In-mine Underground Tunnel Seismic Experiment, using High-resolution Reflection Seismic Method at Maseve Mine, Rustenburg, South Africa.

Abstract

Modern mineral exploration relies on the application of advanced, contemporary geophysical techniques to narrow down the search for orebody deposits and mine development (Malehmir et al. 2017; Manzi et al. 2020). The seismic method has long been recognized as an effective tool for studying the subsurface for a variety of applications, such as mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, engineering problems, geotechnical evaluations, environmental studies, hydrogeological investigations, seismic risk assessment, and archaeology (Brodic et al. 2017; Manzi et al. 2020). The reflection seismic method is undoubtedly an effective geophysical technique for detailed and reliable imaging of any complex subsurface geological structures (Malehmir et al. 2017; Manzi et al. 2020). The past few years have witnessed an increase in interest of in-mine seismic applications, which employ specific combinations of seismic acquisition, processing, and interpretation techniques in hard-rock and deep mining environments to improve the imaging of the orebodies (Manzi et al. 2020). Malehmir et al [2017] has deployed high-density receiver and source arrays to improve the acquisition seismic bandwidth using broadband sources. Brodic et al [2017] and others have also conducted surface-tunnel-seismic surveys using a three-component (3C) microelectro-mechanical (MEMSbased) seismic landstreamer, coupled with wireless seismic recorders. The combination of these innovative approaches can nurture new ideas on how the in-mine infrastructures (shafts, tunnels, boreholes, and drifts) can be utilized to design seismic experiments that may provide fresh insights into structural imaging of the subsurface geology.