SERVICES
With a rich heritage spanning over five decades, we have been the go-to choice for geoscientists and industry leaders seeking unparalleled technical expertise and professional services. Our commitment to excellence
has solidified our position as a leading provider in the industry.
We specialize in creating high-quality thin sections for a variety of scientific and industrial applications. Our experienced technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and meticulous techniques to ensure your thin sections are accurate representations of the original sample, enabling you to perform detailed analysis.
SAMPLE PREPARATION
We offer comprehensive petrographic description services to complement our high-quality thin section preparation. Our team of experienced petrographers delves into the microscopic world revealed within your thin sections, providing detailed characterizations that unlock valuable insights into the composition, history, and properties of your rock samples.
PETROGRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS
PETROGRAPHERS
John Payne
Senior Petrographer Ph.D. (1966)
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1974.
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Excellent working knowledge of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, porphyry Cu-Au deposits, vein, skarn deposits, PGE deposits.
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Regional geological and property mapping since 1967.
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Consultant since 1974, mainly in the North/South American Cordillera.
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Major exploration property mapping and petrographic studies: Campo Morado area, Mexico (VMS); Britannia, B.C. (VMS); Delta District, Alaska (VMS), Cariboo area, B.C. (VMS); Stewart-Sulphurets-Iskut River, B.C. (Au-Ag); Casino, Yukon (Porphyry Cu-Au-Mo); Talcuna, Chile (vein and breccia Cu); High Andes, Argentina (bulk Au-Ag); Pedra Branca, Brazil (PGE); Calico, California (bulk Ag); and Pebble Deposit, Alaska (Porphyry Cu Au-Mo).
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1974. Excellent working knowledge of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, porphyry Cu-Au deposits, vein, skarn deposits, PGE deposits. Regional geological and property mapping since 1967. Consultant since 1974, mainly in the North/South American Cordillera. Major exploration property mapping and petrographic studies: Campo Morado area, Mexico (VMS); Britannia, B.C. (VMS); Delta District, Alaska (VMS), Cariboo area, B.C. (VMS); Stewart-Sulphurets-Iskut River, B.C. (Au-Ag); Casino, Yukon (Porphyry Cu-Au-Mo); Talcuna, Chile (vein and breccia Cu); High Andes, Argentina (bulk Au-Ag); Pedra Branca, Brazil (PGE); Calico, California (bulk Ag); and Pebble Deposit, Alaska (Porphyry Cu Au-Mo).
Craig Leitch
Senior Petrographer B.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (1989)
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1986.
Exploration geologist since 1971. Experience in major exploration projects in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, and Turkey.
Specializing in Porphyry Cu/Mo/Au, VMS, Sedex Zn-Pb-Ag, Cu, lode Au-Ag (epithermal and mesothermal), magmatic Ni-Co-PGM.
Familiar with mafic/ultramafic chromite, chemical and clastic sediment-hosted Au, vein/stockwork Sn, skarn (W, Cu, Pb-Zn, Fe), REE carbonatite, uranium deposits.
Structural geologist mapping/consulting for major engineering firms since 1997 on major projects (mainly tunnels and tailings dam investigations) in Canada (Capilano-Seymour, Pingston, Sea to Sky Hwy, Kicking Horse Canyon, Galore Creek), Philippines (Casecnan), Argentina (Agua Rica), Greenland (Malmbjerg).
Research on Sullivan, B.C., Sheep Creek, Montana, Middle Valley (offshore black smokers), and Island Copper, B.C. at GSC, 1990-1995.
Taught ore petrology at University of British Columbia, Mining Geology at BCIT, 1985-1991; Introduction to Ore Deposits and Mineral Exploration at U.B.C. and Simon Fraser University, 1998-1999.
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1986. Exploration geologist since 1971. Experience in major exploration projects in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, and Turkey. Specializing in Porphyry Cu/Mo/Au, VMS, Sedex Zn-Pb-Ag, Cu, lode Au-Ag (epithermal and mesothermal), magmatic Ni-Co-PGM. Familiar with mafic/ultramafic chromite, chemical and clastic sediment-hosted Au, vein/stockwork Sn, skarn (W, Cu, Pb-Zn, Fe), REE carbonatite, uranium deposits. Structural geologist mapping/consulting for major engineering firms since 1997 on major projects (mainly tunnels and tailings dam investigations) in Canada (Capilano-Seymour, Pingston, Sea to Sky Hwy, Kicking Horse Canyon, Galore Creek), Philippines (Casecnan), Argentina (Agua Rica), Greenland (Malmbjerg). Research on Sullivan, B.C., Sheep Creek, Montana, Middle Valley (offshore black smokers), and Island Copper, B.C. at GSC, 1990-1995. Taught ore petrology at University of British Columbia, Mining Geology at BCIT, 1985-1991; Introduction to Ore Deposits and Mineral Exploration at U.B.C. and Simon Fraser University, 1998-1999.
Cathy M. Hamel
Senior Petrographer B.Sc., M.Sc. (1985), P.Geo.
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics with solid working knowledge of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, porphyry Cu-Au deposits, PGE, and Sedex deposits.
25+ years of petrographic experience in the evaluation of igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as sandstone, carbonate, and mudstone reservoir systems in Canada [Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, Beaufort-McKenzie Basin, Eastern Canada including offshore Newfoundland (Orphan, Flemish Pass, Jeanne d'Arc Basins), Labrador Shelf & the Scotian Margin], South America (Columbia, Argentina, Brazil), Africa (Egypt, Chad), Mexico (PEMEX) and the United States (Gulf of Mexico).
Extensive field lithological/structural mapping of the Circum-Ungava meta-sedimentary belt, Cape Smith volcanic-meta-sedimentary foldbelt (Ni-Cu-Co, Pt-Pd) and the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Implemented mapping and surface drilling program to determine the extension of The Lac Short gold deposit (Matagami-Chibougamau belt).
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics with solid working knowledge of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, porphyry Cu-Au deposits, PGE, and Sedex deposits. 25+ years of petrographic experience in the evaluation of igneous and metamorphic rocks as well as sandstone, carbonate, and mudstone reservoir systems in Canada [Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, Beaufort-McKenzie Basin, Eastern Canada including offshore Newfoundland (Orphan, Flemish Pass, Jeanne d'Arc Basins), Labrador Shelf & the Scotian Margin], South America (Columbia, Argentina, Brazil), Africa (Egypt, Chad), Mexico (PEMEX) and the United States (Gulf of Mexico). Extensive field lithological/structural mapping of the Circum-Ungava meta-sedimentary belt, Cape Smith volcanic-meta-sedimentary foldbelt (Ni-Cu-Co, Pt-Pd) and the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Implemented mapping and surface drilling program to determine the extension of The Lac Short gold deposit (Matagami-Chibougamau belt).