Development of 2D SIP Data Processing Software for a Metallic Mineral Deposit Exploration

Abstract:

In this study, we developed commercially two dimensional SIP (Spectral Induced Polarization) data processing software for measured SIP data, because the end user to comfortably use it. In order to consider the application of the developed technique, two dimensional SIP was tested in the area of hydro-thermal mineral deposit, Haenam in South Korea. We also acquired time-domain IP data for the same profile in order to verify the accuracy of SIP data, and compared both data after data processing and analysis completed. Separation of transmitter and receiver line was used to get more accurate data, and porous pot electrode was also used to remove the polarization effect of receiver electrodes. As results of both survey methods, we knew that resistivity images were nearly same but the chargeability and phase images were slight different. From the previous experience of SIP survey on the close test, phase anomaly was closely related and expected to the mineralized zone also in this survey. The site where the test survey was conducted was a small hills, and on the top of hill silicified alteration zone was identified which were shown as a high-resistivity anomaly on the resistivity mage. Below this high-resistivity anomaly, we identified phase anomaly that showed a consistent trend originated from the deep anomaly directly under the mountain, and it continued from south to north, and deep to shallow. This trend of phase anomaly was not clearly identified on the inverted chargeability images for the averaged chargeability of time-domain IP data. But when we use new inversion algorithm which use all the chargeability data of 20 time windows simultaneously, we got similar inverted results for the middle-time IP data. Through the test survey of SIP and IP, we know that S/N ration of SIP measurements was superior to those of IP measurement because SIP measurement was made during the transmitter on but IP measurement did not. And if we use the newly developed IP inversion algorithm, we could get more reliable inversion result for the time-domain IP data. Therefore, it is expected the SIP method should be more popular if the developed 2D SIP processing software is widely used.