Technical consulting service for mineral exploration

Take SRK Mining Consulting Company as an example. SRK is a global mining consulting company, which conducts mining consulting business in 60 countries, including China. The company has 500 technical experts. There are 22 offices on five continents. Consulting business, including mineral exploration, mine construction and production, mine environmental management, water supply, etc. Taking mineral exploration as an example, the team of technical experts includes geologists, geochemists and mineral exploration management experts. The minerals consulted include precious metals, base metals, diamonds, coal and industrial minerals. This kind of company is especially good at comprehensive data interpretation, including selecting target area, determining ore body grid, aeromagnetic, aerial survey, comprehensive interpretation of gravity and seismic data, grade control, reserve calculation model and so on. The clients range from primary exploration companies to large mining companies. The company's independent geological report enjoys a global reputation in the securities market and banking industry. The company has a strong research and development force, and provides practical training and teaching materials to improve the professional level of exploration geologists. The company's publication "SRK News" introduces all the projects of the company, with photos of exploration geologists who have completed the projects. As a partnership consulting company, the responsibility of consulting is personal. For example, the latest issue of SRK News introduces J.Windh's comprehensive geological interpretation of Lina copper mine resource estimation in Chile, J.Arthur's resource estimation of Sefwi gold mine project in Ghana, M.Michaud's resource model of Jericho diamond in northern Canada, and M.Etheridge's professional training course on mineral exploration in Africa.

Primary exploration companies have few professional technicians and incomplete specialties, and some technical work, even the implementation of exploration projects and the management of exploration camps, may be entrusted to technical consulting companies. Other internationally renowned mineral exploration consulting companies include WGM Geological Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd. (Watts, Griffis&McOuat), AcaHowe International Ltd and Cargol Geological Consulting Ltd, which have entered China and are gradually occupying the geological exploration consulting market.

China now has a professional geological exploration consulting company. For example, 200 1, Chengdu Yi Kuang Mining Consulting Co., Ltd., a limited liability company funded by several geologists. The company's business includes: assisting in obtaining the qualification of project approval and operation, the declaration and registration of mining rights after the completion of the project, and the cancellation and cancellation; Provide efficient project management, operation and logistics support; Undertake geological, geochemical, geophysical and drilling tasks, and assist in implementation or consulting services; Provide field geological exploration, laboratory analysis, report writing and real-time translation (including language translation during negotiation, field investigation and travel) that meet international standards; Provide consultation on domestic mining regulations and environmental protection policies, provide consulting services on China deposit database and geographic information system, and collect geological and mineral information; Provide human resources services, including external training (training to meet the needs of foreign mining companies), as well as candidate screening and interview.

Second, independent exploration geologists

1. the role of independent exploration geologists in commercial mineral exploration

Independent exploration geologist (qualified person-QP, consultant), as well as domestic registered geologist, qualified person, geological consulting expert, competent geologist and mining consultant. The author thinks that free translation as an independent exploration geologist is closer to the essence, which is easy for China people to understand and not easy to produce ambiguity, so this book adopts the formulation of independent exploration geologist.

Independent exploration geologists are mineral exploration experts with professional qualifications registered by trade associations. It is generally operated as a partner. In commercial mineral exploration, it is an intermediary between fundraisers and investors and an indispensable part of financing and operation of commercial mineral exploration.

Independent exploration geologists must be independent when practicing. The so-called "independence", that is, independence or independence, means that in addition to the remuneration and expenditure due to technical services, there can be no cash or equity in the mineral projects evaluated by it, no matter now or in the future; Independent exploration geologists can't have any interest relationship with the company or the holders of mineral projects, in case the evaluation results are biased; An independent exploration geologist is not independent if his income is linked to the evaluation results. Securities regulatory commissions and stock exchanges all over the world have made very strict definitions and regulations on this.

At present, the risk exploration funds of minerals are mainly obtained through the listing of first-class exploration companies. Independent exploration geologists play the role of market intermediary in commercial mineral exploration. The evaluation of mineral exploration projects by independent exploration geologists is a key factor in project financing of listed companies.

First-class exploration companies should go public to raise funds for risk exploration, select reputable securities brokerage companies, evaluate first-class exploration companies, recommend listing operations, and use their extensive sales channels to underwrite securities. On behalf of the original mineral exploration company, the securities brokerage company prepares the prospectus, which includes the composition of the company, the description of the minerals to be explored and the prospect, the investment background, the financing direction and risks, the company's capital structure, the company's financial situation, etc. The most important one is the report of independent exploration geologists.

