Effective geophysical planning lowers mining costs

Mining companies welcome cost-cutting measures, especially because they spend hundreds of dollars per metre of drilling into the ground.

Some companies, however, commit the mistake of skipping geophysical planning and end up with a larger spending outlay instead.

"Brazilian mining companies are seeing the advantages of geophysical planning," says geologist Caio Libaneo, director and founder of geophysical services specialist Libaneo & Libaneo. "Investigating before drilling can give you critical information. It shouldn't be considered as a cost but as an investment that can actually reduce overall expenses in the future."

Geological research can help companies design their drilling plan by differentiating between soft and hard minerals underground. Geophysical methods can also confirm the size of reserves.

"Companies often commission us to validate what they read in the reports," Libaneo says. "They've come to rely on our findings."

With the latest geological equipment and 15 years of industry experience, Libaneo & Libaneo offers a full suite of geological services including mapping, mineral analysis and evaluation of potential exploration sites.