KEGS November Talk
Details of the KEGS talk happening this month.
Title: Advances in open-source 3D inversion of AFMAG data; A case study at the Méquillon deposit in Nunavik, Quebec
Speaker: Stanislawa Hickey - Mira Geoscience
Date: Tuesday Nov 14th at 4:00 PM
Location: University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, Room ES2093 (22 Ursula Franklin Street) and online. Register for the virtual session below:
REGISTER
Abstract:
The Méquillon Deposit is part of the Nunavik Nickel Project, located within the Cape Smith Belt in Nunavik, Quebec and was acquired by Canadian Royalties (CRI) in 2001. Méquillon is a magmatic Ni-Cu-PGM deposit, related to a suite of mafic to ultramafic intrusions that occur throughout the Nunavik Nickel Project, and which have been explored since the 1950s. Méquillon consists of disseminated and net-textured sulfides at the base of a composite, steeply dipping ultramafic intrusive body. The body intruded near strongly conductive pyrrhotite- and graphite-rich argillites within the sedimentary country rock. The combination of disseminated sulfide mineralization, strongly resistive host intrusion, and highly conductive layers within the country rock results in a highly complex EM signature for the deposit.
CRI’s mandate, to find new deposits and extend the limits of existing resources, led to testing new regional exploration tools to overcome some of the challenges posed by a deposit like Méquillon. Mira Geoscience was contracted to establish the feasibility of detecting the deposit within its geological environment with the ZTEM™ (Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetic) airborne system using forward modelling exercise. After a conclusive investigative study, a ZTEM™ test survey was conducted by Geotech in 2021.
Mira Geoscience was then mandated to perform a 3D inversion of the newly collected data to validate that the ore body has a clear signature in the inversion model. The UBC-GIF MTZ3D program was first used to perform the inversion but, due to limitations in model results related to the computational problem’s size with MTZ3D, it was decided to test the open-source Python package SimPEG (Heagy et al, 2017). This presentation will compare these 3D inversion results over the deposit and demonstrate that SimPEG 3D model results improved the characterisation of Méquillon’s signature in a complex geophysical environment.
Bio:
Stanislawa Hickey obtained a MSc in Geophysics, Resources and Environment from Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France. After graduating she moved to Canada to start a career in the mining industry, where she spent her early years gathering experience in the field and in geophysical data acquisition working with Abitibi Geophysics and Frontier Geosciences. In 2010, she joined Mira Geoscience’s consulting team where she now works as a Senior Geophysicist. She is based in Montreal.
Upcoming KEGS talks and events
KEGS is currently looking for speakers for the Spring 2024 meetings. If you are interested to speak at a KEGS monthly talk, please contact any of the Executive.
Upcoming talks and events:
December Events - 5 December: KEGS Foundation Mini-Symposium (1:30pm to 5:00pm, U of T) & KEGS Christmas Party (5:00pm, Duke of York) - Details below
January Talk - 9 January: Jim Craven (Geological Survey of Canada) - A Conservative Approach to Inversion with AI.
February Talk - 13 February: Omid Bagherpour (BHP) - Title TBA.
March Events - 2 March: KEGS PDAC Symposium - Abstract deadline is Friday 1 December, 2023. Further info here.
Find out about more geoscientific events in GTA Geoscience calendar here.
2024 New KEGS Executive Member
Do you want to give back to Canadian Geophysics community? Do you have good ideas on how to grow the community and support geoscience students? Do you have a deep longing to be part of another committee? Well, KEGS has an open slot for a new executive member starting in January 2024.
If you have any interest, and want to find out more about what is involved, please reach out to any of the current executive (contact details below).
KEGS Ottawa
The KEGS Ottawa group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month, usually at the GSC on Booth St. It is also possible to hold the presentations at other venues in Ottawa. We generally follow our presentation by adjourning socially to a nearby local establishment.
