Some of our reviews:
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Dr Alan GuestAlan Guest Technical Consulting cc
Formerly Group Consultant (Geotechnical), De Beers Family of Companies |
After spending time at the rig, waiting for the core to arrive on surface, then to see it coming out of the splits and painstakingly aligned so a reference could be scribed, then to physically measure each natural break in the “rat trap” goniometer, noting the Alpha, Beta and depth for each feature, I wonder how many a young geologist has thought “there must be a better way” ?
Well now there is and one can be grateful for the passion that has driven the development of this system.
The ability to image the core as soon as it has been taken from the hole, aligned and the reference line marked, goes a long way in eliminating errors. From that point on the process is then handled on the computer, allowing more time for cross checking.
As one starts to utilize the system one will soon realize the importance it has not only on simplifying the data acquisition, but also from an audit perspective. In the past, to audit this process was not only very tedious, but sometimes virtually impossible to identify and verify the actual measured features particularly with “new” fractures being introduced as the core became older.
Having retired from De Beers after 28 years of service, where I had been the Group Consultant - Geotechnical for the De Beers Family of Companies responsible for all their operations worldwide, I can unreservedly recommend that for anyone about to commence a structural / geotechnical drilling program and who is serious about the results, StereoCore PhotoLog must be part of the toolbox.
The ability to image the core as soon as it has been taken from the hole, aligned and the reference line marked, goes a long way in eliminating errors. From that point on the process is then handled on the computer, allowing more time for cross checking.
As one starts to utilize the system one will soon realize the importance it has not only on simplifying the data acquisition, but also from an audit perspective. In the past, to audit this process was not only very tedious, but sometimes virtually impossible to identify and verify the actual measured features particularly with “new” fractures being introduced as the core became older.
Having retired from De Beers after 28 years of service, where I had been the Group Consultant - Geotechnical for the De Beers Family of Companies responsible for all their operations worldwide, I can unreservedly recommend that for anyone about to commence a structural / geotechnical drilling program and who is serious about the results, StereoCore PhotoLog must be part of the toolbox.
Tony Leach
Director/Rock Engineer at Latona Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Tony Leach
Director/Rock Engineer at Latona Consulting (Pty) Ltd
Over the past several years I have made use of StereoCore PhotoLog to provide geotechnical logging data from drilled core on a number of mining projects, including manganese and chromitite in South Africa, copper in the DRC, and a massive silver-gold deposit in South America.
Originally giving core measurements and structural orientations, the programme has expanded to permit capturing of any and all geological and geotechnical logging data using any descriptors that a user may require and specify. Photo calibration has also advanced from requiring a specialized frame to being able to use the corners of a core box of known dimensions as points of reference.
I have found the program to have a number of very specific advantages over conventional hand-measured core logging:
Overall I have found StereoCore to be reliable and accurate, easy and quick to use, and provides a digital logging record second to none. I would strongly recommend it as a standard tool for all geotechnical core logging projects.
Originally giving core measurements and structural orientations, the programme has expanded to permit capturing of any and all geological and geotechnical logging data using any descriptors that a user may require and specify. Photo calibration has also advanced from requiring a specialized frame to being able to use the corners of a core box of known dimensions as points of reference.
I have found the program to have a number of very specific advantages over conventional hand-measured core logging:
- Firstly there is a substantial time saving when it comes to taking measurements – this is achieved with a few clicks whilst sitting at a desk with a laptop, as opposed to lengthy measuring and writing in often uncomfortable logging conditions.
- Secondly, it is less prone to measurement errors that may creep in during manual logging – and I have used it as a means of checking on other persons' traditional hand logging in several cases when it has identified manual measurement errors and missed features.
- Thirdly it provides a permanent and readily auditable record of logging, and the photographs and program results can be returned to in the future, if required, to check on the logging that was done. By comparison, with manual logging the only way to check is to relog the original core, which is sometimes impossible when this core may go for assay or metallurgical test work.
Overall I have found StereoCore to be reliable and accurate, easy and quick to use, and provides a digital logging record second to none. I would strongly recommend it as a standard tool for all geotechnical core logging projects.
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The StereoCore PhotoLog system was used extensively during the geotechnical investigations for a very large, deep, base metal deposit, to provide a high-quality, reliable set of structural data. The system was fully integrated into the routine geotechnical logging process, and enabled structure orientation data collected from photographs of orientated core to be entered directly into the project database. The system’s internal data processing and validation routines also helped ensure high reliability of the data. Using this system substantially improved logging productivity, and also provided an invaluable method both for off-site auditing of the structure orientation data, and for collecting additional data from un-logged holes after the core had been sampled.
