Industry

Title: The future of geophysics education and research at Australian Universities

Presenter: Prof Brett Harris

Date and time: Thursday, July 25 · 1730 AWST

Location: The Shoe Bar and Cafe, 376 - 420 Wellington Street Perth, WA 6050 Australia

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-wa-tech-night-prof-brett-harris-tickets-931765133597

Abstract: 

Australian Universities have come under considerable pressure and must continue to adapt and transform to be both financially viable and meet the needs of society. I invite the geophysics community of Western Australia to engage in an open discussion on future of geophysics research, teaching and learning in the University sector. There will be a particular emphasis on roles of artificial intelligence and evolving technologies like quantum sensors.

Bio:

Brett has a comprehensive industry and research background focused on a technologies for search, delineations and development of subsurface resources. Brett has been Program II leader in Australia’s approximately 145 million dollar 8.5 year Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre (DET CRC). Brett has established a large portfolio of research projects and is author on many research publications in high impact Journals. Prof. Harris supervises several PhD students and coordinates undergraduate subjects including advanced electromagnetism and potential fields, environmental geophysics and seismic interpretation. In summary Brett has the ability to consistently generate quality innovative research solutions from earth science projects that may span geophysics, numerical simulation, hydrogeology, geothermal technologies, mineral exploration, aquifer replenishment, geological sequestration of CO2, well logging and or well field design.

ASEG WA Networking Event: Women in Geoscience

Date and time: Wednesday, June 26 · 5:30pm AWST

Location: The Shoe Bar and Cafe, 376 - 420 Wellington Street Perth, WA 6050 Australia

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-wa-networking-event-women-in-geoscience-tickets-902961952507

Hosting a panel of three emerging industry professional and academia researchers: Natalia Valenzuela, Stephanie Vialle, and Anne Tomlinson; to shed light on their careers in the industry and academia.

NATALIA VALENZUELA

Natalia is a geoscientist with over five years of integrative experience across various geoscience domains. She holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Earth Sciences (Mexico) and a Master’s in Geoscience from the University of Western Australia. Her professional journey commenced with a focus on near-surface geophysical methods. Upon completion of postgraduate studies in Australia, she embarked on a dynamic career path, including seismic interpretation in the oil and gas industry (Internship at Woodside), followed by enriching experiences in the mining sector, where she contributed to exciting copper and gold projects (Resource geoscientist at Rio Tinto-Winu and grad geo at Northern Star- Carouse Dam). In the most recent years, she transitioned to the urban life and ventured into a new industry, joining Datamine as an exploration geology consultant. This year, her journey led to HiSeis, where she have found the ideal fusion of seismic interpretation and mineral exploration, working as a seismic interpreter. This role encapsulates her passion for integrating seismic data with mineral exploration, driving innovation and insights in both fields.

STEPHANIE VIALLE

Stephanie Vialle is a geoscientist, educator and mentor, interested in Earth Sciences in general and in Geochemistry and Rock Physics in particular. She is a unit coordinator and lecturer for several units in the fields of Geophysics and Earth Sciences at Curtin University. Her core area of research is multidisciplinary by nature, and lies in the understanding of how geophysical observables relate to geological features and dynamic processes via the link of geochemistry. She has contributed to and led several government and industry-funded projects on various geological or subsurface-engineered processes, such as aquifer storage and recharge, geological carbon sequestration, and currently, stimulation and storage of hydrogen and mineral exploration.

She has a PhD from the Institut de physique du globe de Paris (IPGP) and Paris Cité University (formerly Paris Diderot University) and did her postdoc at Stanford University before moving to Australia.

