Amira Global P1335 Geodynamic Andes eXploration Initiative
The global energy transition has spurred an unprecedented surge in demand for critical minerals, essential for the production of renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced battery storage systems. Over the next 20 to 30 years, this demand is projected to escalate dramatically, necessitating a robust and strategic approach to mineral exploration. In mineral exploration, traditional strategies are being challenged by greenfield discoveries, soaring costs, and heightened scrutiny of environmental and social impacts. To meet these burgeoning needs, collaboration across sectors and borders will be paramount. Governments, mining companies, and research institutions must work together to innovate and implement sustainable exploration practices. In response to these challenges, Amira Global has developed the P1335 Geodynamic Inheritance & eXploration (GAXI) program, which aims to revolutionize how we discover precious mineral deposits. This collaborative effort will ensure the efficient discovery, extraction, and processing of critical minerals while minimizing environmental impacts and promoting economic growth in diverse regions around the world.
Besides the trend of decreasing greenfield discoveries of precious and base metal deposits over the last decades, demanding ever more cost- and time consuming exploration efforts, the mining industry is facing increasing hardship in adjusting to the changing future needs of technological, critical, and staple metal supply. Furthermore, the final frontiers of prospective, unexplored terrain bring about new challenges with respect to environmental and social impacts. Commonly, previous exploration strategies are recognized in hindsight, but are mostly relevant for advancing exploration progress in already discovered brownfields, with little significance for the prediction of new targets.
Thus, the Center for Exploration Targeting in collaboration with Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU) of James Cook University is developing the GAXI Project, which aims to provide a novel approach towards the productiveness of new greenfield discoveries, reducing time, cost, and social impact. Our strategy is superior to previous exploration efforts, in that we directly address the fundamental core processes of the mineral systems concept. Instead of focusing on specific deposit styles and types, or specific metals and/or their associations, the GAXI Project is outlined to decipher the key aspects of the spatial distribution and the genesis of mineral systems, and the essential link and relationship between ore-forming processes and the localization of deposits
P1335 Geodynamic Inheritance & eXploration (GAXI) is aimed to address fundamental outstanding knowledge gaps in our understanding of the spatial distribution and the genesis of economic mineral systems along the South American Gondwana margin to develop future novel industry-relevant targets and target criteria as part of an advanced unified exploration framework. The pivotal concept of the GAXI Project is founded in the critical notion of ancient geodynamic inheritance as a key mechanism for the temporal-spatial and genetic control on deposit superclusters at long-lived accretionary margins, focusing on the South American Andes.
Unlike conventional exploration strategies, which often focus narrowly on specific deposit styles or metals, GAXI takes a holistic approach. By exploring the fundamental links between ore-forming processes and deposit localisation, GAXI seeks to unlock new avenues for discovery while simultaneously streamlining exploration efforts. At its core, GAXI is built upon a foundation of ancient geodynamic inheritance—a concept that offers profound insights into the spatial distribution and genesis of economic mineral systems along the South American Gondwana margin. This unique perspective serves as the driving force behind the project’s mission to understand and harness the complex processes that shape mineral deposits. With support from industry leaders such as BHP, Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, B2Gold, and Minera Poderosa. The research team, led by Dr. Daniel Weimer from the Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU) of James Cook University and Dr. Steffen Hagemann from the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) GAXI is positioned to make significant strides in mineral exploration. Key milestones, including the project kickoff in early June 2024, mark the beginning of an exciting journey toward uncovering industry-relevant targets within a sophisticated exploration framework.
The Road to Success
The GAXI Project will open new opportunities for the education of a future work force in both academia and industry. We provide PhD and MSc programs and the training of geologists and staff of our collaboration partners. Furthermore, besides the development of novel exploration workflows, the GAXI Project aims to advance the frontiers of analytical techniques, which will assist the targeting of prospective areas for a more sustainable and efficient future in mineral exploration.
Amira Global invites collaboration and support from industry leaders, researchers, and stakeholders alike. Sponsorship opportunities will remain open for the remainder of 2024 and early 2025, offering a unique chance to be part of this transformative initiative. Together, we can unlock the future of mine safety and ensure a sustainable and prosperous mining industry for generations to come.
