Drone Magnetometry in Mining Research. An Application in the Study of Triassic Cu–Co–Ni Mineralizations in the Estancias Mountain Range, Almería (Spain)

Drones

Pedro Carrasco¹  Diego Gonzalez-Aguilera¹  Rafael Lopez Guijarro²  Daniel Porras³  Santiago Alfageme⁴  Javier Carrasco⁵ 

[1] Departamento Ingeniería Cartográfica y del Terreno Geología, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ávila, Universidad de Salamanca, Avd. Hornos Caleros 50, 05003 Avila, Spain;Exco Mining S.L., 28008 Madrid, Spain;Geoland Services S.L., 28008 Madrid, Spain;Gesminle S.L., 24001 Leon, Spain;Técnicas Geofísicas S.L., 05003 Avila, Spain;

关键词: aeromagnetics;    drone survey;    mineral exploration;    geophysical prospecting;   

DOI  :  10.3390/drones5040151

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The use of drones in mining and geological exploration is under rapid development, especially in the field of magnetic field prospection. In part, this is related to the advantages presented for over ground surveys, allowing for high-density data acquisition with low loss of resolution, while being particularly useful in scenarios where vegetation, topography, and access are limiting factors. This work analyzes results of a drone magnetic survey acquired across the old mines of Don Jacobo, where Copper-Cobalt-Nickel stratabound mineralizations were exploited in the Estancias mountain range of the Betic Cordillera, Spain. The survey carried out used a vapor magnetometer installed on a Matrice 600 Pro Hexacopter. Twenty-four parallel survey lines were flown with a speed of 5 m/s, orthogonal to the regional strike of the geological structure, and mineralization with 50 m line separation and 20 m flight height over the ground was studied. The interpretation of the magnetic data allows us to reveal and model two high magnetic susceptibility bodies with residual magnetization, close to the old mines and surface mineral shows. These bodies could be related to potential unexploited mineralized areas whose formation may be related to a normal fault placed to the south of the survey area. Our geophysical survey provides essential data to improve the geological and mining potential of the area, allowing to design future research activities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown