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Earth Bytes Pty. Ltd. Exploration Geophysics for the Mining Industry Shanti Rajagopalan started Earth Bytes in 1998.
Earth Bytes offers the following services: Send e-mail to shanti@earthbytes.com.
Shanti has worked as a geophysicist for many years in government agencies, for academia and in the exploration industry. Likewise, her work experience has been varied:
Shanti is a member of the SEG and of the ASEG. Interpretation of Geophysical Data At Earth Bytes we specialise in the interpretation of aeromagnetic, gravity and radiometric data for mineral exploration. For example:
We offer training programmes for geologists and geophysicists on the use of geophysics, especially magnetic, gravity and the radiometric methods, in mineral and oil exploration. Courses are tailored to suit the needs of the target group and include interactive computer-modelling and interpretation sessions with model and field data. In all cases, a workshop on geological interpretation of geophysical data forms the focus of the course. The Magnetic Method in Mineral Exploration The magnetic method is the most commonly used method in mineral exploration and is applied over the whole scale from region selection to target identification. This course is focused on the interpretation of aeromagnetic maps in geological terms. An important section covers the inter-relationship between rock magnetism, geological history, magnetic anomalies and ore deposits; an area commonly glossed over in most textbooks on the subject. The course covers geomagnetism, rock magnetism, magnetic anomalies, data enhancement, quantitative and geological interpretation, and design and quality control of airborne surveys. The Gravity Method in Mineral Exploration The gravity method is perhaps the most under-used method. Like the magnetic method, it can be applied over the whole range from project generation to target identification. But the standard approach used is derived from the oil industry where terrain corrections are usually small. In mineral exploration, the target anomaly is usually much smaller than the many corrections applied and the detection, let alone the interpretation, of a target is much more difficult. The course is aimed at the interpretation of regional gravity for project generation and at re-processing of "high-resolution" gravity data for target identification. The Radiometric Method in Mineral Exploration Radiometric data are nearly always collected with aeromagnetic data. High noise associated with older surveys is now minimised by new, multi-spectral processing techniques. The interpreter can now separate alteration signatures associated with mineralisation from gross lithology. The course covers radio-element distribution in rocks, factors contributing to radiometric anomalies, re-processing of multi-spectral data, statistical techniques for pattern recognition, design and quality control of airborne surveys and interpretation techniques. Mineral exploration often generates geophysical problems requiring short-term or long-term solutions. Earth Bytes offers problem solving and research experience on a variety of topics, some of which are listed below:
At Earth Bytes, we produce select computing tools for geophysicists. Our current project is MAGMA (Magnetic Modelling and Analyser), a user-friendly, GIS-based interpreter for magnetic anomalies. Last Revised: 10 September, 2000 |
