Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo.
Dr. Armitage received his Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario in Canada and is a registered Professional Geologist in Canada. He is currently the Principal Resource Geologist for SGS Geological Services, a branch of SGS Canada.
With over 35 years of experience, Dr. Armitage is a highly accomplished geologist specializing in mineral deposit evaluation and resource and reserve estimation. He has led and contributed to projects across the world, bringing expertise in geological resource modelling, block modelling, and NI 43-101 compliance. Allan has worked extensively on a wide range of deposit types, including lode gold, porphyry copper-gold, epithermal gold-silver, base metal massive sulphide, magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE, and uranium deposits.
Known for his technical leadership, Allan combines a strong command of geological environments and ore-forming processes with exceptional skills in 3D modelling and multidisciplinary technical studies. He is also a respected mentor, dedicated to developing the next generation of geoscientists by instilling best practices in exploration protocols and technical excellence. Dr Armitage is recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, strategic exploration planning, and ability to bridge technical insights with practical exploration outcomes.
Dr. Armitage has extensive experience in preparing technical reports, having authored, or co-authored more than 120 NI 43-101 technical reports. In addition, Dr Armitage has experience in preparation of JORC and S-K 1300 Technical Reports.
What Ever Happened to Geology? Part Two!
Allan Armitage, Ph.D., P.Geo., Technical Manager and Senior Resource Geologist, and Ben Eggers, MAIG, P.Geo., Senior Geologist
SGS Canada (Geological Services)
Why are more and more advanced exploration projects and mining projects failing these days?
In our opinion, it is the result of an inadequate effort being made to understand the mineral deposit and its geological, structural, mineralogical and metallurgical complexities. This poses significant risk to Mineral Resource estimates and subsequently the Mineral Reserve estimates, the mine design, and the process plant design.
The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum's (CIM) Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Committee (CIM MRMR Committee) prepared the CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (MRMR Best Practice Guidelines) and were adopted by the CIM Council on November 29, 2019. The 2019 MRMR Guidelines are an update to an earlier version that was accepted by CIM Council on November 23, 2003. The 2019 MRMR Guidelines not only provides best practices for estimating Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves but also offers valuable insights into data collection and management (primary observed, measured, and interpreted data), and geological and mineralization modelling, including the Mineral Resource estimation domains. The 2019 MRMR Best Practice Guidelines are intended for use by Canadian-based mining/exploration practitioners and are generally in agreement with current industry practices in jurisdictions elsewhere.
We have observed that too much emphasis is being placed on the Mineral Resource estimation procedures and not enough emphasis is being placed on understanding the deposit complexities in geology, structure, alteration, and mineralization. Too many Mineral Resources, especially for advanced exploration projects, are based on simplified 3D mineral resource domains (grade shells created by implicit modelling), which in turn are based strictly on the distribution of the commodity of interest, with little consideration for the geology, structure, mineralogy or recoverability. Too often we are seeing Mineral Resources being completed by Practitioners who have not conducted a site inspection and who have spent little to no time interacting with those who have an intimate knowledge of the complexities of the deposit, solely relying on a digital database and geostatistical characteristics; variograms are not a replacement for geological and structural studies!
The geological and mineralization models, including the Mineral Resource estimation domains, should integrate as much information as possible and must fit the current understanding of the geology, structure, and mineralization. These models should honour the primary observed and measured data, to include but not be limited to lithology, structure, mineralogy, degree of weathering, alteration, and timing of mineralization (cross-cutting features). A multi-disciplinary approach to modeling is critical and should not only involve the Practitioner responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate but also geologists with firsthand knowledge of the deposit of interest, mineralogists, metallurgists, and mining engineers. A site visit by the Practitioner responsible for the Mineral Resource estimate and when necessary (such as advanced projects) a mining engineer and process engineer is essential. You need to see the rocks!
An integrated and multi-disciplinary approach to geology and mineralization modelling can significantly reduce the risks to Mineral Resource estimates and subsequently the Mineral Reserve estimates, the mine design, and the process plant design. Reduce Project Risk!
