Basin analysis using seismic interpretation as tools to examine the extent of a basin ore 'play'

Stratiform and stratabound base metal ores typically form in sedimentary basins during the overall rifting process with mineralising fluids transported along the growing normal faults. Understanding the detailed structural evolution, i.e. the timing, the growth and the extent of the faults, and the distribution and thickness of the syn-faulting sedimentary packages, is critical for focusing exploration efforts. In this paper, we describe how seismic interpretation and basin analysis techniques can help to do this. We assess the potential for Pb-Zn mineralisation within the Northumberland Trough, northern England, in the context of the wider Early Carboniferous basin evolution and the associated base metal ores. Through structural interpretation of seismic reflection data, we consider the detailed evolution of the fault geometries and sedimentation in time and space, to show the extent and distribution of the Early Carboniferous faulting and growth packages at depth in the study area. We conclude that basin evolution and structural framework in northern England is very similar to that associated with the significant Pb-Zn mineralisation in Ireland. We suggest a refined model for the Carboniferous evolution of this part of the basin. The study demonstrates how the techniques of basin analysis can be a used in ore exploration to establish whether the basic structural and sedimentary framework exists to enable mineralisation. In addition to assessing the general potential of base metal mineralisation, a more precise identification of potentially suitable areas for further investigation can be made. The seismic data and basin analysis approach used in this paper and exemplified through the Northumberland case should be directly applicable to any basin ore 'play' associated with rifting and/or sedimentation. The added, significant advantage of this method is the ability to assess the 3D fault geometries, including fault linkage and growth in space and time, and the associated sedimentation - an unachievable outcome if relying solely on other geophysical and geological data traditionally used in regional ore exploration

A Soft Systems Methodology for Business Creation:The Lost World at Tyseley, Birmingham

Much has been written about the benefits of green infrastructure, but securing the resources necessary for its development and long-term maintenance is often difficult. This article’s premise is that, in general, people and organisations will take action to provide those resources when they can see value accruing to them; therefore narratives of value generation and capture (our definition of business models) are required to motivate and support that action. This article explores the application of soft systems methodology to the wicked problem of business model development in the context of a social enterprise, using a case study based on a piece of green infrastructure in the city of Birmingham, UK, called The Lost World. The research involved a workshop with several of The Lost World’s key stakeholders and aimed at identifying: The Lost World’s scope as a business; its potential value streams; and how they might be realised in a social enterprise. Analysis of the findings shows that while stakeholders can identify opportunities for their organisations, bringing those opportunities to fruition is difficult. The research demonstrates a compelling need for social entrepreneurs to act as catalysts and long-term enablers of the formulation and maintenance of businesses and business models—vital missing actors in the ambition to transform cityscapes

Synthesis of ProByFish modelling approach and the effect of TACs for target species on bycatch species

   The ProByFish study was initiated to assist in the development of methods to evaluate the impact of different fisheries management options on the objectives of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The study developed robust methods to a) define target and bycatch species and b) to divide the bycatch species into valuable and collateral bycatch species, the first generally retained on board and landed and the latter generally discarded. The classification of a species depended on the fleet and area in which the fleet operates. The study also identified species which can only sustain low levers of fishing and proceeded to include examples of these in mixed fisheries models.  This report describes the work under the study to analyse of effect of TACs for target species on fishing mortalities of hybrid, valued and collateral bycatch species assuming different management strategies to define TACs for the target species, while no management applies on the bycatch species. The analyses were conducted in a mixed fisheries Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) framework to examine the probability that single stock TACs are sufficient under natural variability, mixed fishery dynamics and management strategies. The result shows that the effect of changing the species on which to define a TAC are minor compared to the effects concerning the uncertainty around the implementation of the landing obligation.</p