Seismic exploration of mineral resources - An Australian perspective

Abstract

The only geophysical method that can image deep structures with the precision required for targeting and discovering new resources is reflection seismic. However, mineral prospecting with seismic methods is not straightforward. Lack of understanding of the seismic response, necessity to adapt the method to the specifics of each target and underestimating the complexity of mineral environments introduced complexities that have resulted in its sporadic rather than systematic application. Here we present and briefly discuss the results and the lessons learnt after more than a decade of dedicated investigations in different mineralised environments. We expect that seismic will become a standard geophysical method for exploration of most brown and then green fields.