ANNE TOMLINSON

Anne’s a dual-qualified geologist and geophysicist with a specialisation in potential fields and interpretation. She completed her studies at the University of Auckland and spent her early graduate years with Newmont in near-mine exploration and mine geology roles at underground gold operations in Queensland and Western Australia. She joined Southern Geoscience in 2005 and after nine years as a Principal Geophysicist, she stepped into the Managing Director role in 2021. Anne is passionate about geoscience and the resources industry and has been actively involved in professional bodies throughout her career. She currently sits on the ASEG’s Education Committee and is part of the CSIRO’s Professionals in Schools program, regularly advocating STEM and geoscience at primary and secondary school levels, especially for girls.

ASEG-WA Sponsors:

Thanks to all our valuable 2023 Sponsors. Invites for 2024 sponsorships have been released. If you are interested in sponsoring, please contact: wapresident@aseg.org.au

Title: A New Integration Approach Led to the Discovery of a New Deep-seated World-classPorphyry Copper Deposit

Presenter: Hojat Shirmard

Date & Time: Jun 19, 2024 @ 1800

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UeuOVLT_STepGirRj7z5rQ#/registration

Abstract: 

The discovery of a new deep-seated world-class porphyry copper deposit named Sereydoun resulted from a distinctive approach to processing, analyzing, and interpreting airborne geophysical data and satellite images in the cluster of Sarcheshmeh copper porphyry mine. This area, which was becoming a tailings dump for the Sarcheshmeh mine, has now become one of Iran's largest porphyry copper deposits after drilling more than 100,000 meters of exploration boreholes, with a reserve of approximately 3.5 billion tons of copper, an average grade of 0.4%, and a cutoff grade of 0.15%. Several porphyry and epithermal copper and gold potential regions were also introduced for further investigation. Following the lithogeochemical survey, interpretation, and integration of the data, the ideal exploratory drilling locations for Sereydoun were determined. The approach used in this study can play a significant role in other places looking for epithermal and deep porphyry copper and gold deposits.

Bio: 

Hojat is a PhD candidate in the EarthByte Group, School of Geosciences, University of Sydney. He holds a MSc degree in Mining Engineering – Mineral Exploration from the University of Tehran. He has experience doing more than 200 mineral exploration projects in different districts of Iran including geophysics, remote sensing, geology, and geochemistry. He has a track record of being involved in discovering a variety of ore deposits through a combination of fieldwork, processing, analysis, integrating a variety of exploration data in industry-based projects. He is now working on “Spatio-temporal Data Mining in Mineral Exploration”. His research has implications regarding developing sustainable mineral exploration in the era of the green energy transition.

Please join the Perth Young Professional Geoscientists and Engineers from the petroleum and mining industries for a light-hearted night of in-person networking and great conversation

Event Details:

Date: Friday, 12th July2023 5:30-8:00pm.
Venue: The Shoe Bar, Yagan Square

There will be a Panel of 3 industry professionals to talk about their careers and answer some of your questions.

Ticket Prices: Free - Please register here for catering purposes by Thursday 11th 5pm

This event is exclusively for Young Professionals and early career professionals (people who have been working in the Oil and Gas or mining industry for less than 10 years). Please come along if you’re a student, graduate or working professional. Meeting your industry peers is a good chance to talk about your different backgrounds, experiences, projects and companies with like-minded people in a very laid back and friendly setting.

Title: NextGen Geoscience Professionals: What is important for their career development

Presenter: A team of young geoscientists from Fender Geophysics.

Date and Time: May 23, 2024 at 1800 AES

Location: Level 2, Club York (99 York St. Sydney. Room: ‘ANZAC’) + Zoom

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iMKDwSunS0qualVCL_0XDg#/registration

Abstract:

NextGen Geoscience Professionals: What is important for their career development

Educating the next generation of geoscientists is a constant discussion in many forums around Australia. However, formal education as part of a degree program is only a partial aspect of career development. Education generally happens under an instructor's guidance and may involve both theory and practice often within a school or university. Whereas training is usually more focused on practical skills and can be provided either in an educational setting or on the job. Mentoring also provides a significant role in career development and is also seen as crucial for bridging generational differences in the workplace.

