Methods of Prospecting

Methods

Property

Parameter measured or calculated

Unit

Direct Prospecting

Prospecting

indirect

structural

Non directional methods

Radio Metric

Scintillometry

Gamma radiation

Shock/second

Ores of

Uranium

Thorium

Phosphate

Clays & granites

X

Monazite

X

Spectrometry

density

acceleration of gravity

milligal (mgal)

Massive sulphides - Magnetite - Chromite - Barite - Coal

Cupolas

X

Gravimetry

Magnetism

Magnetic Susceptivit y

Magnetic field

gamma (7) nanotesia
(nt)

Magnetite, Pyrrhotite Chromite, Ilmenite

X

Electric

Self potential
(SP)

conductivit y and redos potential

potential difference

milivolt
(mV)

Massive sulphides - graphite

X

Prolongation of productive mineralizations

Directional methods

Resistivity

Sections & maps

Conductivit y

apparent resistivity

ohm-meter

Ores

conductiv e resistant

and lodes

Faults

X

Electric “drilling”

Roofs of ore bodies

conductive resistant

X

Induced Polarization

Time-domain

chargeability (+resistivity) polarizability

millisecond
(ms)

Disseminated sulphides
Clays - Bausite - Chromite

Faults

Electro
Magnetic

Electromagnetism

Sections & maps

Conductivit y

Many parameters: amplitude & phase of field, angle of tilt, lengthening of ellipse of polarization. Components in phase & in quadrature

Conductive ores & lodes

Faults

X

Frequency domain

Magnetotelluric

Section & maps

Faults

X

Seismic

Retraction
 

Elasticity

velocity of waves

second & meter/second
(m/s)

Salt domes

Structures

X

Reflection

X