MINERAL EXPLORATION
Adrok ' s Atomic Dielectric Resonance technology was developed by Dr Colin Stove , as an improvement over synthetic aperture radar ( SAR ) and ground penetrating radar ( GPR )
100 MHz where the low frequencies achieve deep penetration whereas the higher frequencies enhance vertical resolution . When rocks of different compositions and textures have been exposed to ADR wave packets , a range of energy and frequency responses are detectable by suitable receivers . The recorded data describe how rocks and minerals , including hydrocarbons , interact with the electromagnetic radiation as it passes through them and pinpoints their composition . The technology measures the dielectric permittivity of the subsurface as well as characterising the nature of the rock types based on analysis of both the spectroscopic and
resonant energy responses .
Adrok states : “ After obtaining subsurface data received by the scan , we positively identify the substances using two methods : spectroscopy ( this turns our wavelength data into a decipherable spectrum ), and dielectrics - where the readings we obtain are compared with our existing table of substance classification ( for example , water has a reading of 80 , whereas air has a reading of 1 ). In addition to classification , the readings can also analyse fluid content and physical characteristic facts – like well logs and rock petrography . We can also map the length and depth of the substance to an unrivalled accuracy . Because our electromagnetic waves reflect AND absorb we can potentially measure its three dimensional shape and capacity as well as an exact position . So – no more guesswork .”
It says high quality mapping is probably the most important advantages to the Adrok scanner . “ The more you know about your resource the more you can effectively extract it . Within the oil and gas and mining sectors , substances can now be quantified before extraction . Our technology can also be used to develop further new reserves as well as monitor existing producing resources .” The Adrok scanner can identify liquids - like hydrocarbons or water , and minerals - like copper and uranium , and the scanner is portable enough to be used in all terrains and transport .
Ivanhoe Electric ’ s exploration Typhoon
Typhoon™ is the brand name for Ivanhoe Electric ’ s proprietary electrical geophysical surveying transmitter , which can detect the presence of sulphide minerals containing copper , nickel , gold and silver ( as well as water and oil ). The technology was developed by its former parent I-Pulse to unlock exploration in areas where potential deposits are hidden by cover , where target depths exceed the range of conventional geophysical surveying systems , or where the scale and topography of an exploration target area prevents efficient and cost-effective conventional surveying .
Typhoon achieves this through its unique specifications , which includes a current output of up to 200 amps and a voltage output of up to 10,000 volts . The transmitter uses switches and capacitance systems which generate a very pure and stable transmitted signal , resulting in an extremely high signal-to-noise ratio . Typhoon is also capable of transmitting both induced polarisation and electromagnetic signals , meaning that the same transmitter can be used to search for a wide variety of mineral deposit types .
Ivanhoe Electric Executive Chairman Robert Friedland , and President and Chief Executive Officer Taylor Melvin , have announced that the company has executed a binding Heads of Terms with Saudi Arabian Mining Company Ma ’ aden . The agreement sets out the binding framework for a strategic investment of $ 126.4 million by Ma ’ aden into the common stock of Ivanhoe Electric , giving it a 9.9 % shareholding ; and the concurrent establishment of a 50 / 50 exploration joint venture in Saudi Arabia .
This agreement was signed at the second Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia , and is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2023 . Ma ’ aden is among the fastest growing mining companies in the world and the largest multi-commodity mining and metals company in the Middle East , with a vision of being a sustainable mining champion with a global presence . Ma ’ aden explores for , and mines , minerals within Saudi Arabia including gold , silver , copper , zinc , phosphate and other industrial minerals and has a market capitalisation of approximately $ 48 billion .
Some $ 60 million of the gross proceeds are to be retained by Ivanhoe Electric for use in advancing its US mineral projects , and for working capital and general corporate purposes . Ma ’ aden obtains the right to appoint one independent director to the Ivanhoe Electric Board of Directors , bringing the company ’ s board size to nine members .
Ivanhoe Electric and Ma ’ aden will establish a new Saudi Arabian exploration Joint Venture which will be owned 50 / 50 and established for an initial term of 5 years . It may be extended up to 10 years upon mutual agreement . Ma ’ aden will make available approximately 48,500 km 2 of land under exploration license or license application within Saudi Arabia for exploration by the JV .
Ivanhoe Electric will contribute approximately $ 66 million to the JV , of which up to $ 13 million will be used to fund the purchase of three new generation Typhoon™ machines which will be owned by the Joint Venture . Prior to the delivery of the new Typhoon units , Ivanhoe Electric will make available an existing Typhoon unit to commence surveying in Saudi Arabia .
Ivanhoe Electric will also provide the JV with a royalty-free license to use Typhoon within Saudi Arabia for the purpose of mineral exploration . The license will remain exclusive to the JV in Saudi Arabia and effective while the JV is continuing . The JV will operate through an equally constituted board of directors and Technical Committee .
The statement said : “ Typhoon was specifically developed to effectively conduct large surveys and identify deep geophysical anomalies in environments that have highly resistive surface conditions , such as those seen in the Arabian Shield . Typhoon is the ideal tool for surveying many parts of Saudi Arabia where the bedrock is hidden by sand and gravel cover that can exceed 1 kilometre in depth – as similarly experienced at Ivanhoe Electric ’ s Santa Cruz project in Arizona , USA .”
Typhoon™ is the brand name for Ivanhoe Electric ’ s proprietary electrical geophysical surveying transmitter
72 International Mining | FEBRUARY 2023