According to the International Iranian Stone Exhibition, mineral exploration is carried out in several ways, which have been invented to find various deposits of economic value and are widely used in developed countries.

The main purpose of the exploration discussion is to pay attention to the search, exploration and location of a deposit. If we divide the exploration into two categories: shallow and deep, we can say that the mining sector of our country has performed well in shallow exploration but has not had much success in deep exploration. According to the statistics and information of geological experts, while the surface reserves in our country are running out, the average depth of explorations does not reach even one meter.

This figure is very different in other countries and it can be said that the average depth of exploration is up to 400 meters. Now these are important questions as to why we have not yet made in-depth explorations; Since increasing the depth of mine exploration requires the use of modern drilling equipment and devices, what effect does the increase in exchange rates and sanctions have on reducing the purchasing power of miners to provide up-to-date machinery and exploration in the country, and how much can exploration consortia form? Increase Iran's power to assist in deep exploration.

Pursue the exploration of deep and hidden reserves

Alireza Shahidi, head of the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization, said: "The Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization of the country, considering the relative completion of surface exploration and the country's need for mineral raw materials, especially iron ore, copper, gold, etc., since 2002 to explore deep and hidden reserves." Has taken action. This has been done by airborne geophysics method, along with other methods of increasing information such as geological maps, geochemistry, alteration, ground geophysics, satellite images, etc.

Regarding the situation of deep exploration in Iran, the Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade said: "Currently, the average depth of exploration in the country is about one meter, while in developed countries this number reaches 400 meters." In most mining countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia and Africa, the exploration depth of elements such as gold, base metals, uranium and other metals has increased since the 1960s to 300, 400 meters.

Discovery of more than 1000 aerial anomalies

In response to the question of what the Geological Survey has done to increase the depth of exploration in the country, Shahidi said: The Geological Survey of the country has had more than 640,000 kilometers of linear geophysical-aerial surveys in priority areas since 2002. More than 1,000 aerial geophysical anomalies have also been discovered.

It is worth mentioning that the accuracy of harvesting in the magnetic method up to 400 meters above the ground is well covered.

He emphasized: "Considering the capability of the manpower and equipment that this specialized organization has, in addition to the geophysical layer of the air, we have also completed the exploration process at the surface and depth;" Therefore, this organization is conducting superficial and in-depth explorations in a professional manner.

Underlining that access to modern drilling rigs is not the only issue for in-depth exploration, the Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade continued: "Although access to modern drilling rigs is an important issue, it is not enough to develop mining." In this regard, paying attention to the exact location of the drilling in which the mineral is concentrated is a very important factor.

"The development of in-depth exploration is operationalized by combining basic information," he said. Of course, let's not forget that the existence of advanced drilling rigs also plays a decisive role in this regard.

The role of exploratory consortia

The head of the Geology and Mineral Exploration Organization, in response to the question of how important the formation of exploration consortia can be in the development of exploration and supply of equipment, said: It will be important in the development of the mining sector. Fortunately, the existing mining consortia currently provide significant assistance to exploration and mining units.

Most exploration reserves are terrestrial

Mohammad Reza Janantsari, Director General of the Office of Metal, Non-Metal and Industrial Mineral Exploration of the Geological Survey of Minerals and Exploration, said about the importance of exploration and exploitation of deep deposits: Hidden not paid.

He added: "In the last decade, the country's Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration Organization has started aerial geophysical surveys with the aim of exploring deep deposits."

Factors of backwardness in deep exploration

Asked why we have not yet achieved in-depth exploration, the senior mineral exploration expert said: "Sanctions have been a very important factor in preventing in-depth exploration. Weak access to modern exploration technology, not using foreign experts, not using leading scientific centers in exploring deep deposits, poor ability to purchase modern aerial geophysical equipment, poor ability to buy deep drilling equipment, etc. are among the problems that cause backwardness. We have been in deep exploration.

The Director General of the Office of Metallurgical, Non-Metallic and Industrial Mineral Exploration of the Geological Survey of Minerals and Exploration, referring to the importance of using new exploration methods and technologies as one of the requirements for exploration of deep or hidden deposits, said: It turns out that most of them are geophysical and geochemical methods. Among the geophysical methods, we can mention the collection of aerial geophysical data by magnetic, radiometric and electromagnetic methods, three-dimensional reflective seismography and magnetotelluric. Geochemical methods include bulge, extraction of mobile metal ions and hydrogeochemistry.

The importance of using modern equipment

Regarding the importance of using modern and advanced exploration equipment, Janansari said: "Implementation of new methods in the exploration of deep deposits requires the relevant equipment." Although we are currently under sanctions, it is necessary to purchase the equipment at the right time. At present, in addition to the use of airplanes and helicopters, magnetic, radiometric, electromagnetic and UAV methods are also used in the collection of aerial geophysical data, which are not widely used in Iran.