The report of independent exploration geologists must first evaluate the exploration project before it can be listed. The core problem is the prospecting potential of the exploration right contained in the project, that is, the possible value of the exploration right, that is, what the author calls "gambling stone", and the reliability of the geological data of the project. It is by no means to evaluate how much exploration investment the project has spent in the past, but to evaluate the possible value of exploration rights with the so-called replacement cost method. Secondly, the independent exploration geologist should review the first exploration plan put forward by the primary exploration company, evaluate whether the exploration plan and budget are reasonable, and evaluate the possibility of achieving the goal of the first exploration plan. Not only should there be a prospecting area with attractive prospecting potential, but also an advanced and reasonable exploration scheme that can attract investment interest in order to raise funds for mineral exploration.

In a word, the securities brokerage company should allocate funds according to the evaluation results of independent exploration geologists and the analysis of exploration risks. The evaluation report signed by independent exploration geologists is the key factor to raise funds for exploration projects.

Independent exploration geologists should participate in monitoring the operation of risk exploration funds. After a primary exploration company goes public, it must regularly or irregularly announce the prospecting information that affects the company's share price to investors, and the information must be true. In order to ensure the symmetry and truth of the information, the report should be compiled by independent exploration geologists to prevent misleading investors. Mineral exploration is similar to the development of high-tech projects, which is very professional and misleading investors will bring serious consequences.

Financial institutions such as stock exchanges and investment banks also invite independent exploration geologists to participate in project supervision and control risks.

2. Characteristics of independent exploration geologists

Taking DMBW as an example, this paper introduces the organization, operation and management characteristics of independent exploration geologists.

(1) Partner system for independent exploration geologists. Similar to law firms and accounting firms, independent exploration geologists often form partnerships to carry out business activities. DMBW Office is the abbreviation of the names of four founders: Derry, Michener, Booth and Wahl. At present, there are eight independent exploration geologists in partnership, four associate partners and four key employees. DMBW has two offices in Toronto, Canada and Denver, USA.

(2) The services of independent exploration geologists are comprehensive. First, serve mining companies, including large mining companies and primary exploration companies. DMBW manages risk exploration projects for junior exploration companies with insufficient human resources. The second is to serve banks, investment banks, private financial institutions and individuals, mainly to evaluate the potential and value of exploration rights for financing, investment, mergers and acquisitions, mutual equity participation and purchase of mineral rights. Third, provide consulting services for the government and institutions. For example, DMBW undertook the consulting work on the prospecting scheme of micro-disseminated gold deposits in the former General Bureau of Geological Exploration of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry of China.

(3) Independent exploration geologists emphasize work experience, comprehensive knowledge and international work experience. First, emphasize work experience. For example, the Australian Mining and Metallurgy Association (SME) requires independent exploration of geological furniture with more than 5 years of practical work experience in the subject area. When applying for registration as an independent exploration geologist, the applicant must provide the projects he has done. The introduction manual of DMBW focuses on the work experience of each partner. For example, Dr. I.Parrish, who works in China, has conducted 36 mineral exploration project evaluations since 1977. Parry Heezen said that independent exploration geologists should sleep in hammocks and live in tents. It means that you must have real field work experience. Independent exploration geologists should go to the mineral exploration site to work on the spot, check the prospecting projects, re-sample and judge the value of mining rights and the authenticity of existing geological data. Independent exploration geologists will never pass the general knowledge examination. They are field geologists, not theoretical geologists. Independent exploration geologist is a qualified field mineral exploration geologist with knowledge, experience and physical quality, which is a professional qualification. Independent exploration geologists are not geological scientists, geological researchers, professors of geology and managers of mineral exploration management institutions. It can be said that independent exploration geologists are very different from geological survey and research geologists in universities. When establishing the system of independent exploration geologist or registered geologist in China, we should grasp this point well. Second, emphasize comprehensive knowledge. Independent exploration geologists should have knowledge of mining, mineral processing, pre-feasibility study, finance and securities besides their professional knowledge and experience in mineral exploration. It would be better if you have special skills, such as sampling and grade control, which are very important for a mining project. Third, emphasize international work experience. Mining globalization and international financing for mineral exploration require independent exploration geologists to have international work experience. In the DMBW office, 32 national flags were planted, indicating that they have raised funds and consulted for risk exploration geological projects in 32 countries. Parrich himself has engaged in uranium, gold, tungsten, lead and zinc exploration projects in the United States, Canada, India, China and Fiji.

(4) Independent exploration geologists attach importance to professional ethics. Independent exploration geologists must be responsible for the authenticity of geological data, and their signed reports have legal effect, and they should also bear legal responsibility. Because mineral exploration is very professional in the exploration of underground unknown things, the description of the prospect of exploration rights will affect the rise and fall of the share price of the first-class exploration company. Once the professional ethics of an independent exploration geologist has problems, his evaluation will mislead investors, bring chaos to the commercial mineral exploration market, and even bring disastrous consequences. Bre-X Company's evaluation of the Busang gold mine project in Indonesia is the most well-known example.

