Overview:

Why do major mineral camps and deposits occur where they do, and how can that understanding guide the search for the next discovery?

This 3.5-day course develops a mineral systems approach to exploration, integrating geology, structure, geophysics, geochemistry and geological time. Participants work from craton-scale geological processes through to the practical decisions involved in identifying prospective areas and selecting drill targets.

Gold systems of Western Australia’s Archaean Yilgarn Craton provide the main case study and the basis for the practical exercises. The Yilgarn is exceptionally well studied, with extensive geological, geophysical, geochemical and geochronological datasets. This depth of evidence allows participants to examine how mineral systems develop through time, how processes connect across scales, and how independent observations can be brought together to test an exploration interpretation.

Selected Canadian examples, particularly from the Abitibi, will be included where they help illustrate key processes and exploration implications.

What Makes This Course Different

Participants build and apply a mineral systems interpretation, tracing the connections between regional geological evolution, mineral camps and individual targets.

The course emphasises:

·         Understanding why mineral camps and deposits occur where they do.

·         Integrating time, space and process into a coherent geological framework.

·         Connecting observations across craton, province, camp and deposit scales.

·         Testing whether independent datasets support the same interpretation, and recognising where evidence is incomplete or conflicting.

·         Translating geological understanding into predictions, mapping criteria and targeting decisions.

Content

The course is structured around four key themes:

1. 1. Mineral systems and scale

   Explore the processes required to form and preserve world-class mineral deposits, and how evidence for these processes changes with the scale of observation. Distinguish regional prediction from local detection, and consider what each contributes to exploration decisions.

   2. Building a time–space–event framework

   Bring stratigraphy, magmatism, deformation, metamorphism and mineralisation together through time. Through a sequence of exercises, participants build a framework for the Yilgarn case study and examine which events and relationships matter for understanding the mineral system.

   3. Spatial prediction and mineral potential mapping

   Use integrated geological and geophysical datasets to identify evidence for fertility, fluid pathways and depositional sites. Map-based exercises connect the geological framework to spatial criteria for assessing prospectivity, while considering uncertainty and gaps in the available evidence.

   4. From system to target

   Translate regional interpretations into exploration questions and targeting decisions from province to camp (approximately 5 × 5 km) and deposit (approximately 1 × 1 km) scales. Examine how local structures, geological relationships and geophysical and geochemical observations refine the regional prediction.

    

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

·         Explain how geological processes through time and across scales influence the location of mineral camps and deposits.

·         Construct and interpret a time–space–event framework to assess relationships between geological events and mineralisation.

·         Integrate geological, geophysical and geochemical evidence into a mineral systems interpretation.

·         Distinguish prediction from detection and select approaches appropriate to the exploration question and scale.

·         Translate mineral systems interpretations into spatial prospectivity criteria and practical targeting decisions.

·         Assess which parts of the workflow can be transferred to their own regions and commodities, and what local evidence is needed.

Who Should Attend

·         Exploration and mine geologists.

·         Generative and brownfields exploration teams.

·         Geological survey staff.

·         Geophysicists and geochemists seeking a broader geological and mineral systems perspective.

·         Geoscientists who want to integrate disparate datasets into exploration interpretations that can be tested.

The course is suitable for a range of experience levels, with concepts developed progressively. Geoscientists working outside Archaean terrains or gold exploration are welcome: the detailed examples focus on Yilgarn gold, while the integration and targeting workflow has wider application.

Format

·         Three and a half days of interactive lectures, practical exercises and discussion, with time for Canadian connections.

·         Progressive construction of a time–space–event framework.

·         Map-based exercises in spatial prediction and mineral potential mapping.

·         Selected Canadian examples and discussion of applying the approach to participants’ own exploration settings.

Additional time to work through the transition from regional prospectivity to camp (5 × 5 km) and deposit (1 × 1 km) scales.

Dr Richard Blewett (PhD, MBA, PSM) is a structural geologist with 40 years’ experience in geological research and mineral exploration. He specialises in mineral systems and the integration of geological, geophysical and geochemical data, with his approach developed through the pmd*CRC research program and subsequent work on Archaean terrains including the Yilgarn and Pilbara cratons. A former General Manager of the Mineral Systems Branch at Geoscience Australia, he now leads GeoSystems Consulting and is a co-founder of Weethalle Gold. His work spans research, precompetitive geoscience and practical exploration, with an emphasis on making structural geology and mineral systems thinking accessible and useful for exploration decisions.

$2,397 CAD: early registration (by Fri, December 4, 2026)  |  $2,697 CAD: late registration (after Fri, December 4, 2026)
(approximately $1,711 USD) |   (approximately $1,925 USD) 

Fee includes: (3) full days, catered lunch and breaks each day, shortcourse notes and participation certificate  
 

10% discount for 5 or more participants from within the same company. 5% discount for 3 or more participants from within the same company.

