Geophysics in Australian mineral exploration

Abstract

I review a variety of recent case histories illustrating the application of geophysics in mineral exploration in Australia. Geophysics is now an integral part of most programs. Examples are given of contributions by geophysics to all stages of mineral exploration, from regional area selection through to mine planning and development. Specific case histories summarized are as follows: (a) Olympic Dam copper‐uranium‐gold deposit, discovered using a conceptual genetic model and regional geophysical data; (b) Ellendale diamondiferous kimberlites, illustrating the use of low level, detailed airborne magnetics; (c) Ranger uranium orebodies, discovered by detailed airborne radiometric surveys; (d) geologic mapping near Mary Kathleen with color displays of airborne radiometric data; (e) mapping of lignite in basement depressions of the Bremer Basin, near Esperance, with INPUT; (f) White Leads, a lead‐zinc sulfide deposit discovered with induced polarization (IP) and TEM, near Broken Hill; (g) Hellyer, a lead‐zinc‐silver‐gold deposit discovered with UTEM; (h) application of geophysical logging near Kanmantoo; (i) Cowla Peak, a subbituminous steaming coal deposit mapped with ground TEM; and (j) Cook Colliery, where high‐resolution seismic reflection methods have successfully increased the workable reserves.

Comparison of airborne and terrestrial gamma spectrometry measurements - evaluation of three areas in southern Sweden

“…Cresswell and Sanderson Airborne gamma spectrometry (AGS) is a swift and effective technique when broad geographic regions must be surveyed. Its applications include mineral exploration (Smith, 1985), geological mapping (Zhang et al, 1998), environmental assessment and assessment of uranium mine site rehabilitation (Bollhöfer et al, 2008;Martin et al, 2006), fallout mapping (Mellander, 1998) and radioactive source search (Cresswell and Sanderson, 2009;Ulvsand et al 2003). If the survey area is small, ground based mobile gamma spectrometry can be a good alternative or complement to AGS.…”

Airborne gamma survey of the historic Sleisbeck mine area in the Northern Territory, Australia, and its use for site rehabilitation planning

“…Airborne gamma surveys (AGS) are most commonly used for mineral exploration (Smith, 1985). However, several recent studies have shown their usefulness for abandoned mine site characterization (e.g.…”

Use of Airborne γ-Ray Spectrometry for Environmental Assessment of the Rehabilitated Nabarlek Uranium Mine, Australia

“…Airborne γ radiometric surveys have been used extensively over several decades for mineral exploration and geological mapping purposes (Galbraith and Saunders, 1983;Smith, 1985;Zhang et al, 1998). In recent times, increasing attention has been paid to the effect of geochemistry and geomorphology on the signal, and hence the use of the technique for soil mapping and for land management applications (Cook et al, 1996;Dickson and Scott, 1997;Wilford et al, 1997;Pickup and Marks, 2000).…”