Advanced exploration and data techniques in the Nubian Shield
The Eritrean portion of the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS) exists as a very prospective and under explored region within a country undergoing significant political easing which is opening up the potential for increased mining investment.
During 2018 SRK Exploration Services (SRK ES) were commissioned by Alpha Exploration to advise and provide an independent review of the Kerkasha early stage exploration licence in Eritrea and the company's 2018 exploration efforts.
Previously owned by Thani – Ashanti, the licence inherited a significant geophysical data layer but with limited ground work and verification. The 2018 field programme concentrated on the collection of a robust geochemical data layer. This was realised through a carefully implemented soil and rock chip sampling programme coupled with rapid and expansive results gained from the use of portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology.
A technical site visit conducted by SRK ES confirmed the licence's prospectivity and position within the stratigraphy and structural framework of the Nubian Shield. Key volcanogenic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) and orogenic/igneous related gold targets were clearly defined, resource potential and exploration strategies were advised, and future work programmes recommended.
The review of this 2018 programme included the assessment of a cutting-edge machine-assisted programme of geological and regolith mapping, data cluster analysis, and maximum entropy prospectivity analysis and project prioritisation conducted by Alpha’s consultants Shawn Hood and Matthew Cracknell of Dynamic Geoscience Solutions and Michael Gazley. These programmes relied heavily on the use of AI tailored for the mining industry through such platforms as R and Python. These utilised the various geophysical, geochemical, and imagery data layers in assessing advanced data clusters to identify mappable units and critical data patterns. This was in turn used to highlight prospective areas with similar data signatures to those of known deposits and mineralisation.
Using this innovative exploration approach, Alpha has de-risked itself and dramatically advanced the Kerkasha licence towards a drill ready situation in a very short exploration timeframe.
