HTEM Regional Surveys Applied to Mineral Exploration in Brazil - Two Case Studies and Future Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A.C. Couto ◽  
R.C.R. Ferreira ◽  
O.F. Baltazar ◽  
R. Wosniak ◽  
J.C.S.A. Araújo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Future Perspectives

Systematic survey of K, Th, and U signatures in airborne radiometric data from Australian meteorite impact structures: Possible causes of circular features and implications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Niang ◽  
David Baratoux ◽  
Dina Pathé Diallo ◽  
Pierre Rochette ◽  
Mark W. Jessell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Crustal Deformation ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Impact Event ◽  
Systematic Survey ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Radiometric Data

ABSTRACT Airborne radiometric (gamma-ray) data provide estimates of the concentrations of potassium (K), thorium (Th), and uranium (U) in soil, regolith, and bedrock. Radiometric data constitute an important source of geochemical information, commonly used in mineral exploration and for geological mapping of Earth and other planets. Airborne radiometric data have rarely been applied to the exploration and analyses of impact structures, in contrast with other conventional geophysical tools (e.g., gravimetry, magnetism, and seismic reflection/refraction). This work represents the first systematic survey of the K, Th, and U radiometric signatures of Australian impact structures, based on the continent-wide airborne radiometric coverage of Australia. We first formulated several hypotheses regarding the possible causes of formation of circular radiometric patterns associated with impact structures. Then, the radiometric signatures of 17 exposed impact structures in Australia were documented. Our observations confirmed the supposition that impact structures are commonly associated with circular radiometric patterns. We then selected the five structures with the most prominent circular radiometric patterns (Gosses Bluff, Lawn Hill, Acraman, Spider, and Shoemaker), and we discuss the possible origin of these anomalies. Based on these five case studies, we argue that such patterns result from either crustal deformation induced by the impact event and/or from postimpact superficial processes controlled by the crater topography. This work also suggests that airborne radiometric data may be useful, in combination with other geophysical tools, in the search for new possible impact structures.

3D inversion of resistivity and IP data, two case studies from mineral exploration

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Kowalczyk ◽  
Scott Thomas ◽  
Syd Visser
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
3D Inversion

The Social Dimensions of Mineral Exploration

SEG Discovery ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 16-28
Author(s):  
Sarah Mackenzie ◽  
Jo-Anne Everingham ◽  
Pam Bourke
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Strategic Investment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Many ◽  
Positive Engagement

Editor’s note: The Geology and Mining series, edited by Dan Wood and Jeffrey Hedenquist, is designed to introduce early-career professionals and students to a variety of topics in mineral exploration, development, and mining, in order to provide insight into the many ways in which geoscientists contribute to the mineral industry. Abstract Geoscientists are often the first point of contact a local community has with a company conducting mineral exploration. The behavior of the geoscientists and the interest they take in understanding the local community and stakeholders will have ramifications well beyond their direct exploration activities. This article highlights some of the positive and negative impacts exploration can have for local communities (in part drawing on interviews with experienced geoscientists and others involved in exploration). The article explores the increasing complexity of deposits in terms of environmental, economic, social, and political parameters and the increasing scrutiny by local stakeholders and the international community. We argue that, although geoscientists are not social performance specialists, they still need the awareness, tools, and capabilities to understand and manage the social aspects of their exploration activities commensurate with the stage and resourcing of the project. We propose three interrelated aspects of social performance that can be applied during mineral exploration: meaningful and positive engagement, acquiring and documenting a social knowledge base, and strategic investment in the community. Two case studies provide cautionary examples of failure to do so and two case studies highlight how, through careful engagement and strategic collaboration, mutually beneficial and positive relationships can be built from early exploration.

Case studies and future perspectives

2013 ◽  
pp. 146-166
Author(s):  
P. P. Mujumdar ◽  
D. Nagesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Future Perspectives

scholarly journals The Rocklea Dome 3D Mineral Mapping Test Data Set

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carsten Laukamp ◽  
Maarten Haest ◽  
Thomas Cudahy
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Test Data ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Hyperspectral Data ◽  
Mineral Deposits ◽  
Drill Core ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mineral Mapping ◽  
Barren Ground

Abstract. The integration of surface and subsurface geoscience data is critical for efficient and effective mineral exploration and mining. Publicly accessible datasets to evaluate the various geoscience analytical tools and their effectiveness for characterisation of mineral assemblages and lithologies or discrimination of ore from waste are however scarce. The open access Rocklea Dome 3D Mineral Mapping Test Data Set (Laukamp, 2020; https://doi.org/10.25919/5ed83bf55be6a) provides an opportunity for evaluating proximal and remote sensing data, validated and calibrated by independent geochemical and mineralogical analyses, for exploration of channel-iron deposits (CID) through cover. We present hyperspectral airborne, surface and drill core reflectance spectra collected in the visible-near infrared and shortwave infrared wavelength ranges (VNIR-SWIR; 350 to 2500 nm), as well as whole rock geochemistry obtained by means of X-Ray fluorescence analysis and loss on ignition measurements of drill core samples. The integration of surface with subsurface hyperspectral data collected in the frame of previously published Rocklea Dome 3D Mineral Mapping case studies demonstrated that about 30 % of exploration drill holes were sunk into barren ground and could have been of better use, located elsewhere, if airborne hyperspectral imagery had been consulted for drill hole planning. The remote mapping of transported Tertiary detritals (i.e. potential hosts of channel iron ore resources) versus weathered in situ Archaean geology (i.e. barren ground) has significant implications for other areas where cover (i.e. regolith and/or sediments covering bedrock hosting mineral deposits) hinders mineral exploration. Hyperspectral remote sensing represents a cost-effective method for regolith landform mapping required for planning drilling programs. In the Rocklea Dome area, vegetation unmixing methods applied to airborne hyperspectral data, integrated with subsurface data, resulted in seamless mapping of ore zones from the weathered surface to the base of the CID – a concept that can be applied to other mineral exploration and mineral deposit studies. Furthermore, the associated, independent calibration data allowed to quantify iron oxide phases and associated mineralogy from hyperspectral data. Using the Rocklea Dome data set, novel geostatistical clustering methods were applied to the drill core data sets for ore body domaining that introduced scientific rigour to a traditionally subjective procedure, resulting in reproducible objective domains that are critical for the mining process. Beyond the already published case studies, the Rocklea Dome 3D Mineral Mapping Test Data Set has the potential to develop new methods for advanced resource characterisation and develop new applications that aid exploration for mineral deposits through cover. The here newly presented white mica and chlorite abundance maps derived from airborne hyperspectral highlight the additional applications of remote sensing for geological mapping and could help to evaluate newly launched hyper- and multispectral spaceborne systems for geoscience and mineral exploration.

scholarly journals Muon geotomography: selected case studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 377 (2137) ◽  
pp. 20180061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Schouten
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Path Length ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Density Model ◽  
Radiographic Image ◽  
Material Density ◽  
Muon Tomography

Muon attenuation in matter can be used to infer the average material density along the path length of muons underground. By mapping the intensity of cosmic ray muons with an underground sensor, a radiographic image of the overburden above the sensor can be derived. Multiple such images can be combined to reconstruct a three-dimensional density model of the subsurface. This article summarizes selected case studies in applying muon tomography to mineral exploration, which we call muon geotomography. This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.

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