Additional exploration of gold deposit in Chukotka by AMT and MVP

Abstract

The integration of geochemical and geophysical methods was applied to epithermal gold-quartz veins exploration in Chukotka tundra (North-East Russia). The feature of the investigated area is that the gold-quartz veins are blind and are located 50-120 m below the surface under the layers of low-resistive andesitic tuff. The Audiomagnetotelluric Soundings (AMT) and Magnetovariational Profiling (MVP) methods have been applied. Ability to carry out work, productivity and the accuracy of measurements were achieved via application of precision field tripods for magnetic sensors installation. The analysis of AMT-MVP data has shown its high sensitivity to geoelectrical cross-section changes in wide depth interval. The position of known quarts-gold vein zone has been determined as a high resistivity zones. Consequently, based on the AMT and MVP data interpretation results, prognosis of new dikes has been done in the late 2013. All prognoses were confirmed by 2014 drilling program and new discoveries are estimated at around 50 ton of gold. Therefore, AMT-MVP could be considered as a very useful technique for these geological conditions.