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Title: Geophysical technique for mineral exploration and discrimination based on electromagnetic methods and associated systems

Abstract

Mineral exploration needs a reliable method to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and economic mineralization. A method and system includes a geophysical technique for subsurface material characterization, mineral exploration and mineral discrimination. The technique introduced in this invention detects induced polarization effects in electromagnetic data and uses remote geophysical observations to determine the parameters of an effective conductivity relaxation model using a composite analytical multi-phase model of the rock formations. The conductivity relaxation model and analytical model can be used to determine parameters related by analytical expressions to the physical characteristics of the microstructure of the rocks and minerals. These parameters are ultimately used for the discrimination of different components in underground formations, and in this way provide an ability to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and zones of economic mineralization using geophysical remote sensing technology.

Inventors:
 [1]
  1. Salt Lake City, UT
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
983702
Patent Number(s):
7324899
Application Number:
11/492,221
Assignee:
University of Utah (Salt Lake City, UT)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS
DOE Contract Number:  
FC26-04NT42081
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES

Citation Formats

Zhdanov, Michael S. Geophysical technique for mineral exploration and discrimination based on electromagnetic methods and associated systems. United States: N. p., 2008. Web.
Zhdanov, Michael S. Geophysical technique for mineral exploration and discrimination based on electromagnetic methods and associated systems. United States.
Zhdanov, Michael S. Tue . "Geophysical technique for mineral exploration and discrimination based on electromagnetic methods and associated systems". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/983702.
@article{osti_983702,
title = {Geophysical technique for mineral exploration and discrimination based on electromagnetic methods and associated systems},
author = {Zhdanov, Michael S.},
abstractNote = {Mineral exploration needs a reliable method to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and economic mineralization. A method and system includes a geophysical technique for subsurface material characterization, mineral exploration and mineral discrimination. The technique introduced in this invention detects induced polarization effects in electromagnetic data and uses remote geophysical observations to determine the parameters of an effective conductivity relaxation model using a composite analytical multi-phase model of the rock formations. The conductivity relaxation model and analytical model can be used to determine parameters related by analytical expressions to the physical characteristics of the microstructure of the rocks and minerals. These parameters are ultimately used for the discrimination of different components in underground formations, and in this way provide an ability to distinguish between uneconomic mineral deposits and zones of economic mineralization using geophysical remote sensing technology.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 29 00:00:00 EST 2008},
month = {Tue Jan 29 00:00:00 EST 2008}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Sharp boundary inversion of 2D magnetotelluric data
journal, July 1999


Effective‐medium theories for two‐phase dielectric media
journal, March 1985


Induced Polarization, a Study of its Causes
journal, October 1959


Inversion of magnetotelluric data for 2D structure with sharp resistivity contrasts
journal, January 2004


Dispersion and Absorption in Dielectrics II. Direct Current Characteristics
journal, February 1942


Recent Advances and Applications in Complex Resistivity Measurements
journal, October 1975


Mineral Discrimination and Removal of Inductive Coupling with Multifrequency ip
journal, April 1978