- ISSN: 0263-5046
- E-ISSN: 1365-2397
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oa Giving the legacy seismic data the attention they deserve
- Source: First Break, Volume 37, Issue 8, Aug 2019, p. 89 - 96
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- 01 Aug 2019
Abstract
Key minerals may soon be in short supply as shallow mineral deposits are mined-out; therefore exploration for economically feasible deep-seated deposits to sustain a long-term global growth is a great challenge. New deposits are likely to be found using reflection seismic surveys in combination with drilling, field geological mapping and other geophysical methods. Seismic methods have already have contributed significantly to the discovery of some of the world’s major mineral deposits (Milkereit et al., 1996; Pretorius et al., 2000; Trickett et al., 2004; Malehmir and Bellefleur, 2009; Malehmir et al., 2012). However, use of the method is not widespread because it is deemed to be expensive. Although improvements in computing capabilities have led to cost reductions, the costs are still beyond exploration budgets of many companies. Thus, mining companies have had little financial ability to acquire new reflection seismic data, and very little governmental support has been available to acquire research seismic surveys for mineral exploration.
