AIG WA: Near surface passive seismic surveying for regolith cover to sedimentary basin scale mapping: mineral exploration, mining, geotechnical and hydrogeological studies

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > Events > AIG WA: Near surface passive seismic surveying for regolith cover to sedimentary basin scale mapping: mineral exploration, mining, geotechnical and hydrogeological studies

AIG WA: Near surface passive seismic surveying for regolith cover to sedimentary basin scale mapping: mineral exploration, mining, geotechnical and hydrogeological studies


AIG WA presents…

Near surface passive seismic surveying for regolith cover to sedimentary basin scale mapping: mineral exploration, mining, geotechnical and hydrogeological studies

Presented by

DR JAYSON MEYERS (RESOURCE POTENTIALS) and
DR CHRIS WIJNS (FIRST QUANTUM MINERALS)

 

 

Date

Tuesday, 2nd May 2017
8:30am registration
9:00am start to 5:30pm, followed by a happy hour for networking

 

Venue

Burswood on Swan
1 Camfield Dr, Burswood WA 6100

 

Near-surface passive seismic surveying methods, which survey above 1,000m depth, rely on ambient seismic vibra-tions within the earth to estimate depth and shear wave velocity of layers sitting above strong acoustic impedance contrasts, mainly the top of fresh bedrock and some layers above. This signal is recorded at single seismometer stations, or by using seismometer arrays, which are moved around in a survey area for subsurface mapping applica-tions. The ambient source energy is mainly in the form of microseisms (0.1-1 Hz) produced by natural phenomena, such as large ocean waves rolling in along the coast, wind pressure and swaying vegetation, deeper micro-seismic events (faulting, volcanic/magmatic, geothermal, etc) and fracking, or in the form of microtremors (1-60 Hz) from near surface anthropogenic sources, such as vehicles, trains, earthworks, etc. Microseismic signal is constant, comes from all directions, and can travel across entire continents. Therefore, it can be detected by passive seismic surveying anywhere without the need for active seismic sources, especially during recording times of 10 minutes or more. The seismometer systems used for carrying out passive seismic surveys are becoming smaller and easier to deploy, software has become user friendly, and data processing results can be turned around within hours after data are collected; all at relatively low cost. Trial surveys by geologists, geophysicists, engineers, hydrologists and peo-ple without technical backgrounds are showing robust results in geological settings where there is strong acoustic impedance contrast at depth. This is starting to justify the use of passive seismic surveying for sub-surface mapping to target drilling, constraining geological layering between drillholes, and helping to reduce the amount drilling. For example, passive seismic surveying is beginning to be routinely used for mapping paleochannel geometry and thick-ness by a few explorers of Li and SOP brines, alluvial mineral placers, paleochannel uranium deposits, shallow coal deposits, groundwater supplies, building materials, etc. It is also being used for geotechnical site surveying, quarry studies, earthquake hazard mapping, and other kinds of environmental and engineering applications.

Presentations will be given by academics, government survey geoscientists, and industry explorers. Basic near-surface passive seismic theory will be presented in a manner accessible to geologists without a physics or mathematics background, with the main emphasis being placed on the horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method, which is starting to be used for production surveys, especially in conjunction with other complementary geophysical survey methods. A large number of case studies will be presented covering a range of mineral deposit styles and different geological and regolith settings. There will be a discussion time following the presentations.

Convenors on behalf of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists
Dr Jayson Meyers, Resource Potentials & Dr Chris Wijns, First Quantum Minerals

 

Presentations by
  • Chris Wijns, First Quantum
  • Jayson Meyers, Resource Potentials
  • Alexei Gorbotov, Geoscience Australia
  • Ruth Murdie, GSWA
  • Tim Dean, Curtin University
  • Huaiyu Yuan, UWA
  • Sharna Riley, Resource Potentials
  • Matthew Owers, Resource Potentials
  • Leon Mathews, Atlas Geophysical
  • Andrew Fitzpatrick, Cameco
  • John Sinnott, Resource Potentials
  • Kevin Stephens, Fortescue Metals
  • Karen Pittard, Intellex Geoscience
  • Andrew Foley, GoldFields

Presentations from the seminar are now available here for preview and download – https://www.aig.org.au/librar/seminar-presentations/wa-branch-presentations/aig-wa-presentations-near-surface-passive-seismic-surveying/

 

Sponsors

Thank you to our supportive sponsors for the support for this event.

 

     

 

Registrations

Register via the online form below to reserve your place.

AIG members $220
Non-members $375
Students or Unemployed geoscientists $110 (A number of places for students and unemployed are available)

All prices include GST, teas and lunch.
For any booking reservation issues or enquiries please email bookings@aig.org.au.

 

 

Further information

For further information contact Jocelyn Thomson: jaytee@iinet.net.au, Jayson Meyers: jaysonm@respot.com.au, Chris Wijns: Chris.Wijns@fqml.com

Download the event flyer.

 

Bookings

Registrations have now closed.