Optimising the geophysical ore body model to aid in the discovery of new critical mineral deposits
Role
Chief Investigator
Description
This project aims to develop advanced geophysical tools that can help exploration companies identify critical mineral resources. Current geophysical exploration methods—such as magnetic, electric, gravimetric, magnetotelluric, radiometric, and seismic surveys—are commonly used in the industry to detect geophysical anomalies. However, many detected anomalies do not contain mineralization due to a lack of tools to identify the specific geophysical signatures of ore bodies. Our goal is to create tools that enable explorers to distinguish between barren and mineralized anomalies, enhancing the accuracy of mineral discovery. Currently, there is limited knowledge on the specific geophysical responses of mineralized ore bodies. Some preliminary research by CSIRO on IOCG deposits in Cloncurry suggests that combining geological and petrophysical data can model an ore body's geophysical response.
Date
01 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2027
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
Geophysics;petrophysics;mineralogy;seismology
Funding Body
James Cook University
Amount
550000
Project Team
Ioan Sanislav;Alex McCoy-West;Helen McCoy-West