HOW TO SPACE GEOLOGICAL SAMPLES

Atoka was the first company to push forward the use of grids. Atoka’s personnel and owner all having mining background where geochemical surveys utilizing grids has been common place for over three decades. The grid approach to sampling was developed in World War II to search for submarines. Grid spacing is based on the premise that if the grid is fine enough then statistically it will be possible to define the target or all the targets within the grid. Therefore knowing target size is critical to a successful survey.

The use of line data can be quite useful for reconnaissance work in terms of a new basin or for a land sale but for defining a target area for drilling or a seismic survey it has, at least in recent years, a low chance of success. Most companies that push this method are either desperate for business or the client probably cannot even afford to lease the land. They typically, beyond reconnaissance mode, are a waste of time.

For a gird, if the target size is known then spacing can be determined. A target that is 320 acres in size, Atoka recommends a 2/10ths of a mile spacing across a 3 mile square area. This will allow a potential 12 to 24 samples to fall on top of or adjacent to the target. The additional data provides good background coverage so statistical analysis of the data is simplified and more definitive.

Larger targets can allow a wider spaced sample grid; smaller targets require a tighter spacing. Atoka is always ready to help in laying out a grid for sampling. Please call us at your convenience.