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Vestiga presents a low cost option for any organization
engaged in exploration activities. The opportunity now
exists for organizations to conduct their own field surveys
and sample collection.
The
resultant data provides an extraordinary wide window of
analysis in the order of 60 elements.
Whilst the science is complex, sample collection is not, it
requires a disciplined , consistent and systematic
approach.
In short, you collect the samples in the same
manner, distance and depth and avoid contamination at all
costs.
Before we explain further, it is mission critical that
process commence with a properly designed and planned
Survey, the process does not lend itself to an ad hoc
approach. The initial site survey, or transect would
ordinarily extend across and slightly beyond the area of
known mineralization or area of interest in order to
establish the value and validity of the Vestiga process.
Following analysis of the primary survey you would normally
plan a more definitive or intensive program of sample
collection by applying a grid format across the mineralized
zone, giving particular attention to the spacing, ideally
between 25mtrs and 50mtrs reducing to 15 mtrs over the
target area. There are a number of mapping software programs
available for this purpose which will enable you accurately
plot and transpose the coordinates to your GPS. Our field
team for example regularly use ‘Aussie Explorer’ which
incidentally is relatively inexpensive, alternatively ‘Soft
Geo’.
The Sampling Process:
1.
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Collect the
samples at the same regular intervals 15/25/50 mtrs
in rows of 50 or 100 mtrs and take the samples at
the same depths (15 – 25cms) as far as practicable.
Variation in sampling depth and technique generally
may compromise interpretation. |
2.
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At the outset before engaging in
sample collection avoid wearing jewellery especially rings, as this can be a source of
contamination! |
3.
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Maintain high level cleanliness.
Clean your equipment with the use a hard brush
followed by a bacterial or surgical wipe (alcohol
based) Avoid wipes with other additives. The wipe
down is necessary to eliminate transporting
contamination from previous samples. Suggest you
flush the sieve with soil from the new site before
collection process begins. Recommend you use
stainless steel spade or similar to dig hole, do
not use a spade or shovel with a painted digging
surface. |
4.
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Remove surface debris and any
organic matter from the horizon of the hole to avoid
contamination. (Make notes about any usual geo
feature or problem arising in connection with the
collection of any sample.) |
5.
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Use a small stainless steel
trowel or similar to take a cross section of the
soil, sieve the soil using a 80 micro sieve, most
small kitchen sieves will meet this requirement,
place sieved soil into clean airtight plastic bag. |
6.
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Ensure bag is appropriately
labelled, ideally on both sides before placing
material into sealed bag. This is to ensure the
surface of the bag is not abraded. Collect approx 25
to 50 grams of material, keep your fingers from
entering the inside of the plastic bag. |
7.
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Moist or damp samples may be
collected, avoid wet or saturated soil. |
8.
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Organic matter such as leaves
may be collected separately.
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Equipment:
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A
Garden Spade, 5 or 6 com sieve, steel trowel. Ensure
implements are plain metal or ideally stainless steel,
appropriately labelled Plastic snap seal bags; do not use
paper or calico. Do not use water soluble marking pens.
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Analysis:
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When all samples have been collected
they are sent to registered mail to Vestiga for analysis.
For samples collected outside Australia contact us for
instructions prior to dispatching any samples. It takes on
average 2 weeks to provide the analysis. |
Interpretation:
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If
interpretation is required it is important to provide the
coordinates for each sample on an x/L spreadsheet format. |
Introductory Offer:
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Minimum number of
samples 40 cost $50 per sample; 250 samples or more special
rates apply. |
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