Access mineral deposits Web map server

Simplified 1-2-3 help larger image [JPEG, 326.7 kb, 589 X 550, notice]

Use the tools along the top of the map window:

to select data sets to display on your map, to zoom, pan, and change extents, display summary information about individual features, and to query using the contents of the mineral deposit databases available on the server. You can select either World or Canada Views in the banner at the top of this page. The map layers delivered will vary accordingly, but you will have access to the same selection of mineral deposit databases.

A powerful query and data extraction application GQuery that will allow you access to the mineral deposit databases in greater depth. For help in graphic form, use the presentation MapServer-GQuery.

1. To make a map:
   Add map layers by clicking the [Select Layers] button above the map window to activate the drop-down menu. After checking the layers you want, press the update map icon and the map will redisplay. Legends for the layers you select will be displayed beneath the map.

2. To zoom in:
   Activate the icon and either place your cursor on the central part of the map area that you wish to enlarge to or place the cursor at the upper left corner of the area and drag it to the lower right to create a bounding box. The map will redisplay.

3. To zoom out:
   Activate the icon and place your cursor on the central part of the map area that you would like to zoom out to in the main map window or in the index map to the upper right of the main map area.

4. To zoom to full extents:
   Activate the icon . The map will immediately redisplay.

5. To zoom to a bounding box or point using known coordinates:
   Activate the icon . A dialogue box will open in which you type in XY coordinates for the bounding box in the top pane or the coordinates of a point in the bottom pane..

6. To recentre the map area:
   Activate the icon and click on a new central point in the main map window or the index map to the upper right.

7. To view attribute information associated with map features:
   Activate the information icon , and click on the map in the area of interest.

GQuery is a browser-based query-display-data extraction tool. It was developed by DM Solutions Group to work with University of Minnesota's MapServer and to replicate some of the capabilities of the downloadable program developed by Robert Laramée, Geological Survey of Canada.

1. To access mineral deposit database contents:
   Activate the icon . This will open a pop-up window, therefore pop-up windows must be enabled in your Internet browser.

   Once 'GQuery' window is launched, re-use the same window (generally registered along the bottom status bar of your screen) to avoid starting too many sessions, losing the connection to the current database, and losing query expressions that you may want to re-use.

   To view web pages showing the full data contents for any deposit, you will need the user name and password provided by request on opening web site (Back up using your browser if you forgot). You only have to obtain this once and save it somewhere. Once you have opened the first web page and entered your user name and password, leave the page alone and you will not be prompted when viewing other pages.

2. To open a database:
   Press the [Open...] button above the grid. After picking a database, select whether you wish to query deposits or deposit groups (generally collections of related deposits). Deposit groups should be chosen for Porphyry-related deposits, but for all others Deposits should be chosen. A grid will open listing summary information including latitude and longitude for all deposits in the database that you have chosen. The numbers on the left side contain hotlinks to the web pages for each deposit. The Info menu item on the upper right menu strip will display the database compilers, and release information.

3. To view web pages showing the full data contents for any deposit:
   Click on the hot-linked number on the left margin of the grid. Once you have opened the first web page and entered your user name and password, leave the page alone and you will not be prompted when viewing other pages.

4. To filter the database:
   Press the [Filter...] button along the top to narrow down the selection on the grid to target deposits with attributes that you are interested in. An expression dialogue will open from which you can build a new expression, combine expressions, remove expressions, and apply them to the summary grid. You can even view the SQL statements that are created by building query expressions.

5. To create a query expression:
   Press the [New...] button to the top left of the dialogue. A new dialogue window will then display the topics stored in the database as a directory tree along the left hand side.

   Steps:

   1. Select a table (i.e. topic) by highlighting its caption (in blue), and the tables query-able attribute fieldnames and their captions will be listed in the 'Select field' pane.
   2. Select the field name in blue and the 'Build expression' pane will be populated.
   3. Build the expression using the tool provided. Click Add in the status bar at the base of the window, and the expression will be added to the list of expressions in your 'Expression' window.

6. To check the results of your expression:
   Highlight it and press the [Apply] button on the bottom status bar. The deposits conforming to your query expression will be displayed in the grid. You can use the hotlinks to view the entire database contents for each deposit you have selected. You will need the username and password, but if you leave the first web page open, you will only have to enter it once.

7. To try other expressions, and combine expressions:
   Return to the 'Build filter' window and add new expressions. Expressions can be combined to form new expressions using the [Combine...] dialogue and choosing the expressions to combine and the Boolean operator (And, Or, or Not) to apply.
   Warning: There is a limit to the number and complexity of the expressions that can be applied during a session because of memory limitations.

8. To download a CSV file of the current summary table:
   Press the [Export..] menu item above the GQuery grid. A standard web download dialogue will open prompting you to open or save the grid.

9. To apply your selection to the map:
   Press the [Apply to Map] button above the grid. A dialogue box will open prompting you to choose a symbol shape, size and colour. Press the [OK] button to cause the map window to become active. Point symbols will be applied to the map and to the legend beneath it.

10. To end your session:
    Once you have obtained the data that you need, close each GQuery window and then close the map server to end the session.