Personal views on the effectiveness of airborne EM in Australian mineral exploration: A client perspective

1998 ◽  
Vol 29 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 259-262
Author(s):  
James E. Hanneson
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Client Perspective ◽  
Airborne Em

Effect of tropical weathering on electrical and electromagnetic measurements

Geophysics ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Palacky ◽  
Kiyoshi Kadekaru
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Electromagnetic Measurements ◽  
Weathered Layer ◽  
Efficient Exploration ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Airborne Em

Electrical properties of the weathered layer in tropical regions of Brazil were investigated by means of resistivity soundings, airborne, and ground electromagnetic measurements. Five case histories illustrate how changes of climate, lithology, and geomorphology affect geophysical measurements. In humid and subhumid tropical regions (annual rainfall over 650 mm) the weathered layer is between 10 and 80 m thick and moderately conductive. Results from one region (Minas Gerais) indicate that excessive depth of weathering and leaching of massive sulfides, rather than the conductivity of overburden, present the greatest obstacle to effective use of airborne EM methods in mineral exploration. Seasonal variations of precipitation cause changes in soil resistivity, but such changes are not apparent in the underlying weathered layer. In semiarid and temperate regions of Brazil, the weathered layer is 10 to 20 m thick and regional airborne EM surveys are an efficient exploration tool. In all regions, the degree of weathering depends upon lithology and, in several areas, anomaly patterns obtained from airborne EM surveys correlate well with the surface geologic map. However, when comapring electrical properties of similar rock types among regions of the same climatic type, a considerable variation is observed. It seems that also geomorphology plays an important role in weathering. A careful interpretation of airborne EM data is necessary to distinguish anomalies caused by the weathered layer from those due to underlying conductors. Highly conductive, saline alluvia, which cause strong EM anomalies in Australia, were encountered (sporadically) in only one region of Brazil, the semiarid Valley of Curaçá, Bahia.

scholarly journals Drone-based electromagnetic survey system for geophysical applications

2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Markku Pirttijärvi ◽  
Ari Saartenoja ◽  
Pekka Korkeakangas
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Current Version ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Large Loop ◽  
Maximum Payload ◽  
Geotechnical Investigations ◽  
Survey System ◽  
Airborne Em

Geophysical electromagnetic (EM) methods are used in geological mapping, mineral exploration, groundwater studies and geotechnical investigations. Airborne EM methods have the benefit of avoiding terrain obstacles such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and ravines. Compared to manned aircrafts, drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have benefits of their own. Drone-based surveys are versatile, fast to deploy, economical and ecologically more friendly. Presently, magnetic surveying is the only geophysical method that is routinely conducted with drones. The modest maximum payload limit of drones imposes severe restrictions on the applicability of other methods including EM and radiometric methods, for example. Finnish company, Radai Ltd has been developing Louhi, a novel drone-based frequency-domain EM survey system, in an EU funded Horizon 2020 project NEXT – New Exploration Technologies. The EM system has two operation options – the first uses a large loop on the ground as an EM source and the other uses a small portable EM transmitter loop. Both systems utilize a stand-alone and light-weight three-component EM receiver that can be towed by a drone. This article presents the theoretical background of the EM methods, the solution developed by Radai Ltd, the current version of the EM device, and results from field and flight tests that demonstrate the applicability of the drone-based EM system under development.

scholarly journals Supervised Neural Network Targeting and Classification Analysis of Airborne EM, Magnetic and Gamma-ray Spectrometry Data for Mineral Exploration

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Karl Kwan ◽  
Stephen Reford ◽  
Djiba Maïga Abdoul-Wahab ◽  
Douglas H. Pitcher ◽  
Nasreddine Bournas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry ◽  
Classification Analysis ◽  
Airborne Em

Upernavik 98: reconnaissance mineral exploration in North-West Greenland

1999 ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjørn Thomassen ◽  
Johannes Kyed ◽  
Agnete Steenfelt ◽  
Tapani Tukiainen
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Geological Survey ◽  
Original Series ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
One Year

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Thomassen, B., Kyed, J., Steenfelt, A., & Tukiainen, T. (1999). Upernavik 98: reconnaissance mineral exploration in North-West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 183, 39-45. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v183.5203 _______________ The Upernavik 98 project is a one-year project aimed at the acquisition of information on mineral occurrences and potential in North-West Greenland between Upernavik and Kap Seddon, i.e. from 72°30′ to 75°30′N (Fig. 1A). A similar project, Karrat 97, was carried out in 1997 in the Uummannaq region 70°30′–72°30′N (Steenfelt et al. 1998a). Both are joint projects between the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP), Government of Greenland, and wholly funded by the latter. The main purpose of the projects is to attract the interest of the mining industry. The field work comprised systematic drainage sampling, reconnaissance mineral exploration and spectroradiometric measurements of rock surfaces.

