Technology

CAG boasts a highly experienced in-house generative team who use leading-edge knowledge based technologies within all areas of the resource triangle. These include advanced remote sensing, proprietary geo-spatial data processing, 3-D (structural) geological modeling and geographical information systems.

The generative team possesses the following core skills:

• practical knowledge of structural geology and associated mineralisation controls;
• ability to consolidate, rectify and organise geo-spatial data for integrated exploration data studies;
• application of advanced remote sensing techniques unique to CAG;
• ability to programme advanced algorithms into their knowledge based systems that are not available in off-the-shelf systems;
• capability to generate and analyse 3-D geological models, and to use these models in ore reserve and mineral resource estimations (JORC & SAMREC compliant);
• knowledge and ability to investigate environmental issues of concern in exploration studies; and
• commodity experience in gold, diamonds, base metals and industrial minerals.

3-D modeling of Bibiani Mine

The team's use of the above skills and technologies contribute significant strength towards CAG’s exploration programme and provide a “seamless” development process from delineation of new exploration targets, project development and mineral reserve estimation. The team adds tremendous value through the way in which geo-spatial data is handled and processed in order to increase the chances of making discoveries and reducing the risk of lost opportunities.

The team manages an extremely large (digital) geo-spatial library covering Africa and many other areas in the world. The data includes mineral deposit databases, geological, geophysical, geochemical, ASTER (and other) satellite data, high resolution DEM’s and topographical data. The data is proving to be an extremely valuable resource for CAG’s mineral exploration activities and represents a huge, largely untapped resource for the rapid exploration of vast regions of the African continent.

Angola

Eritrea

Mauritania

Examples of ASTER images

However, CAG’s generative team believes that the application of the above technologies and data must always be driven by sound geological theory, experience and valid exploration models in the search for economic deposits of gold. In all exploration studies, integrating data from diverse sources is a key component and the generative team works closely with CAG's field exploration geologists to optimise results in an iterative process.

As a result, CAG’s generative team are able to rapidly turn over potential target areas and narrow down search areas to those containing the most likely, viable, high-value targets for follow-up studies. One of the more significant results using this approach is the huge cost- and time-savings relative to a totally ground-based approach. Re-examination of existing exploration data together with refined exploration models, can lead to better success rates in both greenfield and brownfield exploration programmes.