Reflection Seismic Surveys at St Ives Gold Mine, WA

Abstract

In September 2002 a medium resolution seismic reflection survey was undertaken at the St Ives gold field, Western Australia. The data were acquired by the Australian National Seismic Imaging Resource (ANSIR) using two Hemi60 vibrators and an ARAM24 acquisition system. The data were processed, and correlated with drillhole geology and drillhole geophysics to facilitate interpretation. The seismic sections demonstrate that seismic reflection is effective at imaging stratigraphy and structure in Archaean terrains, even at relatively shallow depths (less than 500m). A package of strong reflections is associated with the mafic stratigraphy at St Ives. A complex pattern of reflectors at the Victory Mine is correlated with a fault network interpreted from drilling. Results indicate that seismic reflection could be used for the discovery of new gold orebodies in this mature exploration province.