Using AMT in the new Zambian copperbelt (Enterprise and Kansanshi case study)

Abstract

During 2012 and 2013 FQML through its Zambian exploration team acquired about 300 line kilometres of Audio magneto telluric (AMT) survey for copper and nickel exploration in the north western Zambian copper belt. Kansanshi mine and the new $2bn Kalumbila (Enterprise Nickel deposit) development project are the survey locations (see Figure1). Hence this paper is a case study discussing major aspects of the projects including but not limited to major outcomes, difficulties encountered as well as solutions for futures data acquisition in similar geological settings. Stunning results were achieved whereby basement fault and many interesting geological features were identified (See Figure 2, Tm mode section along Line 19) over Enterprise and doming structures in Kansanshi (See figure 3).However limiting factors such as mine equipment noise, accessibility, swamps, tropical rain forest and wild life were some downside during the survey.