Project Methodology

The Metallogenic Potential of Australian Proterozoic Granites, Record 2001/12

Anthony R. Budd, Lesley A.I. Wyborn, Irina V. Bastrakova

• Download Compilation and Interpretation Methods Report
• User Methods
• Related links

Download Compilation and Interpretation Methods Report

• Download the complete report on the used compilation and interpretation methods. [PDF_3Mb]

Used Methods

The project has compiled data on not only geological and chemical features of all Proterozoic granite suites, but also of their host rocks, to highlight new areas of potential granite-related Au ± base metal mineralisation.

In essence, our approach has been one of ‘forensic data mining’. Data mining was defined by Westphal and Blaxton (1998), and has two end members: predictive and descriptive. Predictive methodologies rely on developing a computer derived ‘best-fit model’ from the data, or taking an existing model and finding areas that matched the prescribed model. In descriptive data mining, the goal is to gain understanding by discovering patterns and relationships within the data. Hitzman and Williams (2000) suggested that a new research paradigm in economic geology could emerge based on work in criminal forensic science. They suggested that if ore bodies were examined like bodies at the scene of the crime, we would collect data in a systematic and completely objective fashion. ‘Forensic data mining’ has been the underlying philosophy of the project: to systematically and objectively compile data on all granites and all sediments within 5 kms of all Proterozoic granites of all Australian Proterozoic provinces. As the project progressed, many patterns and relationships were uncovered (and are still being uncovered from this base data set).

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Related links

• The Metallogenic Potential of Australian Proterozoic Granites
• Original Proposal for Project