As três anomalias elípticas da porção sul do Cráton São Francisco: novos alvos para a mineralização de grafita?

Abstract

The southernmost part of the São Francisco Craton (SFC), Minas Gerais, Brazil, comprises early Archean up to late Neoproterozoic rocks. Geologic mapping in this area is limited to regional scales due to the lack of exposed bedrock. In this research, three anomalous, elliptical structures, with an extension over 10 km along main axis, were first revealed and mapped using high-resolution airborne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric data. The structure located at the eastern part of the area hosts the largest graphite mine in Brazil. The other two structures were entirely unknown and absent in previous maps. The merge of geophysical data and remote sensing imagery in a geographic information system provided additional support for the mapping. This successful application of airborne geophysical methods proved their usefulness in regional geologic mapping, which is of fundamental importance to the mining industry.