Upcoming TALKS

Title: Semi-Airborne EM is Transforming Resource Exploration

Date: Tuesday, April 17th at 4 PM Eastern

Speaker:  Johannes Stoll, Mobile Geophysical Technologies GmbH

Location: Register here - Online

Abstract: 

Airborne and ground electromagnetic methods have been utilized to explore for minerals, groundwater, and other extractable resources for more than six decades. Today, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) configured with a lightweight EM sensor is deployed reducing both time and cost of the data collection. When a ground-based transmitter is utilized, the depth of exploration is increased along with resolution. The net result is a high-definition volumetric map of variations in the surface electrical conductivity. Advances in 3D numerical modeling, data analytics, combined with high-definition geophysical imaging data and AI-concepts have the potential to transform the exploration process from anomaly detection to defining, in significant detail, the geology and geological processes.

Semi-airborne electromagnetics (SAEM) employs a powerful, transmitter to inject electrical current into the subsurface. A drone configured with a lightweight EM receiver is deployed to autonomously map the secondary magnetic field within the area of investigation. SAEM successfully combines the greater depth of investigation achievable with ground-based EM methods with the increased speed of data collection characteristic of airborne geophysical mapping and the reduced per data point cost obtainable with UAVs. Moreover, the higher quality data along with increased spatial data density directly translates to improved, more accurate 3D models.

In this presentation I will show the results of a SAEM survey in a known porphyry copper mining area and a groundwater survey on a volcanic island. Finally, I will discuss concepts to use drone EM to establish 3D array Electromagnetics aiming to enhance the resolution of the subsurface.

Author Biography: 

Johannes B. Stoll, PhD., is the founder and CEO of Mobile Geophysical Technologies GmbH, a drone geophysical service company. Educated in physics and electrochemistry, during his 25 year career in exploration geophysics, he has held numerous positions in the Oil & Gas industry and research institutions.