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Found some interesting minerals? Is it just an occurrence, or could it be a prospect worth further exploration? The answer lies in understanding their geological context and the work already done. Let’s unravel the difference.
Occurrence: A mineral occurrence is a natural concentration of a mineral, of no specified tonnage, which is anomalous by some measure. It simply indicates that a particular mineral is present in an area, without any assessment of its economic potential or size. An occurrence may be of scientific or technical interest but does not necessarily imply economic viability (Philip A. Candela, 2007a).
Prospect: A prospect is a step beyond an occurrence. It is a mineral occurrence that has undergone some form of drilling or investigation and suggests further investigation is warranted (Philip A. Candela, 2007b). It represents a specific site where geological, geophysical, or geochemical evidence suggests the potential for economically viable mineral deposits. Prospects are identified through more detailed exploration and analysis, such as mapping, sampling, and geophysical surveys, to evaluate their potential for further development. An effective prospecting program aims to discover the maximum number of mineral deposits while also being cost-effective.
Have you encountered interesting mineral occurrences that later developed into promising prospects? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!
Reference:
Philip A. Candela, (2007). Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, Department of Geology, University of Maryland
