The Ventersdorp Contact Reef model in the Kloof Gold Mine as derived from 3D seismics, geological mapping and exploration borehole datasets

Manzi, M.; Hein, Kim A.A.; Durrheim, Raymond; King, Nick

doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.12.015

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Mponeng Gold mine is owned and operated by AngloGold Ashanti, which is today one of the world's largest gold‐producing companies (Dankert and Hein ; Manzi et al . ). With mining taking place at depths between 2.4 km and 4.2 km below the surface, Mponeng Gold mine is currently the world's deepest mine.…”

Section: Mponeng Gold Minementioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Trickett, Duweke, and Kock ; Manzi et al . ). South Africa, to our knowledge, has acquired more hard‐rock seismic data than the rest of the world (Manzi et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Manzi et al . , , ; Malehmir et al . ), direct measurements of the seismic velocity have not previously been performed on core samples of the hanging wall (H/W) and footwall (F/W) of the gold‐bearing horizons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Integrated interpretation of 3D seismic data to enhance the detection of the gold‐bearing reef: Mponeng Gold mine, Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa)

Manzi

Cooper

Malehmir

et al. 2015

Geophysical Prospecting

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A B S T R A C TWe present an integrated approach to the seismic interpretation of one of the world's deepest gold ore body (Carbon Leader Reef) using three-dimensional seismic data, ultrasonic velocity measurements at elevated stresses, and modified instantaneous attribute analysis. Seismic wave velocities of the drill-core samples (quartzite, shale, and conglomeratic reef) from the mine are sensitive to uniaxial stress changes, i.e., they slowly increase with increasing pressure until they reach maximum value at ß25 MPa. For all the samples, seismic velocities are constant above 25 MPa, indicating a possible closure of microcracks at stress corresponding to 1.0 km-1.5 km. A reflection coefficient of 0.02 computed between hanging wall and footwall quartzites of the Carbon Leader Reef ore body suggests that it may be difficult to obtain a strong seismic reflection at their interface. Our modified seismic attribute algorithm, on the other hand, shows that the detection of the lateral continuity of the Carbon Leader Reef reflector can significantly be improved by sharpening the seismic traces. Three-dimensional seismic data reveal that faults with throws greater than 25 m that offset the Carbon Leader Reef can clearly be seen. Faults with throws less than 25 m but greater than 2-m throw were identified through horizon-based attribute analysis, while most dykes and sills with thickness less than 25 m were invisible. The detection of the lateral continuity of the Carbon Leader Reef reflector and its depth position is greatly improved by integrating the modified instantaneous attributes with controls from borehole observations. The three-dimensional visualization and effective interpretation of the Carbon Leader Reef horizon shows a host of structurally complex ore body blocks that may impact future shaft positioning and reduce its associated risks.

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Section: Mponeng Gold Minementioning

confidence: 97%

“…; Trickett, Duweke, and Kock ; Manzi et al . ). South Africa, to our knowledge, has acquired more hard‐rock seismic data than the rest of the world (Manzi et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Integrated interpretation of 3D seismic data to enhance the detection of the gold‐bearing reef: Mponeng Gold mine, Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa)

Manzi

Cooper

Malehmir

et al. 2015

Geophysical Prospecting

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“…Reflection seismics, on the other hand, offers depth penetration and high spatial resolution down to several kilometers of depth. Although the application of seismic methods to mineral exploration poses various challenges, several successful cases, including surveys from Australia [7], Canada [8][9][10][11], Scandinavia [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] and South Africa [21][22][23], have demonstrated the feasibility of the method.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to tackle the above-mentioned challenges and to make seismic reflection methods more attractive for mineral exploration, various attempts have been made to increase the overall efficiency and to lower the costs of seismic surveys. One way is to integrate seismic reflection methods with other geophysical and geological techniques that are conventionally used in mineral exploration (e.g., [22,27]). Another promising approach is to combine strategically different forms of seismic acquisition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underground Vertical Seismic Profiling with Conventional and Fiber-Optic Systems for Exploration in the Kylylahti Polymetallic Mine, Eastern Finland

Riedel

Cosma²,

Enescu³

et al. 2018

Minerals

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Seismic reflection methods have been used for the exploration of mineral resources for several decades. However, despite their unmatched spatial resolution and depth penetration, they only have played a minor role in mineral discoveries so far. Instead, mining and exploration companies have traditionally focused more on the use of potential field, electric and electromagnetic methods. In this context, we present a case study of an underground Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) experiment, which was designed to image a (semi-)massive sulfide deposit located in the Kylylahti polymetallic mine in eastern Finland. For the measurement, we used a conventional VSP with three-component geophones and a novel fiber-optic Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) system. Both systems were deployed in boreholes located nearby the target sulfide deposit, and used in combination with an active seismic source that was fired from within the underground tunnels. With this setup, we successfully recorded seismic reflections from the deposit and its nearby geological contrasts. The recording systems provided data with a good signal-to-noise ratio and high spatial resolution. In addition to the measurements, we generated a realistic synthetic dataset based on a detailed geological model derived from extensive drilling data and petrophysical laboratory analysis. Specific processing and imaging of the acquired and synthetic datasets yielded high-resolution reflectivity images. Joint analysis of these images and cross-validation with lithological logging data from 135 nearby boreholes led to successful interpretation of key geological contacts including the target sulfide mineralization. In conclusion, our experiment demonstrates the value of in-mine VSP measurements for detailed resource delineation in a complex geological setting. In particular, we emphasize the potential benefit of using fiber-optic DAS systems, which provide reflection data at sufficient quality with less logistical effort and a higher acquisition rate. This amounts to a lower total acquisition cost, which makes DAS a valuable tool for future mineral exploration activities.

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3D Reflection Seismic Imaging for Gold and Platinum Exploration, Mine Development, and Safety

2019

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The Ventersdorp Contact Reef model in the Kloof Gold Mine as derived from 3D seismics, geological mapping and exploration borehole datasets

Cited by 17 publications

References 26 publications

Integrated interpretation of 3D seismic data to enhance the detection of the gold‐bearing reef: Mponeng Gold mine, Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa)

Integrated interpretation of 3D seismic data to enhance the detection of the gold‐bearing reef: Mponeng Gold mine, Witwatersrand Basin (South Africa)

Underground Vertical Seismic Profiling with Conventional and Fiber-Optic Systems for Exploration in the Kylylahti Polymetallic Mine, Eastern Finland

3D Reflection Seismic Imaging for Gold and Platinum Exploration, Mine Development, and Safety

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