Regional-Scale Mineral Exploration Through Joint Inversion and Geology
Differentiation Based on Multiphysics Geoscientific Data in the QUEST
Project Area
Abstract
Airborne geophysics is widely used in mineral exploration because it
provides rapid collection of multiple types of geophysical data over
large areas. The availability of multiphysics data is potentially useful
because it can lead to a common earth model consistent with all
available data and prior information. However, quantitative integration
of regional-scale multiphysics airborne geophysical data is rarely
reported in literature. We focused on an under-explored region of
British Columbia between Williams Lake and Mackenize, namely, the QUEST
Project area, where airborne gravity and magnetic data were available.
We used a workflow consisting of two key components: joint inversion and
geology differentiation. Joint inversion allows us to construct
structurally similar physical property models. Geology differentiation
classifies the jointly inverted physical property values into distinct
classes and builds a 3D quasi-geology model that shows the spatial
distribution of different geological units. Prior geological information
from various sources is also used when performing geology
differentiation. We applied the workflow to the airborne gravity and
magnetic data from the Quesnel terrane in central British Columbia. We
have successfully identified 9 different geological units. Our results
allowed for a more detailed classification of the geology beneath a
thick overburden of glacial sediments and we have also identified
potential targets for future detailed surveys that are spatially
correlated to known mineral deposits (Mount Milligan, Lorraine,
Takla-Rainbow, and Kwanika deposits). Our work provides guidance for
follow-up detailed surveys in the Quesnel terrane and highlights the
benefits of integrated interpretation of multiphysics geoscientific
data.