvement is to provide all kinds of necessary underground information and physical samples that fully meet the requirements of geological work, so that geologists can be accurate and efficient in the evaluation of mineral resources. Efficiency is to further improve drilling efficiency, reduce construction costs, shorten drilling construction time, so as to speed up the progress of mineral resources evaluation conclusions.
The new round of prospecting breakthrough strategic actions should focus on comprehensive prospecting thinking and concepts, invest part of the energy to collect and summarize all the data in all aspects of prospecting work, and provide reserve information and basis for the overall planning of prospecting in the future. At the same time, according to the characteristics of the ore species to be found, different genetic explanations and new theories are explored.
There is a word in the field of geological prospecting that professionals are familiar with - risk exploration. Arguably, prospecting is one of the riskiest industries. Enterprises must consider the input-output ratio when investing in geological prospecting. Therefore, it is recommended that the basic work of prospecting in the early stage, that is, the delineation of prospecting blocks or target areas, be started and implemented by the national overall funding, and then start the market capital operation, so that enterprises can feel that the risk is not so big and see a certain hope. In addition, the government should provide support in terms of policy management, such as the transfer of prospecting rights and priority mining.
Regarding the relationship between prospecting and exploration and environmental protection, it is suggested that the government should unify and coordinate to at least ensure that the construction unit can enter and exit the construction site normally. The construction unit should adopt various advanced environmental protection technologies as much as possible in accordance with the requirements, and at the same time do a good job in environmental restoration and waste disposal after the completion of the construction task as required, so as to minimize the impact and damage to the environment and ecology.
With regard to the budget for prospecting funds, it is suggested that the relevant competent departments should keep pace with the times and no longer follow the cost accounting standards of many years ago when calculating the costs of geological prospecting and exploration. With the development and progress of various exploration technologies and equipment, the construction efficiency is also continuously improving, which provides technical support for reducing construction costs.
Regarding the lack of professional and technical personnel and skilled technicians, it is suggested that the relevant departments should reconsider the unit cost of geological prospecting and drilling, especially the salary of field construction personnel.
This article was originally published in the first edition of China Mining News on January 10