Innovations in Airborne

Exploration Geophysics Benedikt Steiner

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What is exploration geophysics?

The use of the Earth‘s physical properties in locating geological features of interest to mining.

Magnetics, Electromagnetics, EM, Gravity, etc.

Source: BGR

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What is exploration geophysics?

Alternative: intrusive investigation (drilling, trenching or pitting), but this is expensive.

Geophysics is:

• Typically an order of magnitude less expensive

• Can cover a much larger proportion of a site on a much smaller grid

• Relatively quick and easy to mobilise, minimal environmental disturbance

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Industry views

“High-tech devices and geophysical surveys are very rarely of value in

mine discovery. There should be an almost metaphysical

communication between the rocks and the successful explorationist in

which the rocks talk to the explorationist. If he turns part of this job of

geological mapping over to a high-tech gadget, he may look good to

uniformed management, but he is less likely to find a mine.”

Dave Lowell, Infomine.com, 2015

I do not agree.

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Frontier Region: NW Zambia

Transported Kalahari sand in far NW Zambia (~100m thick)… ineffectiveness of directly targeting soil geochemical anomalies… strong reliance on geophysics & regional geology

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Frontier Region: NW Zambia

Magnetics TMI

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Innovations and Technology Wish List

Innovations will largely be based on the development of sensor devices and new airborne technology

• SQUID

• Airborne IP

• Drone-mounted local surveys

• Semi-automated and automated processing software and related computing power

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Example: SQUID

Low temperature Superconducting Quantum Interference Device

• Highly sensitive instrument that combined with TDEM can measure extremely weak electromagnetic fields

• Particularly useful for finding buried metallic deposits (e.g. nickel sulphides) that are masked by conductive overburden. Enhances late time signal (depth).

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Example: SQUID

Conductive

overburden

Lee et al. (2002)

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Key references

Lee, J.B., et al. 2002. Airborne TEM surveying with a SQUID

magnetometer sensor. Geophysics, Society of Exploration

Geophysicists, 82 (2), 468-477.

Weinstock, H., Overton, W.C., (Eds.), 1981. SQUID Applications to

Airborne Geophysics. Society of Exploration Geophysicists, 206 pp.

Airborne Geophysics: Policy and

non-policy enabling factors

(Current Situation)

Benedikt Steiner

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Research & Development

Currently R&D are the main technical drivers

behind developments in airborne

geophysics.

• Deposit type/ technology-specific

• EU Raw Materials Initiative 2008, Horizon

2020, etc.

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Sustainable and Green Mining Approaches

The development of ‘clean’ exploration

methodologies warrants the development of

advanced geophysical instrumentation (and

software packages), ideally with minimal

environmental impact.

• Tekes Green Mining Programme, Finland.

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Sustainable and Green Mining Approaches

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Sustainable and Green Mining Approaches

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Sustainable and Green Mining Approaches

ArjunGUI was developed for the rapid inversion of airborne TEM anomalies

caused by conductive targets of possible economic interest.

One of the outcomes of the Tekes Green Mining Programme.

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Other policies

• EU Aviation Strategies and Laws

• National Tax Policies

• EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EWG

See Part 3 – Policy and Development

Wishlist

Airborne Geophysics and

Exploration: Policy and

Development Wishlist

View from an explorer in the field.

Benedikt Steiner

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1. Technological advances

Innovations will largely be based on the

development of sensor devices and new

airborne technology (drones, 4D, analytics, IT)

We need:

• Applied research to develop such technology

• Governmental or EU funds and initiatives to

advance technology (Horizon 2020 et al.)

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2. EU Aviation Laws and Acts

Some EU countries need to catch up with

and standardise Aviation Laws.

Aim: improve the legal useability of UAVs

Regulation requirements involve keeping UAVs within the

operators’ sight, not flying within <10kms of villages or airports

and giving the aviation agency notification of every flight, even

when done in remote locations. Fines can be unexpectedly high.

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3. Licensing & National Tax Policies

Securing exploration ground is not straightforward everywhere, e.g. land ownership (UK).

North vs. South. Relative ease of obtaining licenses in Scandinavia vs. challenges in central Europe (e.g. German federalism).

Policies should aim to simplify and speed up the tenure application and management process throughout Europe. Tax benefits for explorers are also regarded as additional encouragement.

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4. Role of Governmental Surveys

Provision of high quality, national/ regional geoscientific datasets free of charge and easily accessible for the explorer.

Great examples: Scandinavia, Ireland/ UK, Spain

Central and Eastern Europe are way behind and will have to catch up soon.

Policy and financial support of EU and national governments.

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5. Role of Academia and Education

Provision of hands-on geologists and geophysicists capable of running, processing and interpreting geophysical surveys.

Increase focus on non-seismic research and teaching.

Current students learn more maths than getting ‚boots on the ground‘ and generating targets.

Getting fresh graduates up to speed: 5-10 months.