AMT survey in the Outokumpu ore belt, eastern Finland

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe Outokumpu belt in eastern Finland is known for numerous polymetallic (Cu–Co–Zn–Ni–Ag–Au) sulphide ore deposits and it is a potential area for new discoveries. Audiomagnetotelluric (AMT) data have recently been collected to image the subsurface conductivity structure of the belt. The data were acquired along five profiles aiming to explore deep conductors, study their geometry and investigate the deep conductivity structure of the belt.The acquired AMT data were mostly adequate for 2D inversion, as the survey area is characterised by thin, laterally extensive conductors indicated by airborne electromagnetic data, deep drillings and regional strike analysis of the impedance tensor data. 2D smooth inversion was carried out jointly for transverse electric and transverse magnetic data. The results show southeast-dipping and sub-horizontal continuous conductors southeast of the Outokumpu old mine, suggesting the presence of prospective Outokumpu assemblage rocks. One ∼ 1 km deep sub-horizontal conductor is verified by a deep drill-hole located ∼ 8 km southeast of the mine. The results demonstrate a similar southeast-dipping structure in the Vuonos mine area, which is located ∼ 7 km northeast of the Outokumpu old mine. An eastwards-dipping conductor detected in the Miihkali serpentinite area indicates deep exploration potential in this area. Besides the smooth 2D inversion, a sharp-boundary 2D inversion was performed and the resulting model was assessed with the existing geological interpretation of the Miihkali area. In the area of the Sotkuma gneiss inlier, conductors are absent from the uppermost ∼ 6 km. This feature may represent an uplifted fault block rather than a thin thrust sheet of Archaean basement rocks.