Geological Modelling
The fundamental reason why your geological models may be completely wrong
Here are some reasons why we may get our geological models and understanding completely wrong.
Read MoreIs ‘Vectoring’ to Mineralisation a Claytons Jargon?
What exactly is ‘Vectoring’ to Mineralisation? This post has all the answers.
Read MoreWhy I Give Geological Cross-Sections the Cold Shoulder
In this post, I question the usefulness of a geological habit universally accepted as a good thing—the geological cross-section
Read MoreA recipe for shrinking a mineral resource by 90%
How can a mineral resource be downgraded by 90%? This is a simple explanation most geologists are not aware of.
Read MoreFive things about Leapfrog Geo that mean I will continue to use Leapfrog Mining
Two years after Leapfrog Geo’s release in Feb 2013, Ron Reid discusses TOP 5 reasons why the original Leapfrog Mining still continues to be the better Leapfrog software for most mining and exploration related work.
Read MoreThe devolution of the Leapfrog drawing tool – a lesson in designing disruptive technology: Part 2
The 3D drawing tool in Leapfrog released in 2004 cannot be faulted from a technical standpoint. So why wasn’t it included in the next generation of Leapfrog software, Leapfrog Geo?
Read MoreThe devolution of the Leapfrog drawing tool – a lesson in designing disruptive technology: Part 1
The revolutionary 3D drawing tool in Leapfrog released in 2004—is all but forgotten a decade later. Why this happened is a lesson to all software companies that develop and introduce something new to an established market.
Read MoreMaptek’s Vulcan Implicit Modeller, the new kid on the block
Ron Reid reviews the latest shiny new Implicit Modeller from Maptek. Find out how it stacks up to Leapfrog.
Read MoreThe missing link in exploration – Rapid 3D geological modelling
Implicit 3D modelling tools should be used by every exploration company as a geological tool, but like any other geological tool, it should be used by experienced geologists. Use it like a black box, and it will inevitably lead to disaster.
Read MoreThere is a new frog in the pond – Micromine Implicit Modeller
Ron Reid presents an independent review of Micromine’s new Implicit Modelling software and compare it with Leapfrog. A mere tadpole or is it a cane toad to Leapfrog? Read and find out!
Read MoreCreating a wireframe from a set of points ‒ Part 2
Creating objects from XYZ points in Leapfrog Geo is easy while Leapfrog Mining’s method is simply elegant, but Ron Reid finds out that there is even a simpler way in Micromine’s new implicit modeller.
Read MoreCreating a wireframe from a set of points ‒ Part 1
Ron Reid outlines in Part 1 of a two part post how to construct a 3D object from a set of points that are not connected to each other using Leapfrog Mining and Leapfrog Geo.
Read MoreA long winter ahead…
What are some of the lessons to be learned from the past mineral industry boom?
Read MoreSelecting a subset of drillholes in Leapfrog
Ron Reid provides some tips on how to use drill hole data intelligently with Leapfrog Mining software.
Read MoreWhy discussing public drill hole data can only be done in private
Dr Alistair Reed of Schoer, Reed & Associates has a few tips about what one can write about listed companies. As it turns out, you need special licences to discuss openly about public companies.
Read MoreStrain? What strain??!
The majority of geologists don’t understand 3D ductile strain, judging from our consultations with clients. I explain why it is absolutely critical to understand ductile strain to benefit exploration and resource evaluation.
Read MoreRest In Peace Topographic Contours – Part 3
Paul Hooykaas presents an interesting historical background to the construction of topographic contours and why this representation of topography is still used in the resource industry.
Read MoreRest In Peace Topographic Contours – Part 2
If you shouldn’t use topographic contours for 3D modelling, then what should you use? In this blog post, I show the superiority of 3D interpolation by contrasting the stark difference between 2D and 3D interpolated LIDAR surfaces.
Read More1001 reasons why Leapfrog Mining is still better than Leapfrog Geo
In marketing, you put forward the positives and spin the negatives into a more favourable light. Unless of course there is a big negative that is too heavy to spin.
Read MoreThe myth of sectional geological modelling: Part 2
I outline the quickest way to model geology in 3D, but it’s controversial and the discussion may offend the majority of academic economic geologists!
Read MoreThe myth of sectional geological modelling: Part 1
“Interpreting in section and in plan is the most reliable way we can understand the geology of the deposit.”, or is this statement a myth?
Read MoreRest In Peace Topographic Contours
Notwithstanding the nearly 200-year history of topographic contours, in today’s post I’ll question the usefulness of topographic contours in the context of 3D geological modelling. WARNING: Some of you, who have grown up using maps and GIS software, might consider the content of this post blasphemous!
Read MoreWhat is a Fault?
Many geologists consider the modelling of faults in mineral deposits to be VERY important. I am not one of these geologists. To understand why I feel this way, you have to ask the question “What is a Fault?”
Read MoreBoundary Analysis in Leapfrog
How do you decide whether to make a fault boundary hard or soft? Geologist Ron Reid, who is an Orefind-trained veteran Leapfrog user, explains how to do this effectively in Leapfrog Mining software.
Read MoreWill Gemcom produce a Leaped Frog out of Leapfrog?
Gemcom recently announced the ‘Dynamic Shells’ update to their Surpac software, which is described as a fast implicit modeller. This is a module that jumps and croaks like Leapfrog, and regardless of whether it actually works like Leapfrog is a moot point. It doesn’t really matter because in marketing, it’s all about perception.
Read MoreThe Watch Riddle
A parable is a short tale that illustrates universal truth.
Today’s post is a geological parable in two parts, and it starts off with a strange looking watch.
Is sectional digitisation in geological modelling still considered “industry best practice”?
For geological modelling, resource geologists generally favour the use of sectionally hand-digitised wireframe models for resource estimation, but in 2012 is this still considered industry best practice? Jun Cowan, the conceptual founder of Leapfrog software, discusses this issue with a familiar example.
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