Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions

Uhlemann, Sebastian; Chambers, Jonathan; Falck, W. Eberhard; Tirado Alonso, Avelino; Fernández González, José Luis; Espín de Gea, Antonio

doi:10.3390/min8110491

Title: Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions

Journal Article · 26 October 2018 · Minerals

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110491 · OSTI ID:1567138

^[1]; Chambers, Jonathan ^[2]; Falck, W. Eberhard ^[3]; Tirado Alonso, Avelino ^[4]; Fernández González, José Luis ^[4]; Espín de Gea, Antonio ^[5]

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Earth and Environmental Sciences Area
British Geological Survey, Nottingham (United Kingdom). Engineering Geology
WEFalck Scientific Advisory and Expert Services, Saint-Cloud (France)
NOTIO Asociación, Toledo (Spain)
Centro Tecnológico del mármol, Piedra y Materiales, Cehegín (Spain)

In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to guide ornamental stone extraction is investigated. ERT is not conventionally used in highly resistive environments, such as on rock faces, due to the high contact resistances that can impede current injection. Here, the challenges of conducting ERT in such environments are discussed and possible solutions suggested. For this, an example of the application of ERT in a deep and narrow marble quarry is used. The marble deposit is affected by fracturing and karstification. Due to the nature of these features, they present a significant resistivity contrast to the background resistivity of the marble and thus excellent targets to test the application of ERT. Their location was mapped using field observations and complementary ground penetrating radar data. By using an appropriate sensor deployment, a suitable resistivity meter, and advanced data processing routines, the derived 3D resistivity model is in good agreement with the independent observations. This shows that despite the challenges, ERT can be used as a non-invasive tool to obtain information on the stone properties prior to extraction. This will help in guiding quarry operations and will allow for a targeted, safe and efficient extraction of high quality stone, thereby increasing sustainability and economical competitiveness.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC02-05CH11231

OSTI ID:: 1567138

Journal Information:: Minerals, Journal Name: Minerals Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 8; ISSN MBSIBI; ISSN 2075-163X

Publisher:: MDPICopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
electrical resistivity tomography
mining
ornamental stone
subsurface imaging

Title: Applying Electrical Resistivity Tomography in Ornamental Stone Mining: Challenges and Solutions

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References (49)

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