Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions

Minerals

Jonathan Chambers¹  Antonio Espín de Gea²  Sebastian Uhlemann³  Avelino Tirado Alonso⁴  JoséLuis Fernández González⁴  W.Eberhard Falck⁵ 

[1] British Geological Survey, Engineering Geology, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK;Centro Tecnológico del mármol, Piedra y Materiales, 30430 Cehegín, Spain;Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA;NOTIO Asociación, 45007 Toledo, Spain;WEFalck Scientific Advisory and Expert Services, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France;

关键词: electrical resistivity tomography;    subsurface imaging;    mining;    ornamental stone;   

DOI  :  10.3390/min8110491

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to guide ornamental stone extraction is investigated. ERT is not conventionally used in highly resistive environments, such as on rock faces, due to the high contact resistances that can impede current injection. Here, the challenges of conducting ERT in such environments are discussed and possible solutions suggested. For this, an example of the application of ERT in a deep and narrow marble quarry is used. The marble deposit is affected by fracturing and karstification. Due to the nature of these features, they present a significant resistivity contrast to the background resistivity of the marble and thus excellent targets to test the application of ERT. Their location was mapped using field observations and complementary ground penetrating radar data. By using an appropriate sensor deployment, a suitable resistivity meter, and advanced data processing routines, the derived 3D resistivity model is in good agreement with the independent observations. This shows that despite the challenges, ERT can be used as a non-invasive tool to obtain information on the stone properties prior to extraction. This will help in guiding quarry operations and will allow for a targeted, safe, and efficient extraction of high quality stone, thereby increasing sustainability and economical competitiveness.

【 授权许可】

Unknown