SQUID Airborne Gravity Gradiometer and Magnetometer Systems for Base Metal Exploration

SQUID technology increases the sensitivity of geophysical instruments by several orders of<br>magnitude so those targets previously transparent to geophysical methods may now be<br>explored. Superconducting technology has enabled the design of airborne gravity<br>gradiometers, sensitive enough for geophysical prospecting. The application of SQUID<br>gravity gradiometers and magnetometers to base metal exploration was investigated using<br>forward models of the gravity and magnetic response over an existing Nickel deposit in<br>Africa. A thin, ribbon-like massive sulphide body produces very subtle magnetic and<br>gravitational anomalies at normal airborne exploration attitudes, which may only be detected<br>using SQUID instruments.