This talk is going to focus on the importance of community, mentorship, and career development. Or more specifically, the importance of mentorship and how that builds a strong sense of community. To support this vision, we will have some early career geoscience professionals from a range of backgrounds provide insights into why they started careers in the industry and give their feedback on the community as it is now, how they would like to see it in the future, and some of their thoughts on how to reach that goal.

As a special highlight of the evening, we will be presenting the Lindsay Ingall Memorial Award to the family of the late Bob White in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of exploration geophysics.

Title: Application of Geophysics Across the Mining Value Chain – Case Studies

Presenter: Asmita Mahanta

Date and Time: Wednesday, May 29 · 5:30pm AWST

Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/aseg-wa-tech-night-asmita-mahanta-tickets-894131560567

Location: The Shoe Bar and Cafe, 376 - 420 Wellington Street Perth, WA 6050

Bio:

Asmita has +26 years of experience in Exploration and Mining. She started as a Graduate Geophysicist in BHP Minerals Exploration in India in 1997. She worked in various roles across continents in BHP, including Minerals Exploration, Innovation and Western Australian Iron Ore. Her current role is Global Practice Lead Geophysics at BHP Geoscience Centre of Excellence. She holds a master’s degree in applied Geophysics from Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad.

She is very passionate about inclusion & diversity, building Geoscience capability to enable future options, and delivering deposit knowledge to realise our full potential. She has entrenched geophysics in the iron ore value chain from resource definition to grade control to material handling. She has led through several innovations in geoscience, both in greenfield exploration and grade control space, from concept to implementation.

Title: Electrical Methods for Leak Detection: Fluid storage, the nice and the nasty’

Presenter: Liquid Integrity Systems

Location: Thomas Cooper Room, Coopers Alehouse, 316 Pulteney St, Adelaide

Date: Thursday 16th May

Time: 5:30 pm for a 6:00 pm start

Cost: Members & students free, non-members $10, includes finger food & drinks

Overview:

Liquid Integrity System (LIS) have been developing methods for detection of defects in liquid storage sites since being founded in 2012. These sites have varied from potable drinking water sites to acid tailings and everything in between. Drawing on a background in electrical geophysics and a desire to improve leak detection while minimising impact to the client’s operations, LIS has developed equipment for monitoring and surveying a wide variety of sites. Our biggest challenge over these years (like many tech-based business) has been ongoing development and adaption – our clients continuously push us to expand into new detection scenarios. In this talk we will discuss the range of techniques that we have developed, and describe some of the varied settings that we have worked in. There is a lot to talk about and lots of stories that we think most field geophysicists can relate to.

Bio:

Simon Mann | Managing Director

Simon has an honours degree in geophysics as well as an environmental science degree with emphasis on hydrology. His main area of interest is the application of electrical geophysical methods to exploration and environmental problems. With several years’ experience as Managing Geophysicist with Zonge Engineering Australia he has developed experience in technical development, project design and planning as well as business and safety improvement strategies.

Teal Watkins | General Manager

Teal received a Bachelor of Business at Flinders University, specialising in innovation and enterprise and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Teal is a business all-rounder and has several years management experience across multiple industries. He is well-versed in many fields including, logistics, risk, marketing, strategy, workplace health & safety, and human resources. His particular strengths lie in operations and project management.

Agenda for ASEG Annual General Meeting 2024

Meeting Venue & Date: 30 April 2024, XXXX Alehouse 20 Paten St, Milton QLD 4064
Meeting time: 5.30pm (AEST)
Zoom Registration link. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkduyvrj4pGtfXoAxDHMTFGTIsQHlLO1_m
Chairs:  Eric Battig and Janelle Simpson
Guest Speaker: Dr Tim Dean, Specialist Project Geoscientist, AngloAmerican

Documents:

• Agenda
• Audited Accounts
• 2023 AGM Minutes

Workshop Overview:
Gain an understanding of the magnetotelluric (MT) method, including survey design, model resolution, and the pros and cons of different modelling approaches. Learn how to identify and assess key indicators of data and model quality. The workshop is structured around a synthetic MT dataset over a hypothetical porphyry deposit. By interactively working through the data, participants will see the impact of different choices they make about survey design, station spacing and 1D, 2D or 3D modelling on the final results.
Participants will leave the workshop equipped to understand the strengths and limitations of their MT models and to interact more knowledgeably with MT contractors and consultants.

