Electrical imaging of peridotite weathering mantles as a complementary tool for nickel ore exploration in New Caledonia

C. Savin; B. Robineau; G. Monteil; A. Beauvais; J. C. Parisot; M. Ritz

doi:10.1071/ASEG2003ab148

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa Electrical imaging of peridotite weathering mantles as a complementary tool for nickel ore exploration in New Caledonia
Authors C. Savin, B. Robineau, G. Monteil, A. Beauvais, J. C. Parisot and M. Ritz
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2003, Issue ASEG2003 - 16th Geophysical Conference, Aug 2003, p. 1 - 5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2003ab148
- Published online: 01 Aug 2003

Abstract

The first 2-D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) survey on the well explored (for Nickel ore) lateritic mantle of a new Caledonian ultramafic massif shows a good fit between the geoelectrical sections and the core loggings.

Data collected along several 1 km long profiles, with 10 m electrode spacing to reach about 100 m penetration depth, are reliable and the preliminary interpretation of resistivity models indicates :

- well-defined geoelectrical layers with significant resistivity contrast,

- a very good fit of the above layers with the various units of a weathering mantle, i.e. ferricrete, saprolite and bedrock,

- the suspected geometry of horizons, deduced from core logs, is better defined by the continuous ERT imaging,

- a transverse (section to section) continuity of saprolite troughs and bedrock ridges along N140° strike, which is the main structural feature of Tiebaghi ultramafic massif.

2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography appears to be an appropriate geophysical method to investigate the structure of weathering mantles of ultramafic massifs in New Caledonia. It should become a useful complementary tool to locate favourable zones, i.e. the saprolite horizon where Ni accumulation can be found, or, at least, to economize on drillings.

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References

Beauvais, A., Ritz, M., Parisot, J.-C, Dukhan, M., Bantsimba, C, 1999, Analysis of poorly stratified lateritic terrains overlying a granitic bedrock in West Africa, using a 2-D electrical resistivity tomography: Earth and Planetary Science Letter 173, 413-424.
Edwards, L.S., 1977, A modified pseudo-section for resistivity and induced-polarization: Geophysics 42, 1020-1036.
Griffiths, D.H., Barker, R.D., 1993, Two-dimensional resistivity imaging and modeling in areas of complex geology: Journal of Applied Geophysics 29, 211-226.
Loke, M.H., 1999, RES2DINV-rapid 2D resistivity and JP inversion using the least-squares method: Software manual, 81pp.
Loke, M.H., Barker, R.D., 1996, Rapid least-squares inversion of apparent resistivity pseudosections by a quasi-Newton method: Geophysical Prospection 44, 131-152.
Palacky, G.J., Kadekaru, K., 1979, Effect of tropical weathering on electrical and electromagnetic measurements: Geophysics 44, 69-88.
Ritz, M., Parisot, J.-C, Diouf, S., Beauvais, A., Dione, F., Niang, M., 1999, Electrical imaging of lateritic weathering mantles over granitic and metamorphic basement of eastern Senegal, West Africa: Journal of Applied Geophysics 41, 335-344.
Trescase J.J., 1975, L’évolution géochimique supergène des roches ultrabasiques en zone tropicales. Formation des gisement nickélifères de Nouvelle-Calédonie: Mémoires ORSTOM 78, Paris, 254 pp.
Van Overmeeren, R.A., 1989, Aquifer boundaries explored by geoelectrical measurements in the coastal plain of Yemen: A case of equivalence: Geophysics 54, 38-48.

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): Electrical Resistivity Tomography; New Caledonia; Ore nickel site; Weathering profile

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oa Electrical imaging of peridotite weathering mantles as a complementary tool for nickel ore exploration in New Caledonia

Abstract

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