KEGS Ottawa November Meeting
Speaker: Calvin Klatt, NRCan
Abstract: The Government of Canada has launched the development of a National Quantum Strategy, with an investment of $360M announced in the 2021 Federal Budget. The strategy is a seven year effort with three identified pillars: Research ($141M), Commercialization ($169M), and Talent ($45M). This strategy looks at the "new Quantum" - the newly developed ability to control single atom states and use this for practical applications.
The stated objectives are as follows:
Amplify Canada's significant strength in quantum research
Grow our quantum-ready technologies, companies and talent
Solidify Canada's global leadership in this area
Quantum technologies can be broken down to three application areas: Quantum Sensing and Metrology Instruments, Quantum Communications, and Quantum Computing. While there are likely several emerging quantum technologies of interest we will look at quantum-enhanced Sensing and Metrology Instruments, notably gravimeters and magnetometers. We will provide (non-technical) summaries of geoscience applications of these instruments and seek input from the Geophysics community on actions we might take as a community to support the National Quantum Strategy and reap scientific benefits from the introduction of these instruments.
Bio: Dr. Calvin Klatt is the Director of the Canadian Geodetic Survey and Chief Geodesist of the Government of Canada. As such, Calvin is one of Canada’s leaders in the areas of Positioning and Earth Sciences. The work of the Geodetic Survey is integrated into a wide range of scientific efforts and involves collaboration with a very wide range of stakeholders. Calvin is Canada’s representative to the United Nations Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) Subcommittee on Geodesy and serves on the Subcommittee’s leadership Bureau. Previously Calvin has held positions as Assistant Chief Scientist of the Earth Sciences Sector (Natural Resources Canada), Program Manager for Natural Hazards (Earthquake, Space Weather, Landslide, Tsunami, Volcano), and Director of the NRCan Chief Scientist’s Office. Calvin has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Engineering Physics (Radio Astronomy), and a Doctorate in Space Science/Astronomy. He is an avid amateur astronomer and has made significant volunteer contributions to Canada’s national mountaineering organization, the Alpine Club of Canada.
When: Monday, November 20, 4:30 pm
Where: at the GSC, Harrison Hall, Room, Room 177, 601 Booth St, Ottawa
Please note: In order to enter Harrison Hall, you will have to show some Canadian id: a passport, permanent resident card, driver license, or health card. If you are a foreign student and have a residency visa, that should work too. Send me an email if you are not Canadian and have some questions about whether your id will work. The reason for this extra complication is that Harrison Hall is inside the controlled area. Checking everyone's id documents might take time - please try to get on site with some time to spare for the extra security procedure.
Upcoming KEGS Ottawa Presentations:
Monday, December 18: Marc Vallee, Geodata Solutions, “Electromagnetic sphere in a layered earth model: theory and applications”
Monday, January 15: Taylor Tracy Kyryliuk, uOttawa, “The Aquarius Ocean Bottom Seismometer"
Monday, February 19: Chris Galley, uOttawa, “Satellite-derived gravity data: from ocean wide bathymetric mapping to crustal scale modelling"
Monday, March 18: Dennis Gamble, Notra Inc.,"UXO case history: From initial site assessment of the former Utopia, NB army base (370 km2) using a mineral exploration approach to develop an Unexploded Ordnance Site Model (SUM)".
Monday, April 21: Bob Grasty, GammaBob, “Experience building a worldwide network of calibration pads for ground and airborne gamma ray surveying"
Please contact Luise Sander, SGL, luise@sgl.com, (613) 521 9626 for:
any upcoming KEGS Ottawa presentations
if you know anyone who might be interested in presenting to our KEGS Ottawa group
if you know anyone who should be included on the KEGS Ottawa email group
if you are on the KEGS email group and would like to unsubscribe from it
KEGS PDAC Symposium 2024
Mark your calendars - KEGS is excited to announce the return of the annual Symposium to be held the Saturday preceding the 2024 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention in Toronto, Canada. The event is planned to be held in person on March 2nd, 2024.
