An acoustic velocity logging probe has been used to acquire data on the seismic characteristics of the McConnell nickel deposit in the Sudbury area. Preliminary results indicate good velocity contrasts in the stratigraphic sequence associated with the massive
sulphides. These velocity contrasts are related to the density and elastic properties of the rocks; density was measured in the same borehole with a density logging probe. One interesting observation is that the high density massive sulphides have low P-wave velocities relative to the host rocks.
This is not a universally applicable condition because some massive sulphides in other areas being investigated have higher velocities. Full sonic waveforms were recorded and these will be further studied to extract S-wave velocities. The P- and S-wave velocity and amplitude logs will then be used
to derive valuable geotechnical information.
Geophysical borehole logs, which measure the physical properties of the rocks surrounding the hole, can be used as an aid to geological core logging, because they are continuous with no missing sections, and because they show changes that are not detectable with
the naked eye. Three examples of the application of borehole geophysical logs to the problem of core logging in areas of volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits, are discussed. The Mudhole prospect in Newfoundland is a simple case of the obvious relation between geophysical logs and geological logs.
In the Buttle Lake area of British Columbia, the experience gained from the Mudhole prospect was used to derive a pseudo-geological log based on the gamma-ray log. The pseudo-geological log was improved further in the Kam-kotia mine area in Ontario by using three geophysical parameters. In all three
cases, the geological interpretation from the geophysical logs was subjective. An objective, computer-based method of deriving the pseudo-geological log, as a tool for the geologist, is being investigated.
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