FUTURE: Fiber-optic sensing and UAV-platform techniques for improved mineral exploration

Purpose and goal:

Future was an initiative for capacity building, technology testing and adaptation of fiber-optic technologies and drone geophysical systems for exploration in brown and in-mine environment. Two test sites were surveyed for both passive and active seismic imaging applications and partners shared their expertise and equipment for these purposes. For the first time in Sweden and in South Africa, fiber-optic sensing technology was adapted for synchronized and simultaneous surface-borehole-tunnel imaging of iron-oxide and gold deposits, respectively.

Expected results and effects:

A fault system was imaged at the Blötberget crosscutting the mineralisation. Borehole fiber-optic recording showed potential for maximizing the value of exploration boreholes. Drone geophysical system was modified to allow on-site processing work and decision-making.

GPS-time system was successfully ruggedized and upgraded to allow accurate time-synchronized surveys in deep mines (in our case in the South Deep gold mine at about 3000 m depth). A number of young professionals performed their research on the data and had a chance to have their hands-on the new technologies.

Approach and implementation:

The how-to solutions from both drone and fiber-optic testing are currently discussed to be spin-off to a start-up company. The GPS-time system was successfully tested and has been IP protected (a Swedish patent) and currently being leased commercially through Nordic Geophysics for similar surveys. Three peer-reviewed articles have been submitted from the Swedish side and over 5 conference presentations have been given about the work.