Posts by LKI Consulting
Spatial Autocorrelation: From Confidence to Quantification in Geochemistry
Spatial autocorrelation is often treated as confirmation in geochemistry, but clustered anomalies do not automatically indicate mineralization. This blog explores how Moran’s I, local spatial association, and variography help distinguish meaningful geological signal from patterns created by background spatial structure.
Read MoreMapping Minerals from Space: How Hyperspectral Satellites Are Changing Exploration
Exploration teams have used satellite imagery for decades to understand regional geology, map alteration systems, and prioritize targets. Until recently, however, satellite remote sensing was limited in its ability to identify specific minerals at the surface. A new generation of hyperspectral satellites is changing that. These systems measure reflected light in hundreds of narrow wavelength…
Read MoreStream Sediment Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration: Fine Fraction, Clay Fraction and Bulk Sampling Explained
Stream sediment geochemistry is one of the most established tools in mineral exploration, providing a practical and powerful tool for targeting mineral deposits across wide terrains. The method involves the collection and analysis of sediments from streams and rivers to identify trace amounts of target and pathfinder elements. By understanding how these elements distribute themselves…
Read MoreWhy Bad Data Breaks Predictive Models: Microscale Textures, Hyperspectral Unmixing, and Mine Profitability
Predictive models now drive high stakes decisions throughout the mining industry. The promise is clear: Enhanced targeting, improved resource estimates and more consistent mine profitability. Yet, many sites find that their models fail after real world deployment. Discrepancies appear between predicted grades and actual results, unexpected processing challenges surface and anticipated profits slip away. Modern…
Read MoreQA Basics: Closing Out Our Lab Series with Quality Assurance Essentials
As we wrap up our series on geochemistry laboratories, we want to take a moment to thank you for following along. Your interest in elevating the standard of geochemical data management inspires us to keep sharing insights that make a difference in exploration and mining. For our final post, we’re focusing on the Quality Assurance…
Read MoreShining a Light on Finishes in Geochemistry
In the world of geochemistry, finishes often take a backseat to more headline-grabbing topics like sample digestion. But finishes are crucial to the accuracy and utility of geochemical data, and it is time they took center stage. Analytical finishes are the final analytical step that determines the concentrations of elements in your sample, and your…
Read MoreUnderstanding Geochemical Digests
Geochemical digests are the backbone of many geochemical analyses, providing critical insights into the composition of rocks, soils, and sediments. Selecting the right digest for your project is essential, as it dictates the elements you can analyze and the interpretability of your data. In this edition we are exploring the more common digests, weak and…
Read MoreThe Essentials of Crushing and Grinding
Crushing and grinding are essential steps when preparing drillcore samples for geochemical analysis. These processes break down the sample into smaller particles or fine powders, making it appropriate to analyze. However, contamination can creep in during these stages, potentially skewing your results. Understanding these risks and knowing what checks to perform can help you maintain…
Read MoreGeochemical Sample Preparation: A Focus on Drill Core Samples
Geochemical sample preparation from drill core is a critical step in the laboratory process, ensuring that the resulting geochemical data are reliable and representative. Here, we outline the general process, considerations, and best practices for drill core sample preparation. 1. Assigning a Unique Sample Code Each sample must be assigned a unique code for tracking…
Read MoreInside Geochemical Laboratories: A Practical Blog Series
Geochemistry is a fundamental part of mineral exploration and mining, providing data essential for decision-making. Behind every data point is a detailed laboratory process. To clarify this process and highlight the work done in geochemical laboratories, LKI Consulting si launching a new blog series. This series will follow a sample’s path—from preparation to final analysis—and…
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