Structural Economic Geology Delivers Best Drilling Designs

Q: What problems does structural economic geology solve?

A: The field of Structural Economic Geology applies a merger of concepts derived from Structural Geology and Economic Geology fields. It is a combined branch of geosciences that provides the framework that empowers geologists to best investigate and explore the shape, orientation and grade distribution of mineral targets or deposits while transitioning from comprehensive data acquisition into knowledge. This process leads to improved drilling design and results. An offspring of structural economic geology, target architecture modeling allows a better understanding of the surrounding regional framework, providing a solid basis for regional exploration.

Frequently, exploration companies miss the extension of mineral bodies as a result of an incomplete understanding of their targets or deposits – with structural economic geology tools and methods we provide a more substantial 3D context to best dissect their mineral bodies. Our main goal is to deliver to our clients an improved drilling design, avoiding the undesirable effects of unwarranted drilling.

Q: How does the company use vectors to provide value for clients?

A: Vectors have a strict definition, combining direction, magnitude and sense. In structural geology, it can be derived into a notation that allows us to be more effective in targeting. Most structural features can be described as a plane or a line (lineation). In our experience, lineation is by far the most relevant geometrical primitive controlling mineral bodies. Although not all lineations are true vectors in its strict sense, the ones that aren’t can be described as having direction, magnitude represented as unit vector, and sense directed down – a vector.

Within this context, we investigate the assemblage of structural features present in the mineral body under evaluation, and we segment them into two main groups: mineralization-related structural features, which are directly associated to the metals of interest, and structural features unrelated to the formation or modification of a mineral body. The spatial orientation of mineralization-related structural features – the mineralization vectors – can be used as geometrical indicators of grade continuity, and in some instances, as extensions of mineral bodies. We call this process Structural Vectoring®, and it links mineralization vectors with drilling design and mineral body geometry. Therefore, Structural Vectoring provides the basis for an improved drilling design and mineral discovery.

Q: Do you develop your tools yourself?

A: Yes, by combining the concepts of structural geology and economic geology we have designed an innovation-driven R&D portfolio. Our tools are engineered to facilitate the acquisition, processing, and analysis of structural data within the mineral exploration space. For instance, our just-released software – the Ore.node® – was particularly designed to improve and optimize general and structural core logging. Its innovative user interface and embedded workflows allow for the geologist and technician a more immersive experience while providing real-time processing, user interaction and visualization in 3D while logging at the core shack.

We develop new approaches to solve unique challenges by designing new methods or new modules. Because our software, and embedded methodology, are an in-house development, we can quickly customize it to fit industry needs.

Vektore is a structural economic geology consultancy firm committed to exploration and production companies. It provides technology, training and added value to those seeking the most efficient drilling geometry to uncover mineral bodies.