Page 14 - Introduction to Mineral Exploration

Preface to the

Second Edition

Since the first edition was published much has changed in the mineral exploration business. It has
been through one of the sharpest downturns since the 1930s and the industry has become truly glo-
bal, with many mergers and acquisitions of mining and exploration companies. Indeed, conditions
at the time at the time of writing appear to have moved back to boom driven by increasing demand.
We have tried to maintain a balance between principles and case histories, based on our experi-
ence of teaching at senior undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We have attempted to reflect the
changing mineral exploration scene by rewriting the sections on mineral economics (Chapter 1)
and the increased emphasis on public accountability of mineral exploration companies (Chapters
10 and 11), as well as updating the other chapters. One of the major areas of advance has been
the widespread use of information technology in mineral exploration. We have added a chapter
(Chapter 9) dealing with the handling of mineral exploration data. Although we do not advocate
geologists letting their hammers get rusty, the correct compilation of data can help expedite
fieldwork and improve understanding of deposits for feasibility studies.
The case histories are largely the same as the first edition although we have replaced a study
on tin exploration with one on diamond exploration. This details one of the major exploration
successes of the 1990s near Lac de Gras in arctic Canada (Chapter 17).
Another of the trends of the last few years has been the decline in the teaching of mining-related
subjects at universities, particularly in Europe and North America. We hope that the contents of
this book will help to educate the geologists needed to discover the mineral deposits required for
future economic growth, whether or not they are studying at a university.
The two of us have taken over editorship from Tony Evans who has completely retired. We are
both based in western Europe, although we manage to visit other continents when possible, and
one of us was commuting to southern Africa when this edition was completed. Inevitably the
examples we mention are those with which we are familiar and many readers’ favorite areas will be
missing. We trust, however, that the examples are representative.
We owe a debt of thanks to reviewers of the additions: Ivan Reynolds of Rio Tinto for
comments on Chapter 2; Jeremy Gibbs of Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited for his help
with Chapter 6; Peter Fish, John Forkes, and Niall Weatherstone of Rio Tinto Technical Services
for their helpful comments on Chapters 10 and 11; Paul Hayston of Rio Tinto Mining and Explora-
tion Limited for comments on John Milsom’s update of Chapter 7; and Andy Davy of Rio Tinto
Mining and Exploration Limited and Gawen Jenkin of the University of Leicester for comments on
Chapter 17. They are, of course, not responsible for any errors that remain our own. Lisa Barber is
thanked for drawing some of the new figures.
Finally, we would like to thank our families for their forbearance and help. Without them the
compilation of this second edition would not have been possible.

Charlie Moon and Mike Whateley
Leicester and Bristol