SRK Exploration Services (SRKES) has experienced dynamic growth in business over the past 36 months. Since its inception in 2003 the SRKES team, led by Gareth O’Donovan, has grown to over 10 geologists and GIS specialists and a number of associates offering specialised services.
The scope of deliverable services provided ranges from competent person’s reporting and auditing through to direct project management, drill program design and sampling protocol implementation. Our clients include both juniors and majors and our geographic footprint reaches over 30 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and South America. SRKES works on a variety of commodities, including: iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, copper, tin, tantalum, bauxite, molybdenum, magnesite, chromite, lead and zinc.
With additional funding from the Welsh Development Agency SRKES established a state-of-the-art GIS suite in our Cardiff offices. This new capability allowed the expansion of our existing services and the use of a powerful tool for project data management, remote imagery interpretation and target generation.
In the year ahead, in conjunction with SRK offices around the world, SRKES aims to expand its team and scope of services.
Regional Focus - FSU
From the outset, SRK Exploration Services have been very keen to develop the provision of western mining exploration services and practices in the former states of the Soviet Union (FSU). Along with UK staff, SRKES has developed a core team of Russian exploration specialists and field personnel for management and field roles, supporting projects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and the Ukraine, and covering a wide range of commodities. Specific services include: data management and review, field management and drilling supervision, project auditing, QA/QC assessments and laboratory audits. Over the coming year SRK Exploration expects to support the recently established SRK office in Moscow. This is an essential step toward defining our presence in these countries.
Commodity Focus - Uranium
SRK Exploration has been commissioned to work on a series of uranium projects over the past 12 months. These projects involve a variety of requirements in uraniferous regions in Burundi, Colombia, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mali, Niger and Zambia.
In Mali and Niger, SRKES conducted a preliminary assessment of known uraniferous areas leading to a shortlist of prospective areas that were followed up by arranging reconnaissance permitting. During a month-long expedition to the permitted areas, SRK Exploration’s team made geological observations supported by radiometric ground survey data. The client used the final report to develop their future strategy in the region.
In June 2006, SRKES undertook a similar project in Madagascar. After a data review and field visit, we submitted a technical report assessing the potential of a large historically producing region. On the basis of this report, SRKES drew up plans for a three-month reconnaissance program to assess the prospectivity of adjacent areas. Once initiated, this program will include geochemical and geophysical prospecting supported by GIS data processing and target generation. Detailed follow-up exploration is planned if results meet expectations.
Projects in other countries combine data reviews, target generation and permitting advice. Over the coming year, SRKES aims to develop additional exploration capabilities and increase our knowledge in this commodity.
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