Aero magnetic maps are used to visualize the earth's magnetic field to identify changes in the distribution of magnetic minerals in the earth's crust. These maps are useful in mineral exploration, including gold prospecting. Gold deposits are often associated with magnetic minerals, such as pyrrhotite, which can be detected using aero magnetic surveys. In this technical paper, we will discuss how to use an aero magnetic map to prospect for gold.
Step 1: Find the Aero Magnetic Survey
To create an aero magnetic map, an aircraft equipped with a magnetometer flies over the area of interest. The magnetometer measures variations in the earth's magnetic field and records them as magnetic anomalies. The anomalies can then be used to create a map that shows the distribution of magnetic minerals in the earth's crust. When prospecting for gold, it is important to ensure that the survey is conducted at a low altitude to ensure that the magnetometer can detect even the slightest variations in the magnetic field.
Step 2: Interpreting the Map
The aero magnetic map will show areas of high and low magnetic intensity. Areas of high intensity indicate the presence of magnetic minerals, while areas of low intensity indicate the absence of magnetic minerals. In the case of gold prospecting, areas of high magnetic intensity are of particular interest since gold deposits are often associated with magnetic minerals.
Step 3: Identifying Target Areas
Once the aero magnetic map has been created and interpreted, target areas for gold prospecting can be identified. Target areas are locations where high magnetic intensity is present, indicating the potential presence of gold deposits. The size and shape of the target areas will depend on the distribution of magnetic minerals in the area.
Step 4: Ground Truthing
Before conducting further exploration work, it is important to ground truth the target areas. Ground truthing involves verifying the presence of magnetic minerals on the ground using ground-based magnetic surveys or geophysical techniques such as electrical resistivity or induced polarization. This step is crucial in verifying the accuracy of the aero magnetic map and ensuring that the target areas identified are indeed prospective for gold.
Step 5: Further Exploration
Once the target areas have been identified and ground truthed, further exploration work can be conducted to confirm the presence of gold deposits. This may include drilling, trenching, or bulk sampling to determine the grade and extent of the gold mineralization.
Aero magnetic maps are a powerful tool in gold prospecting. By identifying areas of high magnetic intensity, prospectors can target their exploration efforts on areas that are more likely to contain gold deposits. However, it is important to ground truth the target areas to verify the accuracy of the aero magnetic map and ensure that the areas identified are indeed prospective for gold. With careful interpretation and ground truthing, aero magnetic maps can significantly increase the efficiency and success of gold exploration programs.
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