About
VanPetro
Since 1972, geoscientists and industry leaders have used the technical and professional services of Vancouver Petrographics Ltd.
From preparing slide sections to in-depth petrographic analyses, we provide quick, confidential and courteous service with an emphasis on quality.
In addition to our full range of petrographic services, we have developed specialized techniques in the preparation of thin sections of unusual materials such as soluble minerals, soil, clay, fossils, archaeological artifacts and kimberlites.
Our team of experienced technicians and highly qualified petrographers are here to assist you. We have worked with just about every rock and industrial mineral, so you can rest assured, we have the knowledge and experience to tackle whatever your needs require.
Our Clients Include
PUBLIC
The Geological Surveys of Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. And their respective provincial, state, and region-based geological agencies.
ACADEMIC
Universities from around the world including Queen’s, Victoria, McGill, Laurentian, British Columbia, Calgary, Manitoba, Regina, McMaster, Ottawa, Toronto, McGill, California, Massachusetts, Indiana, Indiana State, Tennessee, Yale, Harvard, Iowa, Georgia, Texas, Alaska, Wisconsin, Copenhagen, Western Australia, Brazil, Athens, Italy, Geneva, France, Germany, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, China, Africa, Cameroon, Chile, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and Mexico.
PRIVATE
Thousands of companies including industry-leading mining companies from around the world.
THE ORIGINAL FULL SERVICE PETROGRAPHIC LAB
Our Petrographers
Fabrizio Colombo
Senior Petrographer M.Sc., Ph.D. (1996), P.Geo.
Fabrizio has been a senior petrographer at Vancouver Petrographics since 2010. He has more than 20 years of experience in the petrographic analysis of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, and geomaterials.
Fabrizio has conducted petrographic studies in Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, the Central African Republic, China, Sri Lanka, Romania, Tunisia, Spain, Antarctica, and Italy.
He has mapped and managed exploration projects for base and precious metals in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, China, Spain, and for industrial minerals in Italy, Tunisia, and Romania.
He has applied petrography to the conservation and restoration of cultural materials; to environmental impact assessment and treatment of solid mine waste; and to the characterization of building stone, aggregate, and concrete.
He combines optical microscopy with electron optic analytical techniques (SEM-EDS and electron microprobe), cathodoluminescence, spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and image analysis.
John Payne
Senior Petrographer Ph.D. (1966)
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1974.
Excellent working knowledge of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, porphyry Cu-Au deposits, vein, skarn deposits, PGE deposits.
Regional geological and property mapping since 1967.
Consultant since 1974, mainly in the North/South American Cordillera.
Major exploration property mapping and petrographic studies: Campo Morado area, Mexico (VMS); Britannia, B.C. (VMS); Delta District, Alaska (VMS), Cariboo area, B.C. (VMS); Stewart-Sulphurets-Iskut River, B.C. (Au-Ag); Casino, Yukon (Porphyry Cu-Au-Mo); Talcuna, Chile (vein and breccia Cu); High Andes, Argentina (bulk Au-Ag); Pedra Branca, Brazil (PGE); Calico, California (bulk Ag); and Pebble Deposit, Alaska (Porphyry Cu Au-Mo).
Craig Leitch
Senior Petrographer B.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. (1989)
Senior Petrographer for Vancouver Petrographics since 1986.
Exploration geologist since 1971. Experience in major exploration projects in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iran, and Turkey.
Specializing in Porphyry Cu/Mo/Au, VMS, Sedex Zn-Pb-Ag, Cu, lode Au-Ag (epithermal and mesothermal), magmatic Ni-Co-PGM.
Familiar with mafic/ultramafic chromite, chemical and clastic sediment-hosted Au, vein/stockwork Sn, skarn (W, Cu, Pb-Zn, Fe), REE carbonatite, uranium deposits.
Structural geologist mapping/consulting for major engineering firms since 1997 on major projects (mainly tunnels and tailings dam investigations) in Canada (Capilano-Seymour, Pingston, Sea to Sky Hwy, Kicking Horse Canyon, Galore Creek), Philippines (Casecnan), Argentina (Agua Rica), Greenland (Malmbjerg).
Research on Sullivan, B.C., Sheep Creek, Montana, Middle Valley (offshore black smokers), and Island Copper, B.C. at GSC, 1990-1995.
Taught ore petrology at University of British Columbia, Mining Geology at BCIT, 1985-1991; Introduction to Ore Deposits and Mineral Exploration at U.B.C. and Simon Fraser University, 1998-1999.