Affiliation:
1. University of Botswana, Botswana
2. Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Abstract
Results from analogue seismic modelling aimed to investigate the effect that the geometry of a mineral deposit imposes on its seismic response are presented. 3D Seismic data were acquired on two physical models representing the possible end-member geometries of mineral deposits. The physical modelling involved acquisition of 3D pre-stack data on scale models. The results for the ellipsoidal model comprised closed, continuous, circular diffraction patterns in time slices. For the cylindrical model, the quality of the stack was degraded by the scattering caused by the rugged surface. The diffraction patterns were discontinuous and comprised the diagnostic concentric, circular amplitude peaks and troughs which would allow identification of drill targets in field data. The results show that 3D seismic data are valuable in mineral exploration because they provide (1) enhanced spatial resolution, and (2) slices of time help to identify the seismic response of small seismic targets with complex geometry.
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