Mineral Resources :From Exploration to Sustainability Assessment

Abstract

Geophysical methods have been applied to mineral exploration and development for more than 100 years. Mineral exploration relies on the entire suite of modern geophysical techniques to narrow down the search for metallic and nonmetallic mineral deposits. This chapter makes use of case studies to demonstrate the range and breadth of geophysics being applied to mineral exploration and development. In addition, examples of regional geologic mapping using geophysics, for example, airborne magnetic, gravity, and radiometric techniques, are provided. A short discussion of metals and nonmetals and their economic minerals is given along with a brief overview of geophysical methods and the corresponding physical properties measured. This chapter ends with a discussion on recent developments and future trends.