Laboratory studies show that the acoustic impedances of massive sulfides can be predicted from the physical properties (V p , density) and modal abundances of common sulfide minerals using simple mixing relations. Most sulfides have significantly higher impedances than silicate rocks, implying that seismic reflection techniques can be used directly for base metals exploration, provided the deposits meet the geometric constraints required for detection. To test this concept, a series of 1-, 2-, and 3-D seismic experiments were conducted to image known ore bodies in central and eastern Canada. In one recent test, conducted at the Halfmile Lake coppernickel deposit in the Bathurst camp, laboratory measurements on representative samples of ore and country rock demonstrated that the ores should make strong reflectors at the site, while velocity and density logging confirmed that these reflectors should persist at formation scales. These predictions have been confirmed by the detection of strong reflections from the deposit using vertical seismic profiling and 2-D multichannel seismic imaging techniques.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.