Applicability of electrical methods in deep detection and monitoring of conductive lixiviants
- Bureau of Mines, Minneapolis, MN (United States)
Various electrical and electromagnetic (EM) geophysical techniques are currently being evaluated by the US Bureau of Mines for their effectiveness in the detection and monitoring of electrically conductive (1 to 5 S/m) lixiviant (leach solution) to depths of 600 m, either above or below the water table. These techniques include magnetotellurics (MT), controlled source audiofrequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), resistivity and focused resistivity, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), frequency-domain electromagnetics (FEM), and time-domain electromagnetics (TEM). Of these techniques, TEM may be the most effective, but CSAMT and focused resistivity also hold promise. Geophysical computer modeling of the borehole TEM technique was conducted based on an idealized geoelectric section (layered earth) with characteristics based on the Santa Cruz porphyry copper deposit near Casa Grande, AZ. Layer resistivities and thicknesses were obtained from geophysical data and geologic logs available from the site. Modeling of borehole TEM in both preleach and during leach situations was conducted. Simulating the TEM method using computer modeling proved to be encouraging since there were substantial differences between leached and nonleached responses. The modeling does not prove the effectiveness of TEM in the field, but does indicate that detection of deep lixiviant zones is theoretically possible.
- OSTI ID:
- 6239629
- Journal Information:
- Information Circular - United States, Bureau of Mines; (United States), Journal Name: Information Circular - United States, Bureau of Mines; (United States) Vol. 9308; ISSN XIMIAL; ISSN 0096-1914
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
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Geology
& Exploration
012010 -- Coal
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& Peat-- Mining-- Planning & Surveying-- (1987-)
COAL MINES
COPPER
DETECTION
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
ELECTRIC MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
LEACHATES
LEACHING
MAGNETOTELLURIC SURVEYS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
MINES
MIXTURES
MONITORING
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTIONS
SURVEYS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES