Geophysical Surveys For Precious Metal Exploration In The Basin And Range, Nevada

In the Basin and Range Province of Nevada, geophysics is used to assist exploration for bulk minable gold deposits, particularly over pediments. It is employed for mapping thickness of alluvium and Tertiary valley fill, for mapping covered structures, and for identifying alteration zones. In addition to potential field and seismic methods, three different electrical and electromagnetic methods are frequently used, resistivity-induced polarization, controlled source audiomagnetotellurics, and time domain EM. A review and comparison of the principles of these methods, illustrated by case histories, is the topic of this paper.