Mining

Regardless of your target, be it ore-bodies, paleochannels, or groundwater, output models that can be used quantitatively, and not just qualitatively can be achieved via proper inversion of calibrated AEM data. Learn more about the need to describe and model correctly the full transfer function of the AEM systems from this expanded abstract, awarded the special mention for technical excellence at SAGA 2009.

Figure below shows the excellent agreement between output of laterally constrained inversion of VTEM data, and borehole information from a Manganese deposit in Australia. 

Uranium mineralization often occurs within sedimentary paleochannels. In this case the laterally and spatially constrained inversion can allow a detailed mapping of the host of the mineralization. We present here data from the Pells Range survey in Australia. It has been interpreted using both laterally-constrained inversion and spatially-constrained inversion. See Quasi-3D modeling of airborne TEM data by spatially constrained inversion (PDF). Uranium mineralisation identified during previous exploration occurs within paleochannels containing interbedded zones of carbonaceous siltstone. Gamma logging of regional drillholes has demonstrated an association between the carbonaceous content within the sandstone and uranium mineralisation. See: High-Resolution Near Surface Airborne Electromagnetics – SkyTEM Survey for Uranium Exploration at Pells Range, WA (PDF). Figure below shows the 50-60 m depth slice from the SCI. An anomalous zone of elevated conductivity, ~3 km in N-S extent, can be identified within the sandstone, highlighted by the yellow arrow. These anomalous conductors were interpreted as being palaeochannels which contain carbonaceous material, and host the uranium mineralisation. Several well-defined paleochannels could be identified in this and other depth slices. Analysis of deeper depth slices indicated that the depth to the channels increases to the NW, consistent with the known geology.