| Popis: |
Mineral exploration methods ranging from boulder tracing to elemental and indicator mineral methods utilize clastic debris transported from mineralized bedrock sources. An understanding of glacial process and history, combined with sound survey design and interpretation, are essential to successful application of these methods in glacial terrain. In North America and Fennoscandia, mineral exploration and glacial geology advanced concurrently in the latter 20th century, coincident with a shift in exploration to verburdencovered regions. During this time, an understanding of sediment transport history was followed by recognition of the textural and mineralogical tendencies of glacial sediments. Development of logistics such as reverse circulation and rotasonic drilling followed, and in the 1990s, the discovery of diamonds in Canada resulted in much progress in application and awareness of drift prospecting methods. The discipline now centres on intricate indicator mineral and elemental methods based on concepts from glacial geology, mineral deposit geology, and mineral chemistry, in the search for a broad range of commodities. |
