Can Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Survey Detect Graphite Deposits in the Subsurface? Initial Results from Daltanganj, Jharkhand

Authors

  • Arkoprovo Biswas
     Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal – 462 066, Madhya Pradesh
  • Shashi Prakash Sharma
     Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Bhopal – 462 066, Madhya Pradesh

Keywords:

VLF-EM, Graphitic Mineralization, Conductivity, Daltanganj, Jharkhand.

Abstract

Very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) survey has been carried out near an open cast mine of graphite deposit in Daltanganj, India. The area has a small mineable open cast mine where mining companies are digging randomly to excavate graphite deposits. The miners fail to find a good amount of graphite deposit as they do not have any prior knowledge about the actual structure and deposition.Since graphite is a non-metallic mineral but holds high conductivity contrast with its neighboring host rocks (Granite gneiss/schist), electromagnetic survey is suitable to map the area. Therefore VLF-EM survey was conducted near the open cast mine to determine the sub-surface graphite deposit and their structural control.The present study shows that there are thick conducting zones associated mainly with graphite mineralization located near to the old mine with a depth of around 40 m and width of ∼ 80m. VLF-EM effectively utilized to target the sub-surface graphite mineralization and associated structures in reducing the cost and time for further geophysical surveys. However, other geoelectrical methods can be used to validate the graphite deposits.

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Issue

Volume 86, Issue 5, November 2015

Section

Research Articles

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Published

2015-11-01

How to Cite

Biswas, A., & Sharma, S. P. (2015). Can Very Low Frequency Electromagnetic Survey Detect Graphite Deposits in the Subsurface? Initial Results from Daltanganj, Jharkhand. Journal of Geological Society of India, 86(5), 530–534. Retrieved from http://www.geosocindia.com/index.php/jgsi/article/view/81036

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