Applications of underground synthetic electrical surveys in searching for non-ferrous metal deposits ? some case histories.

Abstract

This paper presents some field examples of using borehole electrical surveys to search for blind metals deposits, and demonstrates the value of borehole electrical surveys. In a magnetic intrusion type Ni deposit, downhole SP found an off-hole orebody. A 3-D model was set up and used to find a new orebody. Downhole IP surveys have been carried out in several metal deposits, with good results. Downhole IP, resistivity, PEM, EM wave and applied potential methods have been used to solve different geological problems. These case histories illustrate that under-ground synthetic electrical surveys not only have more power to detect off-hole ores, but also can provide abundant information for determining geological structure, 3-D mapping and ore genesis. During exploration underground synthetic electrical survey can save drilling effort, decrease the time of exploration and reduce the cost.