Three-Dimensional Inversion of Induced Polarization Effects in Airborne Time Domain Electromagnetic Data Using the GEMTIP Model

• Published in: Minerals (Basel) Vol. 13; no. 6; p. 779
• Main Authors: Cox, Leif H., Zhdanov, Michael S., Pitcher, Douglas H., Niemi, Jeremy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Algorithms; Analysis; Approximation; Effective medium theory; Electric properties; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Geophysical surveys; Induced polarization; Mathematical models; Mineral exploration; Mineral industry; Mineralization; Mining industry; Physical properties; Polarization; Rock properties; Surveys; Canada; Ontario
• ISSN: 2075-163X; 2075-163X
• DOI: 10.3390/min13060779

This paper discusses the physical and mathematical principles of the airborne induced polarization (IP) method. The possibility of extracting information about the IP properties of rocks from airborne survey data has become a subject of active research recently. We introduce a method for the joint inversion of the airborne EM data into the electrical conductivity and IP parameters based on the generalized effective-medium theory of induced polarization (GEMTIP). We also present the results of the inversion of the airborne EM data collected over the Echum Project Area, in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, into 3D conductivity and chargeability models. Obtaining IP physical property models from an airborne geophysical survey may result in a paradigm change in mineral exploration by pulling more information and value from airborne EM surveys.