Further information and abstract submissions at the KEGS website.
SEG Mining and Mineral Exploration Committee
Special Sessions (SS) and Post-Convention Workshops (PCW) are an integral and crucial part of the Annual Meeting Technical Program. SEG is now asking for proposals to be prepared and submitted.
For the Mining and Mineral Exploration Committee, please send an email of interest to Sarah Devriese and Dan Hollis by Wednesday November 15th and full proposals will be due to us by Monday December 4th. This gives us some time to review and edit before submitting to SEG.
For Special Session proposals, please provide title, sufficient synopsis, keywords, key contact name and email, tentative list of invited speakers. Note that Special Sessions are sessions exclusively for invited speakers.
For Post-Convention Workshop proposals, please provide title, sufficient synopsis (why, what, format), key contact name and email, duration (full day or ½ day). Please be reminded that PCWs are expected to cover different topics (or with different emphasis) from the regular technical program sessions.
Any questions, please reach out to Sarah (sarah.gr.devriese@gmail.com) and Dan (dan@telephysical.com)
KEGS Foundation Update
1. In August/September, the KEGS Foundation circulated three announcements describing the 2023/24 scholarship awards to 28 students studying at thirteen universities across Canada, comprising nine undergraduate, ten M.Sc. and nine Ph.D. students. A record amount of $50,100 was awarded. As always, donations are encouraged so that we can continue to increase the scholarship awards in the coming years, and support student participation in conferences and workshops.
2. Scholarship awards are scheduled to be presented by Foundation directors and colleagues at:
CIM Mineral Resources Review, St. John’s, November 2
Women in Mining event at CCMEC, Winnipeg, November 6
KEGS Meeting, Toronto, November 14
KEGS Ottawa Meeting, November 20
Fondation KEGS 5 à 7, Québec City, November 22, details and registration below.
Stay tuned for additional announcements regarding presentations in Vancouver, Edmonton, Windsor, London, Sudbury, Kingston and Montréal.
3. The KEGS Foundation is pleased to announce the Inaugural Jerry Roth Student Symposium
Date: Tuesday, December 5th
Time: 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: University of Toronto, Earth Science Building, Room #2093 at Huron and Russell.
Cost: Students - Free, Professionals - Donations appreciated. Donations above $25 will receive a charitable donation receipt.
The KEGS Foundation would like to invite you to attend the inaugural symposium in honour of our late Chairman, Jerry Roth, who passed away in February 2023. Jerry was a champion of students and supported them through the formation of the KEGS Foundation, and awarding scholarships, but also by encouraging their participation in academic conferences, professional society presentations and general networking. Please join us on the afternoon of December 5th for student talks and networking. Let’s honour Jerry’s memory by encouraging the next generation of students in geophysics.
The Foundation is seeking sponsorship to subsidize student travel costs and coffee breaks.
All attendees are strongly encouraged to register and attend the KEGS Xmas party immediately following the event.
4. Students and faculty are reminded that the deadline to apply for a CSEG Foundation Scholarship, offered by the Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, is November 1. More details and online application available here: https://cseg.ca/foundation/scholarships/
5. La fondation KEGS et ses fières partenaires invitent la communauté géoscientifique au 5 à 7 de la Fondation KEGS le 22 novembre prochain. Cette activité nous permettra de souligner les bourses d'excellence de la fondation KEGS remise aux étudiants québécois.
Quand: Le 22 novembre à partir de 17h00
Où: Le Ninkasi Bar & Bistro (811 Rue Saint-Jean, Québec, QC, G1R 1R2)
Pour participer: Inscription gratuite sur eventbrite (voir le code QR ci-dessous)
L'événement est commandité par la fondation du KEGS, Géostack, Géophysique GPR, Abitibi Géophysique et Instrumentation GDD.
On vous y attend en grand nombre pour célébrer la relève en géophysique
