Clifford R. Stanley received his A.B. degree (1980) in earth sciences (Dartmouth College) and his M.Sc. (1984) and Ph.D. (1988) degrees in geological sciences (UBC). After a post-doctoral fellowship in numerical petrology (University of Calgary, 1989) and research associateship in applied geochemistry (Queen’s University, 1990-1991), Cliff joined the mineral Deposit Research Unit (UBC) as an adjunct professor (1992-1998) managing major porphyry Cu-Au and lithogeochemical exploration research projects. In 1999, Cliff became an assistant professor in applied geochemistry/economic geology at Acadia University (Wolfville, Nova Scotia), and is presently an associate professor in their Department of Earth and Environmental Science.

Stanley has published more than 40 refereed articles and presented over 150 talks/posters, but is best known for his development of frequency distribution modelling software (ProbPlot) for exploration geochemistry/ore reserve assay data, and for contributions to the development/application of molar element ratio analysis of lithogeochemistry data in mineral exploration. Recently, he has contributed to the development of unbiased measurement error assessment in ore resource datasets via several papers. In 2003-2004, Stanley served as distinguished lecturer for the Association of Applied Geochemists, and has won a number of professional presentation awards, including the Boldy Award from the Mineral Deposits Division (GAC).

Quality Assessment and Control in Mining and Mineral Exploration: A Modern Day How-to

Abstract: Historically, motivations to assess the magnitude of sampling and analysis error in exploration and mining samples were largely driven  by exploration geologists seeking knowledge about how far they go with the interpretation of their geochemical data, and mine geologists looking to satisfy banks considering the risk associated with financing of a recently discovered ore deposit. In contrast, in our post-Bre-X world, security exchanges require far more rigorous and onerous analysis of measurement errors, largely because these efforts make detection of fraudulent practice easier to spot. Unfortunately, many of the statistical procedures presently used to undertake such assessments were developed in the pre-computer age and lack the advantages that statistical theory enhancements can offer. Modern statistical procedures afford geoscientists  the ability to accurately and precisely assess and control the measurement errors in their geochemical determinations and assays. These new procedures thus offer significant advantages in mining industry applications. In this lecture, the use of these new data quality assessment techniques is described and illustrated in both mineral exploration and mining milieus.

Many of the statistical procedures presently used today to undertake analysis of measurement errors, were developed in the pre-computer age and lack the advantages that statistical theory enhancements can offer. Modern statistical procedures afford geoscientists the ability to accurately and precisely assess and control the measurement errors in their geochemical determinations and assays. These new procedures thus offer significant advantages in mining industry applications. In this lecture, the use of these new data quality assessment techniques is described and illustrated in both mineral exploration and mining milieus.