Payments accepted by cheque, wire and bank transfers, and all major credit cards.

Space is limited for all courses. Register early to avoid disappointment.
KLS Geological reserves the right to cancel short courses that do not meet the minimum attendance requirements.

Minimum of 16 participants required by the early registration date
Maximum of 30 participants overall

Register here by filling in the attached registration form, and sending it back by email, fax or by mail

Please contact Karie Smith at karie@klsgeo.com for more information....

Past Course Comments:

"An excellent, well-presented, 3-day course, that exceeded all expectations. I came for the mineral-systems but
got a bonus overview of the Yilgarn Craton and met loads of like-minded geologists during the many coffee and lunch
breaks. Regret that I could not make the dinners."
- Shawn Kitt, Principal Structural Geologist, Fairfield Pty Ltd.  - Perth, August 2026

"Province & regional thinking to identify drivers/reasoning as to why mineralisation forms deposits at 'camp' or local scale.
Thanks Richard."
- Thomas Langley, CEO-Geologist, Fortuna Metals Limited  - Perth, August 2026

"Moved through material at a pace that allowed the point to get thru and not be rushed to cover everything.
Good number of attendees on the course - enough to generate discussion & have varying skill sets but not so many as to be
unwieldy. Hotel was a good venue."
- Shane Miller, Geology Manager, Barking Outback  - Perth, August 2026

"The course material is well constructed addressing technical details, observations and interpretations. Richard is very
knowledgeable, patient and presents very well. The organization of the course is logical and easy to follow."
- Jon McLoughlin, Principal Geologist, Ora Banda Mining  - Perth, August 2026

"A large swath of data with a good foundation - enough of a basis considering the amount of info being presented."
- Owen Casey, Exploration Manager, Yandal Resources  - Perth, August 2026

"-Great integration of data from different scales (time & space).
-Strong overview of Yilgarn Geology Mineral Systems approach.
-Richard is very knowledgeable & delivers complicated content in a digestible way."
- Alex Van Leeuwen, Postdoctoral Researcher, Adelaide University - Perth, August 2026

"Great coverage of Yilgarn Geology and Synthesis of the mineral system components.
The discussion around different datasets for different scales was relevant for GSSA."
- Mitchell Bockmann, Geologist, Geological Survey of South Australia - Perth, August 2026

"Very detailed thorough course material, lot of prep gine into course. General to specific transition from day 1-3.
Enthusiastic instructor, well-presented, clearly explained. Activities breakup lecture material format allowed for
interesting discussions among group. Instructor encouraged discussion, flexibility w/ interpretations etc"
- Dillon Brown, Geologist, Geological Survey of South Australia - Perth, August 2026

"-Interactive, great to get off the laptop screen and do some hands-on activities
-Quite collaborative, good discussions and learning through interaction
-Loads of different data types synthesized into 3 days "
- Jeremy Asimus, Graduate Geologist, Geological Survey of Western Australia - Perth, August 2026

"The course is well structured, easy to digest new information over the period of 3-days. I liked the discussions and great learning experience."
- Neel Joshi, Graduate Geologist, Geological Survey of Western Australia  - Perth, August 2026

"Interesting course. Learning from an expert like Richard was a very valuable experience! Thank you for organizing!"
- Anonymous  - Perth, August 2026

"Material = All good
Instructor = perfect
Course organization = All good"
- Anonymous  - Perth, August 2026

"Great info, delivered well, structured well. Interesting, good flow, relevant for different knowledge levels.
Enjoyed the final practical exercise. Loved the talks & topic. Thanks!"
- Anonymous - Perth, August 2026

"Really liked the structure of the course. Building up the space time plot was a very effective way to teach the concept."
- Anonymous - Perth, August 2026

"Helped turn a complicated multi-scale and multidimensional region into an understandable and actionable story.  Topics covered in depth and yet explanations kept simple."
- Anonymous - Perth, August 2026

"The course material was very in-depth, thought out, detailed, insightful and relevant.  Richard and his wife were very helpful and knowledgeable.
Richard presented the course really well. The course was extremely  organised and all the exercises tied in nicely with the content.
I gained a lot from the course."
- Anonymous - Perth, August 2026

"[Strengths:] Instructor. Strong subject matter knowledge, personable & willing to discuss differing opinions. Broad scope of material for relatively short time, but well covered."
- Anonymous  - Perth, August 2026

"Well organised
Engaging instructor
Good to have practical component"
- Anonymous  - Perth, August 2026

"Got alot of it and hopefully can implement some of the concepts in our current roles."
- Anonymous  - Perth, August 2026