INTEGRATING GEOPHYSICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL METHODS FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION

Locating mineral deposits is key to quantifying our nation’s reserves. Electrical Resistivity/Induced Potential (ER/IP) geophysical surveys, when combined with mineralogical data from boreholes, are useful tools in the field of mineral exploration. Geophysical data was collected over known and suspected deposits in Kentucky. One site is located in the Central Kentucky Mineral District and the other site is located the Western Kentucky Fluorspar District. The Central Kentucky Mineral District contains deposits of barite, calcite, sphalerite and galena. The Western Kentucky Fluorspar District contains deposits of fluorite, barite and calcite.

Borehole data was provided by a private entity for analysis on a microscale using geochemical and mineralogical metods. The geophysical data was collected for analysis of properties on a macroscale. The identification of the mineralogical properties will correlate with geophysical properties of the deposits. Data will be presented as 2D Resistivity and IP cross sections and mineralogical analysis. The goal of this research was to compare mineral deposits in different geologic environments and identify borehole locations for more efficient drilling programs.