Technical Papers - Airborne Electromagnetics

Airborne EM Survey over the Groote Eylandt Manganese Mine, Australia

Richard Irvine, Condor Consulting, Inc. and Harald Berents, Garrisons Pty. Ltd.

Abstract

A GEOTEM airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey was flown over the Groote Eylandt manganese mine in May 1991 to characterise the conductivity and magnetic properties of the manganese ore and host rocks, in order to assess if AEM was viable in exploration for such a deposit type. Strong EM responses correlated with most of the known manganese ore zones. Subsequent drill hole EM surveys confirmed the conductive nature of most of the different types of ore. These results demonstrate that AEM is a cost-effective method of reconnaissance exploration for Groote Eylandt style manganese, providing the host rocks are comparatively resistive.

SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts

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