Geosoft DAP ProjectsDelivery and Retrieval of Digital Exploration Data
Anglo American Exploration required a solution for efficiently delivering large volumes of geoscientific data to their global network of geoscientists. The company evaluated Geosoft DAP technology and is currently proceeding with a DAP implementation. As part of the successful trial, a Geosoft DAP Server was interfaced with an Oasis montaj client for the delivery of geoscientific data within their Internal network of geoscientists. These data were of various native formats (MapInfo, Geosoft, Arcview, geo-referenced raster imagery) as well as different map projections. The metadata catalogue documented approximately 2,500 individual data themes, and could be processed by the Cataloguing Utility in about 20 minutes.
Rio Tinto Deploys DAP as part of their Exploration Data Management (EDM) Strategy
Rio Tinto Exploration implemented Geosoft DAP as part of its Exploration Data Management (EDM) system after a focused development effort in 2002. Kennecott Exploration, a division of Rio Tinto Exploration, carried out the pilot project. “Our decision to invest in exploration data management was based on the anticipated benefits of improved decision making, process efficiencies and cost savings,” says Bill Whalen, IT Manager for Kennecott Exploration. “With the new system, instead of spending weeks gathering and sorting historic exploration data, geoscientists will be able to access the data at their desktops in a matter of minutes.” > Case Study
Online Geoscience Data Repository
Free viewing and downloading of national gridded geophysical data sets is now available online at http://gdr.nrcan.gc.ca/index_e.php. Data is delivered via a new web mapping application utilizing Geosoft's Data Access Protocol (DAP) technology. The web application combines a web map server interface with a data delivery system for gridded aeromagnetic, gravity and radiometric data. Clients can interactively select an area, specify an appropriate projection, and download the data in a large number of standard formats, all at no cost. The application was developed and implemented using Geosoft Inc.'s DAP (Data Access Protocol) technology. It is the first stage in a CCGK project to deliver geophysical and geochemical data online. Later stages will deliver additional gridded data sets, georeferenced images, and profile data, as well as improvements in the functionality of the interface.
National Digital Geophysical Data Retrieval System
The Geological Survey of Botswana (GSB) required data distribution technology capability of delivering thousands of megabytes of geoscientific, exploration data to their Data Retrieval System (DRS) staff and their customers. Their needs included having a survey metadata capture interface, a survey management interface, a customized user interface to view and access available data and a map creation facility. In order to meet their data distribution requirements, the GSB has implemented a National Digital Geophysical Data Retrieval System utilizing DAP technology, to deliver windowed and reformatted data to the user. The Geosoft DAP data server was interfaced with an Oasis montaj client for internal data retrieval. Users are able to access data in their coordinate system, with instant reprojection, reformating and resampling of the data to meet their format requirements.
Life Cycle Data Management for Ordnance and Explosives Projects
A key disadvantage of all these methods is that they do not allow for timely review and oversight of a contractor's geophysical data by US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Mailing data can require a turnaround of several days and often results in project delays and missed opportunities to identify problems early and apply corrective actions where appropriate. Even an email or an FTP transfer is problematic because the party on the receiving end must download the entire file, including all associated files that might be needed, and reconstruct the viewing environment prior to performing any effective review. In order to better meet their geophysical project data management needs, USACE conducted an evaluation of Geosoft DAP (Data Access Protocol) technology to determine its suitability for use in facilitating their concept of Life Cycle Data Management for OE projects. Geosoft DAP viable and useful technology for performing reviews of geophysical datasetsThe evaluation determined that the DAP Server technology is a viable and useful technology for performing reviews of geophysical datasets during active projects. DAP was found to be beneficial in allowing users to quickly and easily access and review geophysical data that is stored on a remote server. Even large datasets can be accessed used the DAP Server, as this technology dynamically streams only the relevant data in the viewing window to the client. The client software is easy to install, and straightforward to learn and use. On the whole, it was determined that DAP technology could have a major role in filling the information exchange needs of USACE, contractors, and other stakeholders. Geosoft DAP SolutionFor this project, a centralized server (the 'DAP Server') was implemented by Geosoft at Geosoft's office in Toronto. This server contained all of the files created as part of the geophysical investigation for this particular project, including historical data, supporting data (including GIS data) and project documents. A 'catalog' of these files was created using DAP server tools, and the DAP Server exposed this catalog to the client software (Oasis montaj) over the internet. The user could then choose which files to view and download, without worrying about formats or having to reproject the data. Geosoft has built tools for the DAP Server to assist in both cataloging the data and managing the server side functions.
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"Being involved in the evaluation of DAP Technology and working with the Geosoft team in development of a DAP Server implementation for our organization has been a rewarding experience, and is leading to what promises to be a truly exciting data management product." Russ Fenton, Anglo American Exploration (Canada) Ltd. 
“The DAP server has been critical to us. In fact, two years ago we wouldn't have been able to build the Exploration Data Management system because the technology didn't exist. We are highly dependent on rasters and DAP's speed in serving up these grids and images from very large databases is very impressive.” - Bill Whalen, IT Manager, Kennecott Exploration, a divison of Rio Tinto Exploration
Geological Survey of Canada, a component of Natural Resources Canada,
has released its web mapping application for public viewing and downloading of geophysical data as a contribution to the Earth Sciences Sector program, Consolidating Canada's Geoscience Knowledge (CCGK).
“DAP technology addresses the efficient finding, evaluation and retrieval of large spatial datasets on networks. It is optimised for our industry's needs.” Hudson Ngwisanyi, Geological Survey of Botswana 
The timely exchange of digital data in the course of conducting an Ordnance and Explosives (OE) project is a critical consideration. In the past, during both Engineering Evaluation/Cost Analysis (EE/CA) projects and Removal Actions, geophysical and GIS datasets have often been exchanged by attaching the data to emails, or by FTP transfer. Larger digital datasets are typically sent by burning the data onto a CD-ROM and express mailing it. On a very few occasions, GIS data for an OE project has been made available through the use of a Web-based GIS application that allows for live retrieval and viewing of data. No such live on-line capability has ever been implemented for geophysical datasets.