Well Site Digitizing Equipment For Mineral Exploration

Abstract

A large gap exists between the type of equipment in general field use for mineral exploration and the latest state of the art type digitizing equipment. Economic considerations and technical capability of the average logging operator are the two main reasons for this gap. A new generation of digitizing equipment used for digitizing depth and gamma count rate in uranium exploration holes presents the data on printed tape. This is one of the simplest systems available but still requires key punching before the log data is computer compatible. Such systems are used primarily in the development drilling and economic evaluation of ore bodies. Exploratory logging units are seldom equipped with even this simple type of digitizing equipment since the rate of uranium discoveries is quite low and actual usage would be minimal if on all logging units. Highly sophisticated digitizing systems of a laboratory type are being field tested for exploratory logging units engaged in basic mineral prospecting. Such systems analyze and process well log data on-site and identify basic elements. The evaluation of californium-252 as a neutron source for mineral exploration by neutron activation analysis is assisted by the use of such a computer system. Introduction Digitizing of well logs at the well site seems to be lagging behind the previous expectations of people in the industry. There are specific areas where well site digitizing has been widely accepted, such as in uranium logging. Digital techniques and automatic data processing systems offer the only practical solution for handling large volumes of data accumulated. In the evaluation of uranium deposits by the use of well logs, the logs are accumulated rapidly and final results from the processed data must be obtained quickly. Therefore, beginning with simple digital tape printouts and in some cases advancing to punched tapes, printouts and in some cases advancing to punched tapes, uranium logging field units are currently producing most of their data in both analog and digitized form. Field examples are used to demonstrate typical systems in current use. Such systems are relatively inexpensive and require a minimum of skill to operate. Highly sophisticated well site digitizing systems are being used for research purposes and one such system is described. INDUSTRY PRACTICES Evaluation of the economics involved in all phases of the exploration and development of a mineral deposit have always been essential to the planning of a successful venture.