470 Granville St. – Suite 822
Vancouver BC, V6C 1V5, Canada

Get in Touch

Exploration Management

We have the people and we have the tools to help our clients worldwide to achieve success.

Project Generation

How can you get access to a Mineral Exploration Project?

Terracad’s vast network of clients and associates in the Mining and Exploration industry provides the unique opportunity to generate new or revive existing exploration projects. We stake and re-stake properties, restore dormant ones, facilitate deals or can assist in setting up partnerships on exploration project. We are always happy to research historical data to help in the decision making process.

We have connected people to work together in one of a kind ventures.

Project Management

Exploration Ventures are fun, but on the road of finding a deposit is long and rocky at times.

Terracad has been successfully working in the industry for almost three decades. Let our experience be your assistant.

Planning:

Every project is unique in history, locality, available data, geological setting, regulatory requirements etc. We assess the situation carefully and set up an exploration program that fits.

Execution:

Over the years Terrcad’s team has created countless relationships with suppliers, skilled staff, government and stakeholders which is applied to run smooth and economical exploration programs.

Post processing:

Once the exploration is done, the work is far from over. Results have to get analysed and assembled in databases. This is followed by further analysis, reporting and mapping according to the requirements. And finally the results in form of a report, including recommendations, will be submitted to you, the government or any other regulatory body.

Anything of the above we can take care of – in its entirety or in parts. Either way, let us help you making your exploration project a venture of a lifetime.

Prospecting & Exploration

Finding a mineral deposit is detective work.

Every Prospector has its own ways to find a project. Today there is rarely a completely newly found area, it is often abandoned or small looking projects in addition to changing market conditions that create a “Prospect”. As an established company in this business our team has assisted Prospectors and Geologists in identifying those. With great attention to every small detail we do our part, like researching, studying any information available and creating databases. Today’s tools and an in-office review can set a good notion of a potential prospect.

Once a prospect has been identified, the area is staked and a reconnaissance trip takes place because no technology can replace putting boots on the ground and taking a good look around.

First property visits are typically characterized by diligent observation of the scenery at hand as it can present a lot of information to Prospectors. Field studies commonly include traversing, some mapping, some sampling of rocks, soils and others. Once it is all analyzed and reviewed, more structured field work is planned. Such as, but not limited to:

  • Grid soil sampling
  • Geophysics (ground or airborne)
  • Further rock sampling
  • Geological mapping
  • Structural analysis

The results of those surveys are carefully compiled, modeled and analyzed. Together they paint a picture to the trained eye. If the conclusion is to continue working, a diamond drill program might follow. Again the results of previously named surveys are consulted to determine the targets.

Drill programs are complex to run, permits have to be obtained, reclamation bonds have to be paid, a camp has to be built, unless there is road access to the target sites. It involves skilled people of different trades, various suppliers, heavy machinery, first aid, logistics, laboratories, data compilation, sections, mapping etc.
Terracad has successfully run all above mentioned programs, some even led to a discovery. You can find further details on the following sites.

Exploration Approach

“As geologists we try to define the objectives of the project and to structure our work efficiently. Geological mapping, research and target definition are vital precursors to success in mineral exploration.” (Erik A. Ostensoe, P.Geo – one of Terracad’s most trusted colleagues)

Our Geologists offer services in most fields of geology:

Economic geology: the study of ore genesis, and the theory and mechanisms of ore creation, geostatistics.

Geophysics: applied geophysics measures and interprets physical properties, such as gravity, seismicity, conductivity, resistivity and magnetic variations to study the earth and its mineral wealth.

Geochemistry: applied geochemistry studies the earth, its chemical makeup and the behaviour of its components, particularly in the near-surface environment.

Geochronology: determination of the ages of rock formations, the relative timing of metamorphic and mineralizing events, and the study of isotope geology specifically related to mineral dating, are often useful in locating and evaluating mineral deposits.

Geomorphology: the study of landforms and the processes that created them facilitates application of geophysical and geochemical data.

Hydrogeology: the study of the origin, occurrence and movement of groundwater in the subsurface is interpreted in terms of clues to geological and mineralogical systems.

Igneous petrology: igneous processes, such as igneous differentiation, fractional crystallization, and intrusive and volcanologic phenomena, are useful in interpretation of natural phenomena.

Metamorphic petrology: expressions of metamorphic events, alteration and mineral transformations are studied to better understand and interpret certain rocks and minerals.

Sedimentology: the study of sedimentary rocks, strata, and formations, and of isostasy and the processes of ancient and more recent erosion and sedimentation.

Structural geology: folds, faults, foliation and rock microstructures are studied to determine the deformational history of rocks and regions.

Looking at the chemical components of the surface and near-surface is quite useful as they are indicators of underlying valuable accumulations of metallic and non-metallic materials. Most commonly soil and rock samples are collected to find out about an area’s geochemistry. It provides signatures from the nearby rock formations that can be interpreted in ore deposit models: some can be ranked as exploration targets for further investigation by trenching or drilling and others can be downgraded or abandoned. Bedrock samples may offer the best indications of valuable mineralization at that very location, whereas metals in soil samples may have been transported from their source.

A relatively newly developed geochemical sampling and analytical technology, called MMI (Mobile Metallic Ion), in soil geochemistry measures the metallic ions that have been transported to the near-surface environment. A simple protocol of sample collection and analysis ensures standardization of data. Terracad has conducted MMI sampling surveys that demonstrated direct correlation of MMI values with mineralization and has prepared graphic plots that superimpose drill core and underground sampling data with MMI data for its clients.

Terracad is actively investigating the application of Enzyme Leach geochemistry and will be conducting comparative soil sample surveys using both EL and MMI. If the results of our research are satisfactory and cost effective, the method will be offered to clients to help in the selection of geochemical methods.

Terracad has special skills in the organization and presentation of geophysical data. We work with several companies that offer airborne geophysical surveys of every type and we arrange ground-based geophysical surveys for our clients. The purpose of the surveys is the identification of geologic environments favourable for discovery of metal deposits and the further refinement of the data to select specific target areas for more intense evaluation.

Terracad can work with raw, semi-processed and processed data to produce a wide range of presentations for both the sophisticated scientist and the layman. In many cases the data is then further evaluated by a specialist geophysicist.

Airborne geophysical data: Terracad specializes in working with the client to determine the most effective airborne survey method: multi-parameter or single measurement, helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft, reviews the project area to ensure optimum survey grid orientation, and negotiates the survey contract on behalf of the client. The resulting data is normally received in raw or semi-processed form and is then reviewed prior to final presentation, referral to a specialist geophysicist, or subjected to further processing using Terracad’s programs. As required, the data are organized to fit the needs of the client’s geophysicist or geophysical consultant.

Gravity data: Terracad works closely with several geophysical contractors that offer gravity surveys and has the capacity to reduce raw field data to useful graphic presentations. Geologists and geophysicists then match gravity data and available geology to determine if further surveys or further data processing will be useful.

Government geology data: Terracad believes strongly in the cost-effectiveness of using all available geophysical and geological information prior to initiation of field studies and is skilled in “mining” the web-based government databases in every jurisdiction.
Terracad compiles available geology, geochemistry and geophysics data along with specific mineral occurrence data (i.e. Minfile) to provide a GIS database that can be used in the field. As new information is received it is variously checked and added to the database. This compilation, followed by interpretation enables identification and prioritization of favourable parts of the project area that can then be further evaluated. Terracad works closely with the client to provide assistance and recommendations to advance the evaluation of the project.