(5) The management of independent exploration geologists is similar to that of freelancers like lawyers. The higher the reputation of independent exploration geologists, the higher the trust of their geological evaluation reports in the commercial mineral exploration market, and their conclusions will be conducive to promoting project financing. Correspondingly, their evaluation and consultation costs are also higher. If an independent exploration geologist's evaluation of the potential of an exploration area, that is, the evaluation of the value of mineral rights, deviates from reality repeatedly, he will lose the market. Independent exploration geology makes a negative conclusion to the exploration area, which does not affect their reputation. Even if a negative evaluation report is made, the primary exploration company still has to pay. The evaluation fee is related to the reputation of the independent exploration geologist, that is, to his market value, but not to the evaluation result.

(6) The fees of independent exploration geologists are generally charged according to the service time. Such as on-site investigation, helping negotiation, making plans, testifying in court, indoor calculation, drawing, etc. Sometimes it is charged according to the percentage of the project. For example, the exploration plan of a company is charged according to a certain proportion of the total cost. The charging standard is related to the reputation and level of independent geologists; Long-term employment fees are paid to independent exploration geologists, and only priority services are guaranteed. This method can enable some experts to maintain long-term continuous service for a company. For the content outside the contract, you should pay extra according to the time; If laboratory tests, tests and long-distance business trips are needed, they will be calculated separately according to the quota.

3. Management of independent exploration geologists

Due to the high uncertainty of the value of exploration right and the high risk of mineral exploration, the management of independent exploration geologists in various countries is very strict. Independent exploration geologists must be officially recognized as independent and have nothing to do with listed companies, and cannot have direct, indirect or other common interests. There are generally two forms of management.

First of all, the authoritative mining association requires independent exploration geologists to become members of the association. For example, the Australian Mining and Metallurgy Association evaluates and tests the qualifications of independent exploration geologists every year. Another example is the American Mining and Metallurgical Exploration Association, which publishes a notice on the association's website every year to inform the evaluation scope. Only through evaluation can independent exploration geologists register their business activities with the professional registration Committee.

2. Independent exploration geologists (including mining engineers, etc.). ) organized into a self-disciplined trade association. In Canada, there are such associations in every province, and there are also such trade associations in many States in the United States. For example, independent engineers, exploration geologists and exploration geophysicists in Alberta (ape gga- Alberta Association of Professional Engineers, Geologists and Geophysicists) are the major mining provinces in Canada.

Three, mineral exploration software company

Take Micromine company as an example. Micromine is an Australian mining software development and sales company, which provides technical software for exploration and development for primary exploration companies and large mining companies to improve the efficiency of mineral exploration, pre-feasibility, feasibility study and mine production. Micromine can provide software products from geological data management, mineral exploration, three-dimensional modeling of ore bodies, geological statistics, intelligent geological data collection to mining and mine automation management. Such as Marshal, GBIS, Cantan3D, Weiming, Mingleim and Petram. Micromine China Branch obtained the certificate of Micromine resource evaluation software issued by the Ministry of Land and Resources of China, and provided consulting services for mining exploration companies and geological prospecting units in China. The company established a dynamic spatial database of mineral resources reserves in Liaoning Province.

Four, mineral exploration human resources services

Re-education and training in mineral exploration is also an integral part of commercial mineral exploration. Snowden is a training company specializing in mineral exploration. These training courses are very practical for exploration geologists. The company is headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, but can arrange training courses around the world. In 2005, the company arranged five training courses in Vancouver, London, Brisbane, Perth and Johannesburg. The main courses include: resource calculation, introduction to geostatistics, grade control and grade mixing, massive gold ore sampling, effective sampling methods, quality control of analytical data, analysis of variance, optimal resource/reserve report when releasing exploration information, resource and reserve risk management, optimal cut-off grade sampling, correct understanding of mineral exploration risks and exploration contract management. The tuition of this kind of training course is very expensive.

The talent market for mineral exploration is an integral part of the commercial mineral exploration market. The website of the Canadian Mineral Exploration Developers Association will assist exploration companies in recruiting talents. On the website of PDAC (www.pdacjobs.com), you can recruit individuals or groups. It can help recruiters search for potential applicants in the global database and send recruitment requirements to relevant websites, such as www.paydirtjobs.com and www.northernminerjobs.com. The single recruitment price is 275 Canadian dollars (kept on the website for 60 days), and different practices have different prices. In June 2004 alone, the hit rate reached1915438+ 10/6 times, and 4353 people visited 65428 pages.

The human resources of exploration geologists are commodities and valuable. The mineral exploration talent market will announce the annual salary of exploration geologists. The annual salaries of large mining companies, primary exploration companies, independent exploration geologists and government geologists are different. The annual salary of geologists in government departments is the lowest, which is about 60% of that of primary exploration companies on average. Take the annual salary of exploration geologists in British Columbia, Canada in 2006 as an example, as shown in Table 2-2.

Table 2-2 Annual salary of exploration geologist: 10,000 Canadian dollars.

Source: British Columbia Mineral Exploration Association, Canada, 2006 average annual salary evaluation of mineral exploration.