scholarly journals Application of quaternary geology to mineral exploration, Timmins-Val d'Or mining District (parts of 31 M, N; 32 C, D; 41 O, P; 42A, B, G, H)

1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
R G Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Quaternary Geology ◽  
Mining District

Enhancing base-metal exploration with seismic imagingThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme Lithoprobe — parameters, processes, and the evolution of a continent.

2010 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 741-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Eaton ◽  
Erick Adam ◽  
Bernd Milkereit ◽  
Matthew Salisbury ◽  
Brian Roberts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Base Metal ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Geophysical Methods ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Borehole Data ◽  
Minimum Thickness ◽  
Metal Mining

Commencing in 1988 and continuing for 5 years, Lithoprobe acquired a series of high-resolution seismic experiments within and near base-metal mining camps in Canada, including the Abitibi subprovince of Quebec and Ontario, the world-class Sudbury Ni–Cu mining district, the Buchans mine in Newfoundland, and the Thompson Ni belt in Manitoba. This work, undertaken in close cooperation with the Geological Survey of Canada and major Canadian mining companies, stimulated an intensive and broadened series of followup studies with the common objective of assessing potential applications of multichannel seismic (MCS) imaging for deep mineral exploration and mine development. This research was motivated by a widely recognized disparity between the depths from which ores can be profitably mined (up to 2 km or more) and the resolving depths (typically <500 m) of commonly used geophysical methods for mineral exploration. Initial rock-property studies established that the expected contrast in acoustic impedance between ores and host rocks should be sufficient to generate observable reflections and (or) scattered waves. For an ore deposit to be directly detectable with MCS, however, it is also necessary for it to meet geometrical criteria including a minimum thickness of 1/8 wavelenth (typically ∼5 m) and a lateral extent similar to the Fresnel radius (typically ∼100 m). Both Lithoprobe and followup seismic studies, calibrated with borehole data, reveal that lithologic contacts that are characterized by large impedance contrast and significant lateral continuity, such as igneous intrusive contacts between mafic and felsic rocks, are the most likely features to be imaged with the MCS techniques. In some camps such as Buchans, however, faults and shear zones are better imaged than lithologic contacts. In either case, these studies show that well-designed and carefully processed seismic profiles can provide a valuable geophysical tool for interpreting the stratigraphic and structural framework of mineral systems and, more rarely, direct-detection capabilities for deep ore deposits.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation Based Targeting of the Magushan Skarn Cu–Mo Deposit, Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt, China

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xunyu Hu ◽  
Xiaohui Li ◽  
Feng Yuan ◽  
Alison Ord ◽  
Simon M. Jowitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Sedimentary Cover ◽  
Mineral Deposit ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Gangue Mineral ◽  
Additional Tool ◽  
Metallogenic Belt ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
Lower Yangtze

The Magushan Cu–Mo deposit is a skarn deposit within the Nanling–Xuancheng mining district of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt (MLYRMB), China. This study presents the results of a new numerical simulation that models the ore-forming processes that generated the Magushan deposit and enables the identification of unexplored areas that have significant exploration potential under areas covered by thick sedimentary sequences that cannot be easily explored using traditional methods. This study outlines the practical value of numerical simulation in determining the processes that operate during mineral deposit formation and how this knowledge can be used to enhance exploration targeting in areas of known mineralization. Our simulation also links multiple subdisciplines such as heat transfer, pressure, fluid flow, chemical reactions, and material migration. Our simulation allows the modeling of the formation and distribution of garnet, a gangue mineral commonly found within skarn deposits (including within the Magushan deposit). The modeled distribution of garnet matches the distribution of known mineralization as well as delineating areas that may well contain high garnet abundances within and around a concealed intrusion, indicating this area should be considered a prospective target during future mineral exploration. Overall, our study indicates that this type of numerical simulation-based approach to prospectivity modeling is both effective and economical and should be considered an additional tool for future mineral exploration to reduce exploration risks when targeting mineralization in areas with thick and unprospective sedimentary cover sequences.

MAGNETIC AND VLF-EM SURVEYS OF THE MOGOLLON MINING DISTRICT, CATRON COUNTY, NM: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE MINERAL EXPLORATION

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles F. Hoffman ◽  
◽  
Kevin L. Mickus ◽  
Kevin L. Mickus ◽  
Gary S. Michelfelder ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Mining District
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document