Unlocking Angola’s mining potential

Angola

Malcolm Moreton, regional manager of Expert Geophysics Limited (EGL), talks to The Energy Year about the key technologies the company uses to conduct geophysical surveys for the mining sector, its unique mix of technologies and the attractiveness of Angola for mining investors. Expert Geophysics is a geophysical company specialising in airborne geophysical surveys.

What are the key technologies that Expert Geophysics uses to conduct geophysical surveys for the mining sector?
EGL focuses on electromagnetic mapping methods, providing invaluable mapping data to the exploration industry. EGL’s equipment and techniques have a rich developmental history, distinguishing us from competitors whose equipment has seen minimal upgrades over the decades.
The company offers two primary survey methods: the MobileMT [magnetotellurics] system and the TargetEM [time-domain electromagnetic] system. The TargetEM system maps relatively shallow deposits for commodities such as copper, nickel, lead and zinc at depths less than 500 metres. Complementing this, the MobileMT system maps both good conductors and resistive lithologies at depths up to 2,500 metres, covering large areas rapidly and at low cost. EGL’s technologies outshine competitors by providing superior insights into various exploration targets.

What are the advantages of Expert Geophysics’ mix of technologies?
The MobileMT system, a standout technology for Expert Geophysics, enables the mapping of both resistive and conductive lithologies from the surface to depths of 2,500 metres, which is crucial for the exploration of many types of deposits.
These include porphyry, epithermal and orogenic deposits (hosting copper-gold-silver-molybdenum mineralisation); ferro-manganese and polymetallic deposits; volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits (hosting copper-gold-zinc-silver mineralisation); cobalt-copper-nickel-gold deposits; lithium pegmatite and saline brine deposits; Athabasca basin uranium deposits; and kimberlites.
All these were historically challenging targets for electromagnetic surveys. Our technology allows geologists to gain profound insights into deposit genesis and explore similar occurrences in known mining terrains.
Then, the TargetEM system outperforms its competitors, simultaneously measuring time-domain EM, magnetic, VLF [very low frequency] and AFMAG [audio-frequency magnetic] data.
Historically, using helicopter-borne time-domain EM surveys to search for potential nickel sulphide deposits posed challenges, especially regarding depth penetration and the ability to differentiate superconductors.
Despite decades of exploration and the use of traditional helicopter-borne time-domain EM surveys, many exploration companies have struggled to precisely target potential nickel sulphide deposits. Older-generation helicopter-borne time-domain EM surveys typically only identify variably conductive lineament trends associated with host stratigraphy, metasediments and ultramafics. They define broad zones of high-priority target areas aligned with known mineralised occurrences.
Notably, helicopter-borne time-domain EM surveys have undergone significant advances in the past decade, enabling deeper penetration and improved detection capabilities for superconductors. However, detection in the high-end conductivity range still remains challenging for time-domain systems with controlled primary field sources in off-time EM systems.
A fundamental limitation inherent in all traditional, outdated, helicopter-borne time-domain EM systems is high conductance discrimination. However, this is not a limiting factor for the modern TargetEM system. Arguably the most promising nickel sulphide targets – highly conductive anomalies that were previously undetectable with older-generation helicopter-borne time-domain EM systems – can now be identified using the advanced TargetEM system.
The TargetEM system represents the next evolutionary phase in airborne time-domain EM survey techniques and is ideal for exploring and precisely targeting discrete conductors and for differentiating contrast stratigraphy in the depth range of hundreds of metres.
The integration of modern time-domain EM survey technology with VLF and AFMAG data facilitates a significantly expedited discovery process. This combination enhances the precision of targeting discrete conductors, depth penetration and the ability to detect superconductors.

How attractive is Angola for mining investors?
Angola presents an attractive market for both major and smaller mining companies. The government’s supportive stance and the receptive atmosphere within the community enhances the investment climate. The exploration of diverse and attractive commodities further adds to Angola’s appeal. Additionally, the Angolan government’s investment into the PLANAGEO data set allows explorers to identify areas of interest, making Angola an enticing market for mineral exploration and mining ventures.

What role do you want Expert Geophysics to play in Angola’s growing mining sector?
EGL envisions significant involvement and growth in Angola’s mineral exploration and mining sector. EGL aims to engage with juniors, mid-tiers and majors and collaborate with the government for both regional and targeted MobileMT and TargetEM surveys, which will attract substantial foreign investment into Angola.
As Angola emerges as a vast untapped resource hub, Expert Geophysics aims to play a pivotal role not only in the critical minerals boom but also in the exploration and exploitation of a myriad of other commodities, solidifying its commitment to being an integral part of Angola’s mineral exploration and mining success story.

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