A field test of electromagnetic geophysical techniques for locating simulated in situ mining leach solution
The US Bureau of Mines, The University of Arizona, Sandia National Laboratories, and Zonge Engineering and Research Organization, Inc., conducted cooperative field tests of six electromagnetic (EM) geophysical methods to compare their effectiveness in locating a brine solution simulating in situ leach solution or a high-conductivity plume of contamination. The brine was approximately 160 m below the surface. The testsite was the University's San Xavier experimental mine near Tucson, AZ. Geophysical surveys using surface and surface-borehole, time-domain electromagnetic (TEM) induction; surface controlled-source audiofrequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT); surface-borehole, frequency-domain electromagnetic (FEM) induction; crosshole FEM; and surface magnetic field ellipticity were conducted before and during brine injection. The surface TEM data showed a broad decrease in resistivity. CSAMT measurements with the conventional orientation did not detect the brine, but measurements with another orientation indicated some decrease in resistivity. The surface-borehole and crosshole methods located a known fracture and other fracture zones inferred from borehole induction logs. Surface magnetic field ellipticity data showed a broad decrease in resistivity at depth following brine injection.
- OSTI ID:
- 7033308
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
422000* -- Engineering-- Mining & Underground Engineering-- (1980-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ARIZONA
BRINES
DATA ANALYSIS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISSOLUTION
ELECTRICAL SURVEYS
ELECTROMAGNETIC SURVEYS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GEOPHYSICAL SURVEYS
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IN-SITU PROCESSING
LEACHING
MASS TRANSFER
MINING
NORTH AMERICA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLUMES
POLLUTION
PROCESSING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLUTION MINING
SURVEYS
USA
WATER
WATER POLLUTION