Explore here the essential phases of mineral exploration and discover how innovations and modern practices ensure more environmentally friendly projects and respect for local communities.
Initial prospecting kicks off the mineral exploration process and includes three key stages: pioneer prospecting1, outcrop sampling2, and mapping. Carried out after obtaining mining titles and government permits, a process that can take up to three years, this phase aims to confirm the mineral potential of a site. On the ground, the environmental impact is zero: samples are collected in small quantities and spread over a large exploration area.
 |
Prospector’s tent or small mobile camp in remote areas |
 |
Working groups of 2 to 5 people |
 |
Short-term |
 |
Spending intensity |
 |
No impact on a large area |
1Pioneering prospecting identifies mineral occurrences in areas that have not yet been geologically mapped, if at all. These activities often serve as a testing ground for new exploration technologies and methods, such as the use of drones, artificial intelligence to analyze geophysical data, or advanced sampling techniques. This step contributes to enriching scientific knowledge of the areas studied.
2Outcrop sampling involves taking samples from visible exposures of bedrock or ancient surface deposits on the Earth’s surface.
The second phase of mineral exploration, known as surface exploration, focuses on collecting essential and complex data to identify and prioritize drilling targets. It consists of six steps: line cutting, geological surveys and rock sampling, ground geophysical surveys, geochemical surveys, airborne surveys, and quaternary surveys. These activities, spread over vast areas, have minimal environmental impact.
|
Prospector’s tent or small mobile camp in remote areas |
 |
Working groups of 2 to 10 people |
 |
1 to 24 weeks |
|
Spending intensity |
 |
Negligible impact over a large area |
The third phase aims to validate the exploration target and includes fiveour steps: setting up a camp, creating access roads, clearing vegetation, stripping and trenching, and exploration drilling. Some steps, such as the camp, access roads, and clearing, are optional. For drilling, a drill is moved with the assistance of tracked equipment or helicopter, while power is supplied by helicopter, cargo, crawler, or snowmobile. These activities have a limited and localized impact, with no lasting effects, and are conducted over small areas.
 |
Setting up a camp |
|
Working groups of 2 to 10 people |
 |
8 to 24 weeks |
 |
Spending intensity |
 |
Punctual and nil impact after work on a small area |
The fourth phase of mineral exploration, focused on resource delineation, includes two steps: delineation/step-out drilling1 and preliminary economic assessment2 (NI 43-101). Drilling is more closely spaced, at 20 to 100 meters apart, depending on the geological complexity, resulting in a larger land footprint compared to previous phases. However, the impact remains localized and disappears after the work is completed, conducted over a small area.
|
Setting up a camp |
 |
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
 |
12 to 100 weeks |
 |
Spending intensity |
|
Punctual and no impact after work on a small area |
1Delineation drilling is a stage in mineral exploration aimed at defining the exact limits of a deposit. By drilling around the mineralized zone, geologists can map the shape, extent and depth of the resource. This enables them to better estimate available reserves and guide decisions for the next stage of the project.
2Preliminary economic studies (43-101) are analyses carried out in mineral exploration to estimate the economic viability of a deposit. In compliance with Canadian standards, these studies evaluate potential resources and provide a preliminary estimate of project value, based on geological data and comparisons with similar deposits. They help determine whether the site could justify profitable mining operations.
Companies only proceed to Phase 5, definition drilling1, if the previous phase has yielded positive results. This phase includes two key steps: definition drilling and pre-feasibility studies. Pre-feasibility studies are detailed analyses carried out to assess the technical and economic viability of a mining project before moving on to the full feasibility stage. These studies include geotechnical2, metallurgical3, and environmental4 assessments, providing essential information to estimate costs, impacts, and potential risks associated with the project.
|
Setting up a camp |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
 |
12 to 52 weeks. May extend over several years |
 |
Spending intensity |
|
Punctual and no impact after work on a small area |
1Definition drilling is a technique used to specify the size, shape and quality of a previously identified mineral deposit. By drilling holes spaced out over the site, geologists gather detailed data that enable a more accurate assessment of the quantity of exploitable resources, thus contributing to economic estimates and operational planning.
2Geotechnical studies are analyses that assess the physical characteristics of the soil and rocks at a mining site. Their aim is to determine the stability of the ground, the strength of the materials and the subsoil conditions required to ensure the safety and feasibility of the infrastructure needed for mining operations.
3Metallurgical studies are analyses carried out to determine the optimum methods for extracting and processing the metals contained in a deposit. They assess the mineral composition and metallurgical properties of ore samples, in order to maximize resource recovery and ensure the profitability of the transformation process.
4Environmental studies assess the potential impact of a mining project on the environment. They analyze aspects such as water quality, air quality, natural habitats and biodiversity to identify and minimize negative effects. These studies are essential to comply with environmental standards and ensure responsible, sustainable operations.