Wayne Barnett
Principal Structural Geologist
SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc.
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Any company investing in a mining project must be comfortable with the quality of the geological data being used to make engineering decisions. Ensuring such quality throughout the life of drilling programs located in diverse environments and cultures around the world is a challenge. StereoCore PhotoLog fills a gap in the software market by providing a robust system for capturing and quality controlling drill hole geological and geotechnical data. Quality control can never be completely automated, but this system applies data collection protocols through the use of technology that not only speeds up time-consuming processes, but also ensures that the basics are done correctly.
I am a geologist with many year's experience in the industry. Experience that includes time on operations logging core, managing logging projects, and consulting to operations on data capture and data QA/QC. I am very pleased to see that the StereoCore system does make (i) the entire process faster, and (ii) ensure the quality of structural and geotechnical data. Dr Orpen has the commitment and experience to make the system work for any particular operation if needed. I recommend that all projects strongly consider the StereoCore PhotoLog system. |
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Structural geologists constructing 3D geological models in complex structural settings necessarily rely on high-quality geotechnical and macrostructural data. On Venetia and Jwaneng Mines, data sets generated by StereoCore PhotoLog were pivotal in development of their fully-constrained, 3D country rock models, which are used for geotechnical design and mine planning. In our experience and where properly used, StereoCore PhotoLog generates data that is invariably accurate and of high-quality.
Regarding Assurance review of Jwaneng Resource Evaluation Project (JREP):
16th July 2018
To whom this may concern:
Beginning in 2012 John Orpen has provided drill core and structural assurance to the Jwaneng Resource Extension Phase 2 project, Jwaneng mine, Debswana. The work was comprised of several visits to the Jwaneng mine site where the project drilling operations and the core logging was taking place. The drilling methodologies and core handling procedures, in which the structural information, borehole path and core depth registration was concerned, were thoroughly reviewed.
Dr. Orpen carried out the field work at the drill sites and in the project core logging facility. He interacted well with the field staff and provided progress updates at the end of each visit in the form of a presentation to the project team. He would then provide a report detailing the items that were highlighted in his findings where data did not appear valid or did not fit the rules that were essential to ensuring a correct and accurate database.
Dr. Orpen stressed the importance of data critical to the integrity of the information and was passionate to highlight basic procedures that must be adhered to during data collection activities while at the drill rigs and in the core shed. An innovation that John used to carry out the data reviews was to use his StereoCore Software package to capture structures and logging information digitally and to utilize this to enhance the assurance work. The project team found this to be a good visual reference without having to pull out several core trays on a continuous basis.
In summary the assurance work that Dr. Orpen did, provided important value to the project where having correct and accurate information is critical. He also provided experienced advice and recommendations for the project team to utilize in the current and future drill projects going forward.
Yours truly,
Todd McKinlay
Evaluation Project Manager,
Jwaneng Mine
(Since moved to Advanced Exploration Manager, De Beers Canada)
To whom this may concern:
Beginning in 2012 John Orpen has provided drill core and structural assurance to the Jwaneng Resource Extension Phase 2 project, Jwaneng mine, Debswana. The work was comprised of several visits to the Jwaneng mine site where the project drilling operations and the core logging was taking place. The drilling methodologies and core handling procedures, in which the structural information, borehole path and core depth registration was concerned, were thoroughly reviewed.
Dr. Orpen carried out the field work at the drill sites and in the project core logging facility. He interacted well with the field staff and provided progress updates at the end of each visit in the form of a presentation to the project team. He would then provide a report detailing the items that were highlighted in his findings where data did not appear valid or did not fit the rules that were essential to ensuring a correct and accurate database.
Dr. Orpen stressed the importance of data critical to the integrity of the information and was passionate to highlight basic procedures that must be adhered to during data collection activities while at the drill rigs and in the core shed. An innovation that John used to carry out the data reviews was to use his StereoCore Software package to capture structures and logging information digitally and to utilize this to enhance the assurance work. The project team found this to be a good visual reference without having to pull out several core trays on a continuous basis.
In summary the assurance work that Dr. Orpen did, provided important value to the project where having correct and accurate information is critical. He also provided experienced advice and recommendations for the project team to utilize in the current and future drill projects going forward.
Yours truly,
Todd McKinlay
Evaluation Project Manager,
Jwaneng Mine
(Since moved to Advanced Exploration Manager, De Beers Canada)