Who should attend:
The workshop is designed for anyone who commissions or works with MT data and models in the exploration workflow, including:

• Geophysicists who work with MT data and models but may not produce the models themselves
• Geologists or other geoscientists who use MT models in their exploration strategy

No existing expertise in MT, mathematics or geophysics is required, but a willingness to work through geophysical data and concepts is assumed. The workshop is interactive and participants will analyse provided data but no special software is needed.

Learning Objectives:

• Conceptually understand the MT method, including how different Earth structures affect MT data
• Learn key QA/QC criteria to assess MT data and models
• Observe the impact of dimensionality and strike on MT model reliability
• Compare resolution of features in 1D probabilistic models, 2D models and 3D models and with different survey designs.

Workshop Facilitator:
The workshop is presented by Dr Kate Selway of Vox Geophysics. Kate is internationally recognised as an expert in MT and spent more than 15 years working in university research and teaching positions, including at the University of Adelaide, Yale, Columbia University, the University of Oslo and Macquarie University. She has modelled and published on MT data she has collected from Australia, East Africa, North America, Greenland and Antarctica. In 2022, Kate founded Vox Geophysics with a goal of helping mineral explorers to maximise the value gained from their MT data.

Date and Time: Monday May 6th, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: In.Studio, 268 Pirie St, Adelaide
Cost: $950 or $850 for ASEG members, GST inclusive.
Numbers limited to 16 people.

Title: Advanced geomodelling to reveal buried deposits

Presenter: Addison Tu

Date and time: Wednesday, 24th April 2024 at 1800 (NSW)

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uVDLEHa8TFOByizyPdGRAQ

Abstract:

Porphyry deposits are of important societal significance as critical sources of copper. 

Copper demands are projected to increase significantly to supply the transition to net-zero, but discoveries have dwindled in recent decades. The finite number of deposits exposed at the surface are nearing depletion, and advancements to exploration techniques must target buried deposits. Here we present a workflow which incorporates machine learning predictions for deposit formation within the crust, with a highly calibrated landscape evolution model to track the vertical motion of deposits through geological time. The results inform where deposits may be preserved and at what depth, or where deposits have been destroyed by erosion. We tested this approach on the mountains of New Guinea, which feature abundant volcanism responsible for deposit formation at depth and extreme erosion to exhume deposits toward the surface. Our approach identified high prospectivity in accordance with the spatial extents of known surface deposits, identified several highly prospective regions for near-surface deposits and where deposits have been destroyed by erosion. Our workflow provides a region-scale prospecting tool to de-risk the economic and environmental cost of field-based exploration. Importantly, the workflow is open-source, scalable to other regions and even adaptable to other mineral systems (with constraints on the depth of formation

Bio:

Addison is a PhD student and Research Assistant within the Earthbyte group, working closely with Dr. Sabin Zahirovic and Dr. Tristan Salles. His research focuses on Eastern Australia, particularly concerning the eastward accretion of microcontinents and volcanic arc-islands since the Cambrian. Geological events in this region and period involve the formation of mountains and the closing of seaways, with many implications for climate, past landscapes and environments, and the formation and preservation of economic deposits.

Addison utilises landscape evolution modelling, tectonic models, and thermochronology with a focus on linking Earth’s surface processes and evolution to other Earth Systems such as the tectonics, climate and the ocean. He also has experience developing landscape evolution models and landform design tools within industry.