Case Studies - Mineral Exploration

Cominco- ABM Deposit

Kudz Ze Kayah Massive Sulphide Project - Southeast Yukon

The Cominco ABM Deposit is an inferred resource of 13 million tonnes of 5.5% zinc, 1% copper, 1.3% lead, 125g of silver and 1.2g of gold per tonne. It is located in the southeast Yukon. The polymetallic massive sulphide body has an east/west strike length of 700m, has a width of 18m, and extends 400m down dip (to the north).

900 Hz Coplanar Resistivity

The coplanar 900 Hz apparent resistivity, calculated using the pseudo-layer halfspace model, defines the shape and size of the deposit, under 2-10m of conductive glacial drift.

Total Magnetic Field Data

The total magnetic field data clearly defines an isolated 700 m long, north dipping narrow magnetic body. It stands out from the surrounding, less magnetic felsic pyroclastics, aphanitic massive ryholites and metasiliclastic rocks of the Yukon-Tanan terrain.

Profile Line A-B

The digital profiles clearly show the degree of correlation between the coaxial EM anomaly over the near surface edge of the body, and the magnetic anomaly. The coplanar 900 Hz depth channel indicates the dip of the conductor. The shallow dip makes the deposit more attractive as it can be mined by open pit methods. The apparent resistivity decreases with decreasing frequency indicating a strong bedrock conductor beneath the conductive overburden.

Data courtesy of COMINCO LTD.