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oa Target generations using constrained 3D gravity inversion and innovative in-mine-surface seismic surveys, Neves-Corvo, Portugal
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, Mineral Exploration Symposium, Sep 2020, Volume 2020, p.1 - 3
Abstract
Neves-Corvo is currently the largest base metal producing mine in Europe. With the discovery of the Semblana Deposit in 2012, the region has shown to still hold good potential for reasonable size deposits. These will more likely be at depth and in a complex geologic environment. This will require the further use of and reliance on sensitive and deep penetrating geophysical methods. To assess the possibility of the down-dip extension of one of the major deposits, 3D electromagnetic forward modeling of surface time-domain data and a novel seismic survey took place recently. The goal of the seismic survey was to test the feasibility of utilizing exploration drifts in an active mine via the development of two prototypes. These were (i) a GPS-time synchronization system for satellite denied environment and (ii) electrically driven broadband vibrator seismic source. Prior to these studies, available legacy seismic and TEM data were revisited and included in the construction of an updated 3D geological model which served as a reference for a constrained 3D gravity inversion. To supplement geophysical information, drill-hole geochemical data were integrated into the modeling workflow using neural networks algorithms in order to provide additional predictive parameters for deep targeting at the site.