Geo-semantics and ontologies: an approach to decode gold mineral systems using controlled vocabularies
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Gold exploration is a challenging and costly endeavour that requires a deep understanding of the geological processes that control the formation and distribution of gold deposits in a given crustal architecture. Mineral systems models are conceptual frameworks that describe the essential components and processes of mineralisation, such as sources, potentials, pathways, preservation, and traps. These models can help guide exploration strategies and reduce risk by providing a holistic and dynamic view of the mineral system. However, mineral systems models are commonly expressedas natural language, which can be ambiguous, inconsistent, and difficult for different stakeholders to interpret. Moreover, natural language models are not easily integrated with other data sources, information and knowledge, such as geological maps, geospatial data, experimental results, and environments relying on machine-readable semantics such as knowledge graphs. Therefore, there is a need for a more formal and standardised way of representing and communicating mineral systems models.One possible solution is to use controlled vocabularies, which are sets of terms that define the concepts and relationships of a specific domain. Such vocabularies can help encode mineral systems models in a machine-readable and interoperable format, facilitating data integration, analysis, and visualisation. Controlled vocabularies can also help decode mineral systems models by providing clear and consistent definitions and explanations of the model components and processes. Furthermore, controlled vocabularies can enable semantic reasoning and inference, enhancing the discovery and validation of mineral systems models. For example, controlled vocabularies can allow a logically consistent comparison of mineral systems models to assess plausibility and delineate which model components are supported by empirical evidence, as well as those that require assumptions based on expert knowledge. This paper presents a case study using controlled vocabularies to decode mineral systems models for gold exploration. The Mineral Systems Critical Components Controlled Vocabulary (MSCC CV) is introduced. An Au mineral systems model is described that shows different modes of mineralisation that occur in varied geological settings. We use graphs to visualise these results (a.k.a “knowledge graphs”). The benefits and challenges of using controlled vocabularies for decoding mineral systems models are discussed, and recommendations for future work are provided.
Authors: Lindsay, Mark, Villacorta Chambi, Sandra Paula, McFarlane, Helen, Gessner, Klaus, Gray, Erin
Language: English
Topic: Semantic Web and Ontologies
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6893372267