WGM | Geological and Mining Consultants

Integrity. Accountability.

For nearly 50 years, exploration and mining companies alike have been trusting WGM geological consultants to deliver best-in-class professional services for their mineral assets. Our clients take comfort in knowing that each and every project is handled by experts in their specific fields, whether it's project management or Mineral Resource and Reserve estimations.

Our Peer Review Process (PREP™) is by far the most authoritative in the industry. You can be confident knowing that every NI 43-101, JORC, or other disclosure of information that we issue has been systematically scrutinized for its technical and factual completeness and correctness.

Around the globe, WGM's proficiency in project management and its technical expertise have contributed to the company's worldwide reputation for excellence and cost-effective project execution. WGM's geological consultants have the demonstrated ability to integrate and organize all of the technical and development aspects of a project to meet the client's objectives anywhere in the world.

A PDF file highlighting our services is also available for download on our Downloads page.

Mineral Resource and Reserve Audits and Estimates

 

Your company's success lies in the hands of the mineral potential of your properties.

For over 47 years, exploration and mining companies alike have trusted WGM with their Mineral Resource and Reserve audits and estimates. Our resource experts have amassed decades ef experience in virtually all known deposit types, and include two of Gemcom's former most Senior Business Analysts, and several other experts in geostatistics, geologcal modelling, strategic mine planning (Whittle) and more.

Many clients request technical audits to ensure that Mineral Resources and Reserves have been estimated according to standard mining industry practice (NI 43-101, JORC) or to obtain an independent assessment of their estimates for either internal purposes or for third parties, such as financial institutions or other interested mining companies.

Our geological consultants can work with the client from the initial stages of an exploration program and will tailor the database and future program to meet their requirements. We also have the ability to import pre-existing databases and models in order to complete the task at hand and can return the finished product in a suitable format to the client.

WGM uses state of art software including Gemcom Software's GEMS geology and mine planning software, as well as Whittle open pit optimization software.

 

NI 43-101 Technical Reports

 

WGM has been a leading advocate of National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"), and has helped shaped it into what it is today. Our geological consultants are qualified to make disclosure for our clients which comply with the strict guidelines of NI 43-101.

NI 43-101 is administered by the provincial securities commissions, and covers verbal and written communications (including documents and websites). In general it requires that any disclosure be based on advice from a "qualified person" (QP) who must, in some cases, be independent of the issuer and the property.

Under NI 43-101, a QP is defined as an individual who:

  • Is a geoscientist or engineer with minimum five years experience in mineral exploration, mine development or operation, or mineral project assessment (or some combination of these);
  • Has experience that is relevant to the subject matter of the mineral project and technical report; and
  • Is a member in good standing of a professional association.

Given the depth of experience WGM's geological consultants have in Canadian-funded projects, we are highly versed in the NI 43-101 disclosure standards. WGM also fully complies with standards required by other nationalities and regulators.

 

Property Evaluations

 

Companies who have diversified their business portfolios to include mineral properties, often don't have the technical expertise to properly assess their full value. Our geological consultants will work within the framework of your organization's business strategy (i.e. risk aversion vs. tolerance) to realize the greatest potential and value for your properties.

WGM has helped countless organizations mitigate the inherent risks in developing their mineral assets through a step-by-step, systematic approach to evaluating their mineral potential, and by laying out the framework for exploration.

Our geological consultants have designed and implemented grassroots exploration programs including ground geophysics, geochemical soil sampling, field mapping, diamond drilling, analytical testwork, mineralogical studies, and preliminary metalurigcal testing.

 

Exploration Project Management and Staffing

 

With today's looming skills shortages and economic uncertainties, many exploration companies are looking to offset their costs by outsourcing their exploration programs to professional geological consultants. Over the past 47 years, WGM has been retained by many such companies to design and implement exploration projects.

Our project management experience includes staffing, camp logistics and setup, data compilation, target selection, surface and underground exploration, geological, geophysical and geochemical survey, drilling, preliminary feasibility studies and, of course, project monitoring.

Most recently, WGM has managed exporation programs for Houston Lake Mining and Champion Bear Resources.

 

Remote Sensing and GIS Services

 

Remote sensing offers an economical way to identify mineral exploration targets. Structures, lithologies and alteration can be interpreted, depending on terrain and vegetation cover. Satellite imagery can also provide base maps for exploration programs where accurate topographic maps are not available. SAR (radar) sensors penetrate cloud, dry snow and provide a shaded relief effect which enhances subtle geological features. WGM provides image processing, enhancement and interpretation.