"Using drones will save time and money," he said. At present, this possibility is not fully available in the country and it is necessary to equip the country's drilling fleet with advanced deep drilling equipment.

Rising exchange rates are hampering the boom in in-depth exploration

Asked what effect the increase in the exchange rate had on the purchasing power of mining activists to provide up-to-date machinery, Janantari said: "The increase in the exchange rate has definitely had a negative impact on the purchasing power of mining activists." In fact, the rise in the exchange rate has reduced the purchasing power of economic actors. On the other hand, the increase in the exchange rate has also increased the cost of drilling boreholes, as about 60% of drilling costs are foreign exchange. Thus, the increase in drilling costs has increased exploration costs, and it is natural that no one should go for deep and very expensive and high-risk drilling.

Training of specialized human resources

Janansari pointed out the importance of continuous training and specialized manpower and specified: to use new exploration methods in deep deposits, we need specialized and trained manpower, therefore it is necessary for the Geology and Mineral Exploration Organization as well as the country's universities to train such forces. It should be noted that the country's drilling fleet needs skilled personnel to perform deep drilling.

He added: "In the field of exploitation of deep reserves, it is necessary for miners to look towards underground mining." Although we have experience in this field, but for the development of underground mining, it is necessary for miners to become more familiar with modern underground mining methods and advanced mining equipment and machinery. In this regard, we need trained specialists who can provide the necessary infrastructure for the development of underground mining.

Allocation of financial resources

The senior expert in the field of mineral exploration also said about the importance of allocating financial resources: "Undoubtedly, deep exploration will not be achieved without allocating the necessary and sufficient financial resources to the responsible institutions, including the Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration." Aerial geophysical harvesting costs are currently about $ 100 per linear kilometer, and core drilling costs more than one million tomans per meter; Therefore, if we intend to explore deep deposits, we must also determine its costs appropriately and allocate funds to the relevant organizations.

The need to amend the rules

Asked how much regulation is needed to grow deep exploration, Janansari said: "Undoubtedly, the exploration of deep deposits has more complex conditions than the surface deposits and its exploration risk is higher for investors; Thus, deep deposit explorers need more legal and financial support. This will be achieved by amending the laws, facilitating matters and also supporting the Mining Activities Insurance Fund.

He continued: "Because such mining requires a lot of tailings or work in deep tunnels, we need significant amendments to some laws to motivate miners and investors."

Formation of exploration consortia

Asked how much the formation of exploration consortia consisting of activists in the field could help increase the purchasing power of equipment, the senior expert in the field of mineral exploration said: "The formation of consortia can split the purchase costs." In the meantime, buyers of drilling rigs should also be sure that the situation will improve. They have to buy to develop their exploratory drilling, or if they have drilling companies, they have to make sure they get a contract with them after they buy the machine.

In the end, he stated: Exploration and exploitation of deep deposits with the aim of developing the mining sector and increasing the amount of definite mineral reserves in the country is possible with the sympathy and integrated cooperation of responsible government institutions, the private sector and scientific-academic centers.

Increasing the depth of mine exploration

The Executive Director of the Coordination Council for Small-Scale Mines Rehabilitation and Activation Project said about the importance of increasing the depth of mine exploration: "Increasing the depth of mine exploration requires modern drilling equipment and devices." Accordingly, due to the high rate of this equipment, the policy is based on the formation of consortia consisting of activists in this field, to provide the equipment needed to increase the depth of exploration.

Seyed Reza Azimi emphasized on supporting specialized drilling companies and said: attracting resources from the National Development Fund to purchase drilling equipment as well as localization of drilling equipment spare parts is on the agenda.

He added that special privileges for specialists, consortia and companies with superior executive and scientific capacity were seen in the instructions for the auction of mining areas, adding: "If the new law is announced, the maintenance of exploration areas by the applicants will be costly for them and this will cause The blocking of exploratory areas will be balanced and eventually minimized.

Azimi said: "Today, in areas where investment risk is high and there is no demand from the private sector, initial studies of mineral capacity infrastructure and basic information by development organizations such as the Geological Survey of Iran and the Organization for Development and Renovation of Mines and Mineral Industries (Imidro) Done. Once the mineral is found, the area will be auctioned off to specialists, investors and private sector activists.

Closing remarks ...

As surface reserves run out one day, it is important to pay attention to depth. Deep exploration statistics in Iran are in no way comparable to developed countries. While the average depth of exploration in Iran reaches one meter, this figure is up to 400 meters in developed countries. Experts cite a number of reasons for this, including sanctions, rising dollar rates, poor access to equipment and machinery, poor allocation of funds to relevant centers, neglect of specialized manpower, and cumbersome regulations. Finally, experts believe that the exploration and exploitation of deep deposits with the aim of developing the mining sector and increasing the amount of definite mineral reserves in the country is possible with the sympathy and integrated cooperation of responsible government institutions, the private sector and academic centers.