The Importance of Geology in Geothermal Development and Critical Minerals Development

Abstract

This paper provides a summary and overview of the geological features and processes vital in the identification and development of geothermal reservoirs, with special consideration to different categories of geothermal systems, and the relationships to critical mineral-rich brines. The methods used in this investigation included the review and evaluation of geological aspects of known reservoirs that have data consisting of well logs, cores, microseismic, and geochemical analysis of fluids. Specifically, faults and fracture networks, primary and secondary porosity, and diagenetic alteration (dissolution, precipitation, cementation, and more) were evaluated, including work with scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the timing, sequence, and processes in the diagenetic alteration.