Exploration of Deep Magnetite Deposit Under Thick and Conductive Overburden with Ex Component of SOTEM: A Case Study in China

Abstract

In northern China, thick loess strata with low resistivity are widely present and can shield the deep induced electromagnetic field signal and influence the accuracy of deep targets while electromagnetic prospecting is being performed. To achieve deep target exploration with high resolution, a new technique known as the short offset transient electromagnetic method (SOTEM) is applied in this research area. This method can be used to perform near-source configuration surveys, but shows no obvious difference between the deep magnetite deposit and low-resistivity layer in this survey area. Therefore, it cannot explore the magnetite deposit directly using the traditional magnetic component (Hz) of SOTEM. The Ex component, which can more effectively distinguish the high-resistivity surrounding rock and overlying low-resistivity layer than the Hz component, is used for exploration. First, 2D forward modeling and sensitivity analysis of the high-resistivity body are carried out to determine the different responses of the Ex and Hz components, respectively. Moreover, to better determine the interface between the surrounding rock and low-resistivity layer, 1D Occam inversion and the generalized inverse matrix inversion method are used. Furthermore, aiming at the static effect of the Ex component in field exploration, joint inversion of the Ex and Hz components is carried out for comprehensive interpretation. Finally, a field test is conducted, and the drilling results are used for verification. The research results can provide an effective geophysical model for the exploration of contact metasomatic magnetite deposits.