Airborne geophysical surveys in Greenland – 1996 update

1997 ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Robert W. Stemp
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Magnetic Survey ◽  
Aeromagnetic Survey ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
South West ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
The Government ◽  
Airborne Geophysical Data

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Stemp, R. W. (1997). Airborne geophysical surveys in Greenland – 1996 update. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 176, 75-79. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v176.5069 _______________ Two major airborne geophysical surveys were carried out in 1996, the third year of a planned five-year electromagnetic and magnetic survey programme (project AEM Greenland 1994–1998) financed by the Government of Greenland, and the second year of an aeromagnetic survey programme (project Aeromag) jointly financed by the governments of Denmark and Greenland; both projects are managed by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). The two 1996 surveys were: 1) Project Aeromag 1996 in South-West and southern West Greenland;2) Project AEM Greenland 1996 in South-West Greenland. All areas surveyed and planned for future surveys as of March 1997 are shown in Figure 1. Results of both the 1996 surveys were released in March 1997, as a continuation of a major effort to make high quality airborne geophysical data available for both mineral exploration and geological mapping purposes. The data acquired are included in geoscientific databases at GEUS for public use; digital data and maps may be purchased from the Survey. The main results from the 1996 surveys are described in Thorning & Stemp (1997) and Stemp (1997). Two further new airborne surveys have already been approved for data acquisition during the 1997 field season, with subsequent data release in March 1998. A summary of all surveys completed, in progress or planned since the formal inception of project AEM Greenland 1994–1998 is given in Table 1. The programme was expanded to include a separate regional aeromagnetic survey in 1995, provisionally for 1995–1996, with extension subject to annual confirmation and funding.

Mafic igneous rocks and mineralisation in the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogen, South-East Greenland: project SUPRASYD 1996

1997 ◽  
pp. 66-74
Author(s):  
Henrik Stendal ◽  
Wulf Mueller ◽  
Nicolai Birkedal ◽  
Esben I. Hansen ◽  
Claus Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Border Zone ◽  
The South ◽  
East Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
Arc Setting

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Stendal, H., Mueller, W., Birkedal, N., Hansen, E. I., & Østergaard, C. (1997). Mafic igneous rocks and mineralisation in the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogen, South-East Greenland: project SUPRASYD 1996. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 176, 66-74. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v176.5064 _______________ The multidisciplinary SUPRASYD project (1992–96) focused on a regional investigation of the Palaeoproterozoic Ketilidian orogenic belt which crosses the southern tip of Greenland. Apart from a broad range of geological and structural studies (Nielsen et al., 1993; Garde & Schønwandt, 1994, 1995; Garde et al., 1997), the project included a mineral resource evaluation of the supracrustal sequences associated with the Ketilidian orogen (e.g. Mosher, 1995). The Ketilidian orogen of southern Greenland can be divided from north-west to south-east into: (1) a border zone in which the crystalline rocks of the Archaean craton are unconformably overlain by Ketilidian supracrustal rocks; (2) a major polyphase pluton, referred to as the Julianehåb batholith; and (3) extensive areas of Ketilidian supracrustal rocks, divided into psammitic and pelitic rocks with subordinate interstratified mafic volcanic rocks (Fig. 1). The Julianehåb batholith is viewed as emplaced in a magmatic arc setting; the supracrustal sequences south of the batholith have been interpreted as either (1) deposited in an intra-arc and fore-arc basin (Chadwick & Garde, 1996), or (2) deposited in a back-arc or intra-arc setting (Stendal & Swager, 1995; Swager, 1995). Both possibilities are plausible and infer subduction-related processes. Regional compilations of geological, geochemical and geophysical data for southern Greenland have been presented by Thorning et al. (1994). Mosher (1995) has recently reviewed the mineral exploration potential of the region. The commercial company Nunaoil A/S has been engaged in gold prospecting in South Greenland since 1990 (e.g. Gowen et al., 1993). A principal goal of the SUPRASYD project was to test the mineral potential of the Ketilidian supracrustal sequences and define the gold potential in the shear zones in the Julianehåb batholith. Previous work has substantiated a gold potential in amphibolitic rocks in the south-west coastal areas (Gowen et al., 1993.), and in the amphibolitic rocks of the Kutseq area (Swager et al., 1995). Field work in 1996 was focused on prospective gold-bearing sites in mafic rocks in South-East Greenland. Three M.Sc. students mapped showings under the supervision of the H. S., while an area on the south side of Kangerluluk fjord was mapped by H. S. and W. M. (Fig. 4).

Qaanaaq 2001: mineral exploration reconnaissance in North-West Greenland

2002 ◽  
pp. 133-143
Author(s):  
Bjørn Thomassen ◽  
Peter R. Dawes ◽  
Agnete Steenfelt ◽  
Johan Ditlev Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Mining Industry ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Original Series ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
North West ◽  
Ice Caps ◽  
High Plateau ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Inland Ice

NOTE: This article was published in a former series of GEUS Bulletin. Please use the original series name when citing this article, for example: Thomassen, B., Dawes, P. R., Steenfelt, A., & Krebs, J. D. (2002). Qaanaaq 2001: mineral exploration reconnaissance in North-West Greenland. Geology of Greenland Survey Bulletin, 191, 133-143. https://doi.org/10.34194/ggub.v191.5141 _______________ Project Qaanaaq 2001, involving one season’s field work, was set up to investigate the mineral occurrences and potential of North-West Greenland between Olrik Fjord and Kap Alexander (77°10´N – 78°10´N; Fig. 1). Organised by the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum (BMP), Government of Greenland, the project is mainly funded by the latter and has the overall goal of attracting the interest of the mining industry to the region. The investigated region – herein referred to as the Qaanaaq region – comprises 4300 km2 of ice-free land centred on Qaanaaq, the administrative capital of Qaanaap (Thule) municipality. Much of the region is characterised by a 500–800 m high plateau capped by local ice caps and intersected by fjords and glaciers. High dissected terrain occurs in Northumberland Ø and in the hinterland of Prudhoe Land where nunataks are common along the margin of the Inland Ice.

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