Application of electrical techniques for iron ore exploration

Abstract

Geophysics has been used in iron ore exploration in the Hamersley Basin for more than twenty years. The use of the magnetic technique for structural and lithological mapping has been well documented. While direct detection of hematite mineralisation through this method has been reported, this is not believed to be a reliable means of targeting iron ore. The application of other techniques, including the radiometric, gravity and electrical methods is not well covered in literature. Geophysical methods have been applied to aid mapping of the Giles Mini martite?hematite deposit. Regional lithomagnetic units and late stage faults are identified in magnetic data. However, layer-parallel faulting cannot be identified by this technique. Ground electrical methods, on the other hand, have proved to be a useful tool in tracking not only outcropping lithologies to depth, but also detecting and mapping the fault system truncating the orebody to the north.