Mining Geophysics Course

Lesson 1 • Role of Geophysics in Mining

Defines how geophysics fits within the mineral exploration and production workflow. Establishes the value proposition that motivates method selection throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Physical Properties of Rocks and Minerals

Covers density, magnetic susceptibility, resistivity, seismic velocity, and chargeability as measurable contrasts. These contrasts underpin every detection method introduced later.

Lesson 3 • Data Quality and Noise Sources

Identifies cultural, geological, and instrumental noise that degrades geophysical signals. Noise awareness is prerequisite to data processing covered in Chapter 3.

Lesson 1 • Gravity Survey Principles

Explains Newton's law of gravitation, the Bouguer anomaly, and terrain corrections. Provides the theoretical basis for gravity data interpretation in mining contexts.

Lesson 2 • Airborne Potential Field Surveys

Describes fixed-wing and helicopter-borne gravity and magnetic acquisition systems. Airborne coverage efficiency makes this the dominant regional exploration tool.

Lesson 3 • Interpretation of Gravity and Magnetic Anomalies

Introduces forward modeling, inversion, and depth estimation techniques for potential fields. Students link anomaly shapes to ore body geometry and lithological contacts.

Lesson 4 • Magnetic Survey Principles

Covers Earth's magnetic field, total magnetic intensity, and remanent magnetization effects. Builds the physical understanding needed to interpret magnetic anomaly maps.

Lesson 1 • Induced Polarization Method

Explains membrane and electrode polarization mechanisms that detect disseminated sulfides. IP chargeability data directly targets porphyry copper and epithermal gold systems.

Lesson 2 • Direct Current Resistivity Surveying

Covers electrode arrays, apparent resistivity calculation, and depth of investigation. Resistivity profiling and sounding form the foundation for more advanced electrical methods.

Lesson 3 • Time-Domain Electromagnetic Methods

Covers transient EM decay curves, loop configurations, and depth penetration advantages. TDEM excels at detecting massive sulfide conductors at depth beyond DC methods.

Lesson 4 • Frequency-Domain Electromagnetic Methods

Introduces FDEM coil configurations, in-phase and quadrature responses, and conductivity mapping. FDEM is widely used for near-surface conductive ore and overburden mapping.

Lesson 1 • Seismic Wave Theory for Mining

Reviews P-wave and S-wave propagation, reflection, refraction, and diffraction in heterogeneous rock. This physics underpins acquisition design and data interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Seismic Interpretation for Ore Structures

Interprets faults, shear zones, and lithological contacts that control ore body geometry. Students correlate seismic reflectors with drill-hole geology to build structural models.

Lesson 3 • Seismic Data Processing for Mining

Applies noise attenuation, velocity analysis, NMO correction, and migration to mining datasets. Processing converts raw shot gathers into interpretable stacked sections.

Lesson 4 • Hard-Rock Reflection Seismic Acquisition

Addresses source selection, receiver geometry, and fold optimization for crystalline rock targets. Hard-rock environments require specialized acquisition strategies distinct from oil-industry practice.

Lesson 1 • Radiometric Data Processing and Ratios

Applies stripping corrections, height normalization, and ratio calculations to spectrometric data. Ratio images such as Th/K highlight potassic alteration zones critical to porphyry exploration.

Lesson 2 • Airborne Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

Covers detector systems, window energy selection, and flight-line acquisition for radiometric surveys. Airborne spectrometry provides rapid lithological and alteration mapping over large areas.

Lesson 3 • Natural Radioactivity in Rocks

Explains potassium, uranium, and thorium decay series and their geological significance. Radiometric contrasts directly map granitic intrusions, alteration halos, and uranium ore.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Borehole Geophysics

Introduces borehole environment effects, tool centralization, and logging speed on data quality. Understanding borehole conditions is prerequisite to accurate log interpretation.

Lesson 2 • Petrophysical Logging Suites

Covers natural gamma, density, neutron porosity, resistivity, and sonic logging tools. Each tool measures a distinct rock property that links to ore grade or rock quality.

Lesson 3 • Downhole Geophysical Methods for Ore Detection

Applies downhole EM, magnetic susceptibility, and IP logging to locate off-hole mineralization. These tools extend the value of drill holes beyond core recovery.

Lesson 4 • Log Interpretation and Core Correlation

Correlates geophysical logs with drill core, assay data, and geological mapping. Integrated interpretation reduces uncertainty in ore body modeling.

Lesson 1 • Multi-Method Data Fusion Concepts

Explains co-rendering, joint inversion, and petrophysical linkage as strategies for combining datasets. Data fusion reduces ambiguity inherent in single-method interpretations.

Lesson 2 • 3D Geological and Geophysical Modeling Software

Introduces implicit and explicit modeling workflows in industry-standard 3D platforms. Software proficiency enables students to build and update ore body models efficiently.

Lesson 3 • Resource Estimation Support from Geophysics

Uses geophysical continuity indicators to constrain variogram modeling and domain boundaries. Geophysical inputs improve the geological confidence of mineral resource estimates.

Lesson 4 • Targeting and Drill-Hole Planning

Translates integrated geophysical models into prioritized drill targets with collar and dip specifications. Effective targeting maximizes drill-hole success rates and reduces exploration cost.

Lesson 1 • Program Design and Reporting Standards

Guides students through scoping, budgeting, contractor selection, and technical reporting for geophysical programs. Professional reporting meets industry and regulatory disclosure requirements.

Lesson 2 • Geophysics for Porphyry and Epithermal Systems

Uses IP chargeability, radiometrics, and magnetics to map alteration zones in porphyry copper-gold and epithermal gold systems. Alteration mapping guides drill targeting.

Lesson 3 • Geophysics for Iron Ore and Industrial Minerals

Applies gravity and magnetics to banded iron formations and industrial mineral deposits. High-density and high-susceptibility contrasts make these targets well-suited to potential field methods.

Lesson 4 • Mine-Site Geophysics and Geotechnical Applications

Applies seismic, resistivity, and GPR to void detection, slope stability, and tailings monitoring. Mine-site geophysics reduces operational risk and supports safety management.