Application of coupled deformation, fluid flow, thermal and chemical modelling to predictive mineral exploration

The mineralisation process consists of complex interaction and feedback bet ween mechanisms involving deformation, fluid how, thermal transport and che mical reactions. Through quantitative modelling of specific regions with de tailed structure and simple 'what-if' scenarios, we may explore and provide bounds for the various parameters involved in mineralisation and even dete rmine parameters critical for predictive exploration. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence B.V. All rights reserved.