The sixth phase of the mineral exploration process, known as advanced exploration, includes two steps: continued surface and underground definition drilling, as well as the construction of exploration ramps or shafts. This phase can last several years. The developments made are temporary and restored after the work is completed, conducted over a small area.
 |
Setting up a camp and building ramps and wells |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
 |
A few years |
 |
Spending intensity |
 |
Very precise impact on a site, temporary and no impact after the works |
The mineral exploration process concludes with the pre-construction phase, which includes feasibility studies as well as in-depth geotechnical, metallurgical, and environmental analyses. These results allow the company to decide whether to proceed with the project by developing, constructing, operating, and restoring the site, or to temporarily suspend the project. Like the previous phases, this stage extends over several years. The impacts are localized, and a precise site characterization is carried out to guide the next steps.
|
Setting up a camp and building ramps and wells |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
| |
A few years |
|
Spending intensity |
 |
Precise impact on a site, temporary and restored after the works |
Initial prospecting kicks off the mineral exploration process and includes three key stages: pioneer prospecting1, outcrop sampling2, and mapping. Carried out after obtaining mining titles and government permits, a process that can take up to three years, this phase aims to confirm the mineral potential of a site. On the ground, the environmental impact is zero: samples are collected in small quantities and spread over a large exploration area.
|
Prospector’s tent or small mobile camp in remote areas |
|
Working groups of 2 to 5 people |
|
Short-term |
|
Spending intensity |
|
No impact on a large area |
1Pioneering prospecting identifies mineral occurrences in areas that have not yet been geologically mapped, if at all. These activities often serve as a testing ground for new exploration technologies and methods, such as the use of drones, artificial intelligence to analyze geophysical data, or advanced sampling techniques. This step contributes to enriching scientific knowledge of the areas studied.
2Outcrop sampling involves taking samples from visible exposures of bedrock or ancient surface deposits on the Earth’s surface.
The second phase of mineral exploration, known as surface exploration, focuses on collecting essential and complex data to identify and prioritize drilling targets. It consists of six steps: line cutting, geological surveys and rock sampling, ground geophysical surveys, geochemical surveys, airborne surveys, and quaternary surveys. These activities, spread over vast areas, have minimal environmental impact.
|
Prospector’s tent or small mobile camp in remote areas |
|
Working groups of 2 to 10 people |
|
1 to 24 weeks |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Negligible impact over a large area |
The third phase aims to validate the exploration target and includes fiveour steps: setting up a camp, creating access roads, clearing vegetation, stripping and trenching, and exploration drilling. Some steps, such as the camp, access roads, and clearing, are optional. For drilling, a drill is moved with the assistance of tracked equipment or helicopter, while power is supplied by helicopter, cargo, crawler, or snowmobile. These activities have a limited and localized impact, with no lasting effects, and are conducted over small areas.
|
Setting up a camp |
|
Working groups of 2 to 10 people |
|
8 to 24 weeks |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Punctual and nil impact after work on a small area |
The fourth phase of mineral exploration, focused on resource delineation, includes two steps: delineation/step-out drilling1 and preliminary economic assessment2 (NI 43-101). Drilling is more closely spaced, at 20 to 100 meters apart, depending on the geological complexity, resulting in a larger land footprint compared to previous phases. However, the impact remains localized and disappears after the work is completed, conducted over a small area.
|
Setting up a camp |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
|
12 to 100 weeks |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Punctual and no impact after work on a small area |
1Delineation drilling is a stage in mineral exploration aimed at defining the exact limits of a deposit. By drilling around the mineralized zone, geologists can map the shape, extent and depth of the resource. This enables them to better estimate available reserves and guide decisions for the next stage of the project.
2Preliminary economic studies (43-101) are analyses carried out in mineral exploration to estimate the economic viability of a deposit. In compliance with Canadian standards, these studies evaluate potential resources and provide a preliminary estimate of project value, based on geological data and comparisons with similar deposits. They help determine whether the site could justify profitable mining operations.
Companies only proceed to Phase 5, definition drilling1, if the previous phase has yielded positive results. This phase includes two key steps: definition drilling and pre-feasibility studies. Pre-feasibility studies are detailed analyses carried out to assess the technical and economic viability of a mining project before moving on to the full feasibility stage. These studies include geotechnical2, metallurgical3, and environmental4 assessments, providing essential information to estimate costs, impacts, and potential risks associated with the project.
|
Setting up a camp |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
|
12 to 52 weeks. May extend over several years |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Punctual and no impact after work on a small area |
1Definition drilling is a technique used to specify the size, shape and quality of a previously identified mineral deposit. By drilling holes spaced out over the site, geologists gather detailed data that enable a more accurate assessment of the quantity of exploitable resources, thus contributing to economic estimates and operational planning.
2Geotechnical studies are analyses that assess the physical characteristics of the soil and rocks at a mining site. Their aim is to determine the stability of the ground, the strength of the materials and the subsoil conditions required to ensure the safety and feasibility of the infrastructure needed for mining operations.
3Metallurgical studies are analyses carried out to determine the optimum methods for extracting and processing the metals contained in a deposit. They assess the mineral composition and metallurgical properties of ore samples, in order to maximize resource recovery and ensure the profitability of the transformation process.
4Environmental studies assess the potential impact of a mining project on the environment. They analyze aspects such as water quality, air quality, natural habitats and biodiversity to identify and minimize negative effects. These studies are essential to comply with environmental standards and ensure responsible, sustainable operations.
The sixth phase of the mineral exploration process, known as advanced exploration, includes two steps: continued surface and underground definition drilling, as well as the construction of exploration ramps or shafts. This phase can last several years. The developments made are temporary and restored after the work is completed, conducted over a small area.
|
Setting up a camp and building ramps and wells |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
| |
A few years |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Very precise impact on a site, temporary and no impact after the works |
The mineral exploration process concludes with the pre-construction phase, which includes feasibility studies as well as in-depth geotechnical, metallurgical, and environmental analyses. These results allow the company to decide whether to proceed with the project by developing, constructing, operating, and restoring the site, or to temporarily suspend the project. Like the previous phases, this stage extends over several years. The impacts are localized, and a precise site characterization is carried out to guide the next steps.
|
Setting up a camp and building ramps and wells |
|
Working groups of 5 to 15 people |
| |
A few years |
|
Spending intensity |
|
Precise impact on a site, temporary and restored after the works |