WorldWide Drilling Resource

USGS Explores New Method for Ranking Global Copper Deposits Adapted from a News Release by the U.S. Geological Survey According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a new approach to ranking global copper resources could result in identifying future supplies while saving both time and money. The technique has been used to evaluate ten areas of the world where undiscovered copper resources in sedimentary rock could be found. An analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to rank areas according to their po- tential for undiscovered copper deposits. Once the main characteristics of each area were compiled (including the age of host rock, geologic setting, stratigraphy, host lithology, deposit subtype(s), known deposits and occurrences, and mineral system components), three criteria were scored. Relative weights and scores were assigned to all criteria by three geologists. In addition, the assessment areas were ranked for comparison exclusively on the basis of professional opinion. The new method takes expert opinions and breaks them into explicit and quantifiable criteria which can be compared and ranked. This approach not only brings a level of transparency, but also, as this latest research demonstrates, is straightforward and robust. Ultimately, the results of the assessment indicate the top three areas in the ranked list are in Namibia and Botswana (Northwest Botswana Rift), Angola (Benguela and Cuanza Basins), and the Middle East (Egypt-Israel-Jordan Rift). The only U.S. area, in Montana (Belt-Purcell Basin), is ranked sixth on the list. “This new approach has the potential to be a real boon in studying mineral deposits,” said USGS scientist Michael Zientek, the study’s lead author. “Not only is it faster and less expensive, it also gives us robust, quantifiable results to help us better direct our focus and resources in studying minerals.” All ten of these areas represent possible future sources of supply. Some currently have no significant mineral production. Montana’s Belt-Purcell Basin has only one operating mine in production. Other areas have been known for some time to have significant copper resources. The Jordan-Israel-Egypt Rift has been mined and was a major source of copper for bronze-age cultures in the region. “Copper is one of the critical and strategic minerals of our economy, making it a perfect choice to test this novel approach on,” said Larry Meinert, program coordinator for the USGS Mineral Resources Program. “Identifying and understanding our domestic mineral wealth is a vital part of ensuring the security of our supply chain for these resources.” WWDR photo of Copper samples from Morenci, Arizona. 38 MAY 2016 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®