Deep investigation of muography in discovering geological structures in mineral exploration: a case study of Zaozigou gold mine

Author:

Liu Guorui12,Yao Kaiqiang12,Niu Feiyun12,Li Zhuodai12,Tian Heng12,Li Jiangkun12,Luo Xujia12,Jin Long3,Gao Jinlei3,Rong Jian12,Fu Zhiqiang12,Kang Youxin12,Zhang Weixiong4,Ding Shuhong4,Wang Yuxi4,Zeng Junjie4,Luo Xiaogang4,Tian Xiangsheng4,Shi Wenquan4,Hu Jiqiu4,Zhang Zhiping4,Yu Minghai5,Wu Feng5,Chen Jingjing6,Liu Juntao12,Liu Zhiyi12

Affiliation:

1. MOE Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, 730000, China

2. School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, 730000, China

3. School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, 730000, China

4. Gansu Provincial Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development

5. Hezuo Zaozigou Gold Mine Co., Ltd. of Gansu Province , Gannan, Gansu 747099, China

6. Gansu Xibei Gold Co., Ltd. , Lanzhou, Gansu 730300, China

Abstract

Summary Muography is a promising and rapidly developing physical prospecting technique based on the attenuation of muon flux. The feasibility and potential of applying muography to mining were presented in a small number of previous case studies. In this work, we aimed to address three challenges that limit the applicability and efficiency of muography in mineral exploration: (1) application to low-density-contrast ore body exploration, (2) analysis of altitudinal impacts on measurements, and (3) precise and efficient reconstruction. We conducted the first case of applying muography to the exploration for low-density-contrast ore bodies. Six muon imaging systems were placed underground to collect surviving muons for roughly half a year. We analyzed the altitudinal impact on the data measurements and proposed a simplified method to eliminate it. We also developed the seed algorithm, a novel three-dimensional reconstruction algorithm, that can reconstruct anomalies located far away from the detectors and avoid their elongation along the observed directions. Benefiting from the seed algorithm, a low-density-contrast orebody and a limonitic siliceous slate structure were reconstructed, demonstrating the sensitivity of this technique in density distinction; discoveries of several mined-out areas are important for accident avoidance; and reconstruction of the stope and scarps served as strong circumstantial evidence of the reliability of the result. The success of this experiment shows the great value of muography in the economic, research and safety aspects of mineral exploration and inspection. Moreover, the overcoming of challenges is helpful for the development of muography, making it an effective and competitive technique in this field.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

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1. Omnidirectional borehole detector for muography: Design and performance evaluation;Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment;2024-08

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