Our geoligcal consultants have worked extensively with RadarSAT data world-wide since the satellite became operational. At WGM, we work with your geologists to interpret satellite imagery and integrate the images and interpretations into exploration databases on GIS. Your geologists can then work with the data on laptop computers in the field.

Image Processing, Enhancement & Interpretation:

  • RadarSat: 8-100m resolution, penetrates cloud cover; used for geographic base maps, structural and geological interpretation, integration with TM, aeromagnetics, geochem, etc.
  • Landsat TM: 30m resolution, 7 bands; used for geologic and structural interpretation, vegetation mapping (for stressed areas).
  • MK-4: 7m resolution, 3 banks + panchromatic; used for geographic base maps, structural and geological interpretation.
  • Digital Elevation Models: Used for structural, geological and geochemical interpretation, integration with geology or other datasets.

Compilation & Integration of Exploration Data:

  • Compilation, Integration & Visualization of Datasets: Drillholes, assays, geochemical analyses, geology, geophysical maps, imagery, properties, etc.
  • GIS Map Coverages: Rectified to map projection; linked to database attributes.
  • Imagery: Converted to desktop GIS; used as base for GIS overlays.
  • Digital Map Atlases: Full detail viewing with free software; maps can be printed at high resolution.
  • Easy to Use Desktop GIS: MapInfo or ArcView.

Data Management:

  • Land/Mineral Titles: Management of properties, projects and agreements; map and text data.
  • Exploration Data: Management of drillholes, analyses, samples, surveys, images; map and text data.
  • Mineral Occurrences: Mineralization, geology, resources, past work, location and access.
  • Excel, Access, MapInfo, ArcView

 

Database Setup, Validation and Management

 

WGM has extensive experience setting up, validating and maintaining databases. Effective database design organizes information so that it may be analyzed as a whole, or divided into discrete layers or parts at will - in order to assess a larger picture or target specific items of interest. We build databases specialized to the particular needs of project or operations in the mineral resources fields. Our geological consultants verify, compile and manage large quantities of existing data into a highly useful database format. Our database management experience covers assessment records, filing records for government, regulatory filings, and validation of data as a form of due diligence.

 


Contact
us for details.

 

 

"Thank you for delivering the NI43-101 Technical Report on time. The detail is excellent, and I very much like the summary and recommendations and agree with them as a Professional Engineer. We look forward to moving this project forward."

Frank Condon, Director and Project Manager - Adriana Resources

In the News

In Memoriam: David Beggs (1943-2010) - (January 25th, 2010) It is with heartfelt sorrow that we bid fond farewell to David Beggs, WGM’s Senior Geomatics Associate, who passed away this week. David had over 38 years of industry experience, much of it in developing countries, advocating the training and mentoring of local personnel in new technologies. He was an expert in GIS and remote sensing, and during the period between 1996 and 1998, he processed and interpreted RadarSAT and LandSAT imagery for mineral exploration projects in Mongolia, Africa, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Philippines and Solomon Islands. David was admired by all of his colleagues for his steadfast dedication to his work and family. We will miss him dearly.

WGM selected for Egyptian Industrial Minerals Study - (January 8th, 2010) The Industrial Modernization Centre (“IMC”) is an industrial development agency jointly funded by the European Union, the Egyptian private sector, and the government of Egypt, whose mandate is to provide business development support to Egyptian industrial enterprises. WGM is pleased to announce that it has been selected to conduct a year-long study on Egypt’s Industrial Minerals Sector. (More Information)

Exploration and Mining Risk Analysis Workshop, Cape Town - (February 22-23, 2010) WGM President, Joe Hinzer will be hosting a two-day workshop in Cape Town, South Africa. (More Information)

Events

PDAC 2010, Toronto - (March 7-10, 2010) Don't miss the mining event of the year! Come visit WGM at booth B901 for your chance to win some great prizes! (More Information)

Career Opportunities

September 1st, 2008 - WGM is currently seeking qualified geological and mining professionals for positions in its Toronto and Vancouver offices (More information).

 

Copyright © 2009 Watts, Griffis and McOuat Limited | Geological and Mining Consultants