Application of Geophysical Methods for Detecting and Mapping Gold-Bearing Zones in Egypt
摘要
Exploration geophysics is crucial for accessing mineral reserves. It is widely acknowledged that many large, easily detectable mineral deposits with strong geophysical signals have already been found. Future discoveries pose considerable challenges, as they are often hidden, located in remote or deep regions, and exhibit weaker geophysical signatures. Detecting and assessing concealed mineral resources deep within metallic mines and their surrounding areas remains technically challenging. The complex topographic and geomorphic conditions on the surface particularly hinder detection efforts, restricting the choice of equipment and data collection devices in these environments. Addressing these modern exploration challenges necessitates the development of innovative geophysical methods, which enhance exploration success and facilitate discoveries. The Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt, on the other hand, is a very potential source for mineralization, and in particular gold (Au) occurrences and deposits. It hosts various styles of gold mineralization, with the most striking features of these styles being their formation during distinct epochs, and their close association with specific rock assemblages characterizing the tectono-magmatic evolution of the Egyptian segment of the Arabian Nubian Shield (ANS). This chapter focuses on how non-magnetic geophysical techniques (e.g. radiometry, electric resistivity, self-potential, and induced polarization (IP)) can help in Au discoveries in the ED. Three case studies are presented with many illustrated figures.