Seismic Wave Finite-Difference Forward Modeling for Orogenic Gold Deposits

Abstract

The demand for deep prospecting has led to an increase in the enthusiasm for seismic techniques in mineral exploration. Reflection seismology applications in the base metal industry have achieved success. For orogenic gold deposits, however, their applicable conditions remain to be investigated. This paper simulated seismic wave propagation based on a finite-difference algorithm with an accuracy of eighth order in space and second order in time to investigate the factors influencing the reflection seismic exploration results. Then, the paper assessed the algorithm’s feasibility for orogenic gold deposits, taking the giant Zaozigou deposit in central China as an example. The forward modeling showed that the petrophysical properties, dimensions, and dip of targets significantly affected the seismic exploration results. In the Zaozigou model, shallowly dipping orebodies were well imaged with precise extension and thickness. Steeply dipping orebodies were recognized but their thickness information was lost. Steeply dipping orebodies at depth were not detectable under a surface configuration. These problems could be effectively solved by increasing the array length and using vertical seismic profiling methods. For small orebodies, multiwave and multicomponent seismic techniques offered more valuable information in terms of mineral exploration. In conclusion, it was possible to locate orogenic gold deposits using the reflection seismology method.