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Successful mineral exploration cannot be achieved without using appropriate high-quality geophysical, geochemical techniques, and best surveying, sampling, and drilling practices. However, it has been shown that success rates and cost effectiveness can be improved up to 300% or more by recognising the relationship of prospective source rock volumes to ore localising structures and host rocks. The challenge of developing new resource remains, but understanding the ore forming process makes the task much easier.Interpreting outcrops, logging drill core, selecting material for assay, understanding the successive deposition of ore minerals (paragenetic sequence) and the nature of their distribution in large mineralised zones is relatively simple if the ore forming processes are understood.The use of current physico-chemical principles to define the diagenetic processes by which the rocks and mineral deposits were formed now provide a magnificent opportunity to make teaching of geological sciences attractive to students. Their interest can be captured by providing realistic and logical answers to questions of genesis for all the inorganic structures and textures preserved in the rocks. The need for many conflicting or dubious hypotheses is eliminated, and the teaching of straightforward simpler principles will attract many curious young students to geology courses. Many exciting new avenues are now open for post-graduate research.
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Explanations for geological phenomena such as the occurrence of fossils within granite feldspars and the details of all inorganic structures and textures preserved in the rocks and mineral deposits are straightforward, satisfactory and easy to understand. With the current physical chemistry of small particle systems in use you will find teaching or professional work as a geologist satisfying and rewarding.Most professionals who can retain an impartial and objective view will wonder why geologists generally have not realised that the nature and properties of ancient particle systems could be relevant to the formation of rocks and mineral deposits. Consideration of the static and dynamic interactions between charged particles in these ancient systems and between the particles and the fluids that surrounded them is clearly a simple and logical approach to understanding their origin. Interest in attractive granite facings, bench tops, and in the colourful and decorative stoneware patterns that have intrigued us for years will sharply increase. Details of modern physical chemistry and the geological processes involved can still be left to competent professionals but simple explanations of their origin are now available for school pupils and anyone who is interested.
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