NGIS COURSE: ArcGIS for Mining and Exploration

This 3-day ArcGIS for Mining & Exploration course has been designed specifically for those working in the mining and exploration industry. The course uses geospatial datasets, aerial photography, drilling results specific to the mining industry, and practical exercises that are typical of the tasks and problems faced by those modelling spatial information in mineral exploration and production.

PRE-REQUISITES: No previous experience with ArcGIS software is required, although experience with using Microsoft Windows is essential.

TOPICS:
- ArcMap Basics: An introduction to the ArcMap application interface and the main tools used to view and navigate datasets, including utilising the Magnifier and Overview windows.
- Exploring Datasets with ArcCatalog: Using the search function in ArcCatalog to search for datasets based on attribute and geographical properties; previewing datasets, connecting to data locations and working with metadata.
- Working with Map Documents: Creating and saving ArcMap Map Documents; creating spatial bookmarks and interrogating the map to identify features.
- Creating Layers from Datasets: Add and symbolise datasets to create functional layers in ArcMap; set coordinate systems; georeference imagery and create labels.
- Symbolise Geoscientific Data: Create a field observations point layer from a comma separated text file; use an observation attribute to set the angle of symbols; create and symbolise a faults line layer.
- Internet Data: Search and load datasets into ArcMap from multiple locations, including servers from the Department of Mines and Petroleum in Western Australia.
- Create and Edit Datasets: Create shapefiles and Geodatabases; create points, lines and polygon features; explore snapping and advanced editing of tenement data.
- Exploring Attribute Tables: Joining tables; creating summary data; creating new columns and editing cell values for tables; and creating table queries.
- Making Maps: Set up and create an effective and functional map using insets and overviews, incorporating titles, legends, grids and graticules and scale bars.
- Graphs: Create graphs, represent drillhole assays and collar data within ArcMap and then present the graphs on a map layout.
- ArcToolbox: View and utilise a sample of the many wizard driven tools available in ArcToolbox such as intersecting, defining a coordinate system for a layer, appending features and creating a new dataset.

PRACTICAL EXERCISES:
- Exercise 1 : GIS Exploration Project
- Introducing ArcMap; Setting MapTips; Overview Window; Magnifier Window; Optional Exercise – Viewer Window
- Exercise 2 – Map Document Basics: Ordering Layers; Finding Features; Attribute Tables; Identifying Features; Measuring; Navigating with Go To XY; Bookmarks; My Places; Layouts; Optional Exercise – Using Find and Identify Tools; Test Your Knowledge: Review a Map
- Exercise 3 – Changing Display of Data ; Start ArcMap; Modifying Your Map Document; Layer Display Scale; Renaming Layers; Display Features by Category; Display Features by Quantity; Adding Labels; Transparency; Optional Exercise – Raster Symbology
- Exercise 4 – Using Catalog and Search: What Is ArcCatalog?; Opening the Catalog Window; Connecting to Your Data; Using Catalog Window; Finding Data in a Table; Using the Description View; Viewing CAD Files via Catalog Window; Optional Exercise – Configuring Catalog Window Defaults; Optional Exercise – The ArcToolbox Window
- Exercise 5 – Working with Coordinate Systems: Map Coordinate Systems; Layer Coordinate Systems; Coordinate Systems in Catalog Window; Transformations; Projecting Data; Optional Exercise – Searching for Tools; Optional Exercise – Defining Coordinate System; Optional Exercise – Batch Project; Optional Exercise – Favourite Coordinate Systems; Optional Exercise – Albers Coordinate System for Western Australia
- Exercise 6 – Creating a New Map Document: Adding Data with Catalog Window; Grouping Layers; Saving Group Layers; Hyperlinks; Optional Exercise – Definition Query
- Exercise 7 – Symbolising Geoscientific Data; Accessing Data from a comma separated Text File (*.Csv); Creating an Event Layer; Creating a Shapefile from an Event Layer; Symbolise the Map Layer; Stacked Labels; Optional Exercise – Advanced Labelling
- Exercise 8 – Exploring Attribute Tables: Joining Tables; Create Summary Data; Create a New Field
- Table Queries; Calculating Areas; Advanced Queries; Select by Location
- Exercise 9 – Symbolising Data by Attributes: Symbolising by Category; Symbolising by Quantity; Graduated Symbols; Symbolising With Multiple Attributes; Optional Exercise – Customising Symbols
- Exercise 10 – Creating A Geodatabase: Create a New Shapefile; Create New File Geodatabase; Geodatabase Domains; Create a Feature Class; Creating Additional Feature Classes; Import a Shapefile into the Geodatabase; Import Table Data into the Geodatabase; Import Assay Data; Optional Exercise – Import Shapefiles into a Geodatabase; Optional Exercise – Cad Tools
- Exercise 11 – Creating Features (Editing): Annotations; Creating Points; Creating Polylines; Creating Polygons; Adding Polygon Attributes; Snapping and Advanced Shape Editing; Optional Exercise – Cutting Holes in Polygons; Optional Exercise – Merging Polygons; Optional Exercises – Buffering and Clipping; Optional Exercises – Intersecting and Appending
- Exercise 12 – Presenting Your Work (Cartography): Creating a Map; Set Projections; Map Scales; Page Size Properties; Grids and Graticules; Graphic Elements; Extent Indicators; Legends; Printing or Exporting Maps; Optional Exercise – Using Map Templates
- Exercise 13 – Georeferencing: Raster Data and Georeferencing; Georeferencing using GPS Point Data; Georeferencing an Image against another Image; Optional Exercise – Georeferencing CAD Data
- Exercise 14 – Graphs: Creating a Graph; Adding a Table to a Layout; Producing a Map with Graphs and Tables; Duplicating Maps; Optional Exercise – Experimenting with Graph Options; Optional Exercise – Spatial Join
- Exercise 15 – Base Maps and Internet Data Sources: Online Basemaps; GIS Servers; Optional Exercise – Accessing other Services