Geological data flow and structure at BPM-Brazil

Decisions and calculations during the exploration and evaluation phases are based on information collected at an earlier stage involving areas such as topography, geophysics, geochemistry, petrography, rock mechanics, chemical analysis, drillhole surveying etc. Part of these data is collected directly in the field, part comes from later analyses, and part is conditioned to personal or subjective decisions. In these processes, data are accessed and manipulated, while graphics and calculations are produced. A healthy flow of data, an easy way for retrieval and a secure mode for their organization and archiving are essential to high quality work. In this paper the way in which this is done by BPM-Brazil is shown. Emphasis here is given to the conceptual model behind the Data Base Project. Field information flow and data organization are also presented and discussed. In this way, all the information compiled is integrated, and is used through the particular userviews, to help the decision process in the different phases of mineral exploration.