This critical first step in the mineral discovery process is where the WMS team has world-leading expertise and a track record of success.
We apply targeting concepts at all scales from the global scale to ore-shoot targeting within deposits, and we do so with a strong foundation in a fundamental understanding of the Mineral System concept. Our expertise can be deployed both in the context of pro-active target generation in new areas and in the review of the remaining potential of more mature areas (for example in due-diligence studies). Importantly, our targeting analysis always occurs in the context of (i) economic frameworks and (ii) an understanding of important strategic concepts such as the Exploration Search Space. At the deposit scale, we have particular expertise in Orogenic Gold, Cu-Au Skarn and Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide systems.
One of our most popular products is the Regional-Scale Metallogenic Framework Analysis (MFA). We apply the most current geological understanding to large areas in order to provide a scientifically-based, strategic underpinning to a regional-scale exploration program. This product is discussed in more detail below.
The MFA is an an important first step in many greenfields targeting programs especially when those programs commence with a large Area of Interest. We are experts at providing this type of large-scale analysis for clients who want our second opinion or who prefer to focus on specific target generation at a much smaller scale.
The MFA occurs at a much broader scale than Camp-Scale or Deposit Scale Targeting, and even at a broader scale than what is sometimes referred to as “Play” generation. The primary MFA goal is to capture the key lithosphere-scale architectural and geodynamic controls on the distribution of mineralization (i.e., the “metallogeny”).
On occasion, the output from an MFA is one or more specific targets, but at a minimum the MFA output provides an essential basis for follow-on province ranking and more detailed targeting.
See the graphic example below, and follow this link to the same graphic in higher resolution
Follow this link to our Short Subject Package video on this MFA topic for a more detailed discussion.
In addition, this link and this link take you to (2024) YouTube videos of Jon Hronsky presentations on topics (Mineral Systems and A Predictive Targeting Model) that are very much related to metallogenic framework analysis.