Application of 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography in the Yeoncheon Titanomagnetite Deposit, South Korea

Abstract

The Yeoncheon titanomagnetite deposit formed by Precambrian magma differentiation is located in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Our team conducted an airborne magnetic survey for multiscale mineral exploration and then selected a promising survey area. An electrical resistivity survey was carried out in the potential area to image subsurface structure. Because ore minerals are mainly distributed in gabbro monzodiorite rather than quartz monzodiorite, we applied three-dimensional inversion of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) data to identify lithology boundaries related to magma differentiation. The resistivity criterion distinguishing the lithologies of gabbro and quartz monzodiorite was determined from laboratory resistivity experimental results performed on drilling cores. The selected region for gabbro monzodiorite extends to the northeast direction, which is consistent with the geology map, magnetic anomaly, and drilling data. The inversion results of ERT can help in selecting the location of geophysical survey or drilling.