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Finding diamonds from up in the sky

13th June 2003

  

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Exploring for diamond-bearing deposits has been compared to looking for a needle in a haystack. Remote-sensing analyst and ground feature detection specialist Geoscientific Mineral Resources uses Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellite images on compact disc to locate diamond-bearing features and kimberlite formations on the earth’s surface.

The company is located in Prince Albert, in the Western Cape.

Director Craig Lubbe says four years ago the company began with the supply of products, such as aerial photography, geological mapping and topographical mapping.

In the last three years Geoscientific Mineral Resources has added numerous products and services to its profile with various degrees of success. Lubbe says the company has achieved great successes with the supply of Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellite images on compact disc and in print format, as well as with the company’s geological and photographic packages. “The sole use of satellite images or aerial photographs to locate diamond-bearing features within an area is a difficult and daunting task that often leads to misinterpretation of the target feature. “It is because of this exact reason that we started with the compilation of our geological packages that incorporate a wide variety of products.

“These packages do not only indicate to the client the exact location of a target feature, for example an alluvial channel or kimberlite pipe, but in our report, with the help of digital aerial photography, we indicate as to where mining and prospecting should be undertaken. “Our geological package is not only user-friendly, but also self-explanatory and cost-effective,” Lubbe says.

He adds that the key element of the company’s work is to show the client where certain alluvial and kimberlite features are located, in order to reduce unnecessary prospecting work. Comparisons are made between satellite images, aerial photography, digital images and orthophotos to assist the company to locate any possible diamond-bearing features on the earth’s surface.

Lubbe says when a mining company starts prospecting work, it is necessary that this is an immediate success, because of the high costs associated with mining and prospecting.

“Following the study of many aerial photographs and satellite images, we have discovered, on numerous occasions, that mining activity has previously taken place right next to certain alluvial and kimberlite features, but was stopped in certain cases as the resource was regarded as not being viable.

“It is a fact that there are many diamond-mining companies and private alluvial diggers that have abandoned areas they have regarded as very poor and not worth their while, and then another mining company takes over the exact same area and makes a success of the operation. “With our geological packages, situations such as this can be prevented,” Lubbe maintains.

“Our Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 satellite images can generally be compared with a very large aerial photo, but far more specialised. “All satellite images that we supply have an area coverage of 185 km by 185 km.

“Our satellite images can be used for a range of functions, such as diamond-mining, general mining, agriculture, district planning and much more,” Lubbe says.

According to him, the company supplies satellite images on compact disc with full loading and operating instructions, which can be used on any computer system. All satellite images are also supplied with two programs, Mapsheets Express and Erdas Viewfinder 2.1, to operate the necessary functions on the satellite images.

Lubbe says 256 bandsetting combinations can be used when working with the images, but the company uses only three settings to locate diamond-bearing features – geological setting, infrared setting and a panchromatic (black-and-white) setting. According to Lubbe, anyone can do the same in the comfort of his own home or office. “Diamond-bearing areas are identified with Landsat 5 or Landsat 7 printed satellite images. “Target features on the earth’s surface are then compiled into file format with a full description of all detected features.

“Our general range of products include 1:50 000 topographical maps, 1:250 000 topocadastral maps, 1:250 000 geological maps, digital maps, all scale aerial photographs, aerial photography on compact disc, digital image prints on compact disc, Landsat 5 satellite images on compact disc, Landsat 7 satellite images on compact disc, printed Landsat 5 satellite images, printed Landsat 7 satellite images, Tanita diamond scales, Mizar diamond testers, diamond bottles, polariscopes, Brunton compasses, Silva Compasses, Sokkia stereoscopes and Garmin ground-positioning systems,“ Lubbe says.

He adds that the company also imports a range of books on diamond-mining from the US and UK.

It also collects old maps, photographs, mine plans, permits, mining applications, documents, books, diaries, newspapers and newspaper clippings that are related to diamonds and diamond-mining anywhere in Africa and Australia, from the mid-1800s.

Edited by Helene Le Roux

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