Geophysicists use a host of advanced mining equipment to survey prospective new mining sites in Australia. Manufactured by established specialists, the type of underground mining equipment that is in use today is similar to the instruments that have been used for decades: the electrical resistivity survey method, for example, has been in use for more than a century. However, the latest models are more sensitive, more accurate and more reliable. Below, we take a closer look at the principal types of geophysical survey equipment in use today.
Types of Geophysical Survey Instrumentation in Use Today
Among the types of geophysical survey technologies used by mining and exploration companies in Australia, the following are most commonly encountered:
- Magnetic – The use of aerial magnetic survey equipment in mining helps experts to build a clearer geological picture of the areas they are investigating. It is particularly useful when trying to identify the nature of concealed bedrock and is often used to pinpoint the most promising locations for new drilling operations. A magnetic survey instrument is designed to illustrate the different levels of magnetic susceptibility in rocks that are present in the subsurface: areas that appear red or orange in the survey results are most likely to contain metallic minerals.
- Gravity – A survey instrument that measures acceleration due to gravity can be used to determine the density of rocks in the subsurface. This type of survey is normally conducted on the ground although airborne gravity surveys are becoming more popular as the unique engineering challenges it poses are now being solved. Rocks that contain valuable mineral deposits such as gold are typically denser than rocks that do not, such as sandstone, which means they are subjected to a greater gravitational pull.
- Electromagnetic – One of the most popular choices, electromagnetic surveys can be conducted on the ground or aerially. An electromagnetic survey instrument measures the electrical conductivity of the subsurface and can be used to search for conductive sulfide deposits. Base metals such as zinc, copper and lead are often present in these deposits, and sometimes silver and gold too. An IP instrument is one type of electromagnetic survey tool that is widely used to investigate the conductivity of rocks in the subsurface.
- Radiometric – A radiometric survey measures the gamma rays that are being emitted from rocks close to the surface. This type of survey is commonly used on areas of regolith (loose rock and dust that is sitting on top of bedrock) to determine the distribution of uranium, potassium or thorium in the locale. Many companies use radiometric surveys alongside aerial electromagnetic surveys when exploring new sites.
In addition to identifying the site of mineral deposits, all the technologies referred to above can be used to create an underground water detector. Electrical resistivity methods, for example, are often used to locate aquifers.Whether you are looking for a specific solution, such as an IP imaging system for groundwater, or you would like a more in-depth mining explanation of the above-mentioned survey types, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
