Grant: Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Abitibi Géophysique, inc., have developed from existing technology a new system, called InfiniTEM?, for mineral exploration. The system is designed to locate and delineate metallic ore deposits in Canada. The InfiniTEM system is a time-domain electromagnetic system. A time-varying electric current flows in a transmitter loop laid out on the ground. This time-varying current creates a time-varying magnetic field, and this magnetic field induces electric currents to flow in geological features, such as metallic ore deposits, that have relatively high electrical conductivities. The effects of the induced currents can be sensed at the surface, thus revealing the presence of an ore body. The presence of a conductive geological feature manifests itself in InfiniTEM data in the form of a complicated, positive-to-negative signature. Such signatures are difficult for the non-specialist to interpret. The goal of this project, therefore, is to develop a data processing technique that will transform the complicated, dipolar InfiniTEM signature of a conductor into a single, simple, consistent peak. This project will benefit the student who carries out the research, Abitibi Géophysique, and the Canadian mineral exploration industry as a whole. The student will gain experience of cutting-edge geophysical exploration methodology and how it is applied in industry. Abitibi Géophysique will be able to enhance the value-added product that they can offer their customers. Also, Abitibi Géophysique will be able to take part in the training of a student who will acquire during the course of this project the necessary technical skills that will make them a valuable employee of a company such as Abitibi Géophysique. Lastly, by dissemination of the results of this project in the relevant geophysical literature, the wider Canadian exploration community will obtain a technique that will likely be applicable to other, similar geophysical techniques.