Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia, Volume 26, April 1990, pp. 21 – 33
1B, Penlu, Tuckingmill, Camborne, Cornwall, TRI 48NL, England.
“‘He must have the greatest skill in his work, that he may know first of all what mountain or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most profitably, or what he should leave alone”.
Agricola: De Re Metallica
Abstract: It is pointed out that a strange hill and its immediate surroundings should always be regarded as a target for prospectors. Strangely, this fact has generally not been emphasised by 20th. century writers of books, etc., on mineral exploration and the geology of ore-deposits.
For the purpose of this paper a hill is regarded as strange if one or more of the following criteria apply to it:-
(i) it dominates a comparatively flat terrain;
(ii) it differs significantly in shape from its neighbours;
(iii) it has an unusual geologic setting;
(iv) it stands out from the general terrain because of its plan-shape;
(v) it possesses an anomalous ornamentation;
(vi) it possesses anomalous geochemical and/or geophysical characteristics. (These are not discussed in the text.)
Finally, it is suggested that a law should be established that for the sake of brevity should read “‘If you know of a strange hill prospect there”.
https://doi.org/10.7186/bgsm26199003
