Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify the important features displayed on a variety of maps (including topographic maps, grid maps, geological maps, geophysical maps, geochemical maps).
• Use maps at a variety of scales.
• Carry out background research into the previous work and mineral potential of an area of interest.
• Operate safely in the field.
• Locate themselves in the field using maps and a compass.
• Prepare an exploration field grid using a compass, hip chain, and GPS.
• Take effective field notes that describe location, rock type, mineralization, structure and sample information.
• Prepare simple field sketches that include topographic features, outcrops, and mineralized zones.
• Recognize common rock-forming and economic minerals, and basic rock types.
• Recognize the difference between 'fresh' unaltered rock, and altered rock in an area of mineralization.
• Develop an understanding of rock alteration and its significance to prospecting and mineralization.
• Prospect rock float in the field.
• Collect mineralized and unmineralized rock samples and describe the samples in a note book.
• Prepare sample assay tags.
• Select the appropriate elements to assay and the assay method for samples sent to a commercial analytical lab.
• Explain the process and significance of different rock sampling methods (grab, chip, channel, high grade).
• Recall the importance of relative geological time (order of events).
• Recall basic geological structures (beds, foliation, faults).
• Perform strike and dip measurements on a variety of planar geological features.
• Map a small mineral showing.
• Map an exploration grid (topographic features, rocks, structure, mineralization).
• Prepare a prospecting/exploration geology/mineralization map.
• Undertake a soil sampling survey and describe the use of such a survey.
• Recall the process and significance of collecting stream sediment samples.
• Undertake a simple geophysical survey (magnetics).
• Interpret the results of exploration data collected in the Fairview project (soils, geophysics, mapping, geology, mineralization).
• Prepare a basic prospecting report on the Fairview project that includes interpretation of exploration data and exploration potential on the property.

Effective as of Spring/Summer 2009