Contents
Geoscience, or perhaps better known as earth science, is the field of natural science dealing with the four spheres of planet Earth. It is the scientific foundation for exploring ore deposits and mineral exploration, which is at the center of any mining project. This article outlines what geosciences are and how they impact mining operations.
What are geosciences?
Geosciences are the studies of the Earth, including the natural world (i.e., oceans and rivers) and living things (i.e., animals and plants), and how humans interact with these different worlds and spheres.
Geoscience is linked to biological, chemical, and physical sciences. It studies the processes that shape the Earth’s surface, the natural resources we consume, and how ecosystems are connected and intertwined.
The four spheres of planet Earth
Biosphere
The biosphere is the study of living things, also known as the study of ecology. It is focused on how living things, from animals and plants to humans, interact and are in a close, interdependent relationship with each other. Perhaps most importantly, studies of the biosphere are honed in on how human activity impacts and even strains the global ecological system.
List of biosphere sciences
- Ecology
- Paleontology
There are also other studies within the biosphere; those listed above are only a selection of sub-studies.
Hydrosphere, also known as the cryosphere
The hydrosphere is the study of oceans (oceanography), freshwater (hydrology), and lakes and rivers (limnology). Geoscientists are interested in the movement, distribution, quality, and interaction of water in all forms, from gas and solid to liquid.
List of hydrosphere sciences
- Hydrology
- Oceanography
There are also other studies within the hydrosphere; those listed above are only a selection of sub-studies.
Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the study of weather (meteorology), of climate and long-term weather patterns (climatology), and of the upper atmosphere (aeronomy). Those who study the atmosphere deploy instruments, models, and observations to predict changes in the outer gaseous layer of the Earth. This includes short- and long-term changes, from weather changes to climate changes.
List of atmosphere sciences
- Geography, including meteorology and climatology
There are also other studies within the atmosphere; those listed above are only a selection of sub-studies.
Geosphere, also known as the lithosphere
The geosphere or the lithosphere is the study of rocks and makes up many of the core studies of geoscience. These studies examine the structures, formations, compositions, and processes of solid Earth, from rocks to minerals and ore deposits. There are many specialized branches, such as those listed below, which provide a comprehensive understanding of the Earth’s features and resources.
List of geosphere sciences
- Geology
- Geochemistry
- Geophysics
There are also other studies within the geosphere; those listed above are only a selection of sub-studies.
We will delve into the study of the geosphere in the next paragraph.
Geology – the study of the geosphere
Geochemistry
Everything that surrounds us is chemistry, and the Earth is no exception. Geochemistry is the study of the Earth’s chemical composition and processes, which is critical to understand if we want to get a grasp of how all geological formations have come into existence. This is valuable insight we can use to predict how they will change or break down over time.
Geophysics
In geophysics, researchers use the principles of physics to study the Earth’s physical composition and processes. Geophysical methods often employ the use of sensors that measure seismic waves, magnetism, gravity and so on, in order to better observe and understand the composition of Earth’s crust and the processes happening inside it. These methods are for example critical for modern resource exploration.
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of minerals. Minerals have a definite chemical composition and are naturally occurring on Earth. They are the building block of every rock that has ever been formed. One cannot understand rocks without understanding the minerals which form them. Through mineralogy, scientists not only get a better knowledge of the rocks which can be found all over our universe, but also about the minerals themselves which can be extracted from ore and used in human society.
Applying geoscience through economic geology
Economic geology is another subdiscipline of geoscience, and it is concerned with how to use earth minerals for economic and industrial purposes. In many ways, economic geology is the application of geology (Lindgren, 1933). This is applied by exploiting ore deposits and exploring mineral resources. Geologists are in charge of facilitating these operations, closely supported by engineers and environmental scientists.
At Aziwell, we have a long tradition of utilizing expert insight to guide our mining projects. For example, in our drilling project in Mexico, we did comprehensive studies of the challenging landscape, both for the success of the project and for the considerations to the local habitat.
The importance of understanding geosciences in mining
The core objective of mining is to explore, extract, and utilize mineral resources, for which we depend upon geosciences to inform us about. This makes geoscientific processes a helpful and necessary backdrop to any mining activity. Geosciences study the various geological processes and examine how human activity impacts on the environment.
Said differently, if we want to continue to see technological advances or better developments in clean energy, we must continue to apply geosciences when we are discovering, extracting, and managing mineral resources.
Economic geological techniques necessary to understand ore deposits
In mining, techniques with a subset in geochemistry, mineralogy, or geophysics are deployed to plan and manage projects. They are applied from start to finish: from the exploration phase to the extraction phase.
Exploring ore and minerals
The first step in ore exploration is geological mapping, which helps to pinpoint rock formations that are known to host ores. Geologists examine surface rock types, structures, and mineral occurrences, with the hope of identifying signs that mineral deposits exist.
For below-surface mapping of potential minerals, geologists use geophysical surveys like magnetic and gravity surveys, seismic methods, and electrical resistivity and induced polarization. You can read more about these processes in our article on ore mining.
Evaluating ores
In mining, we are doing exploratory drilling to extract samples that provide the information we need to decide whether or not we should mine in this area. In evaluating ores, we take samples of underground rock and analyze them in laboratories to determine metal content, deposit depth, and rock type.
Carrying out mining operations
In collaboration with engineers, mining geologists create a plan for carrying out the mining operations. This entails having a defined action for extracting the ore, which includes deciding on the correct mining methods. The two most common methods are open-pit mining and underground mining.
Managing environmental and local considerations
The environmental impact of mining projects is a vital part of carrying out the operation. This includes designing systems for waste management and general monitoring. This is an essential step for minimizing the environmental impact of the mining activities, which geoscientific expertise facilitates.
Summary
A successful mining project is dependent upon a strong scientific foundation. This foundation is laid by geologists and specialists within geosciences, which cover scientific branches across four main spheres; biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and geosphere. The latter especially, is of key importance to a well-planned and well-executed mining project. It will guide the initial exploratory phases to the mapping and planning of the actual drilling operations.
Use advanced borehole steering technology when mining
Aziwell is a leading provider of directional drilling solutions and offers service, rental, and software products for directional drilling. At the heart of this is our advanced borehole steering technology, which reduces environmental footprint through fewer drill pads, less operational time, and reduced CO₂ emissions. Our borehole steering is precise, does not require special rods or rigs, and has no depth limitations.
Sources:
- Lindgren, W., 1933. Mineral Deposits. 930 pp. McGraw-Hill, New York.
