Establishing an integrated workflow identifying and linking surface and subsurface lineaments for mineral exploration under cover: Example from the Gawler Craton, South Australia

Abstract

Abstract. Mineral exploration in areas comprising thick and complex cover represents an intrinsic challenge in Australia. Cost and time efficient methods that help to narrow down exploration areas are therefore of particular interest to the Australian mining industry and for mineral exploration world wide. Based on a case study around the Tarcoola gold mine in the regolith dominated South Australian Central Gawler Craton we suggest an exploration targeting workflow based on the joint analysis of surface and subsurface lineaments. The datasets utilized in this study are a digital elevation model and radiometrics that represent surface signals and total magnetic intensity and gravity attributed to subsurface signals. We compare automatically and manually mapped lineament sets derived from remotely sensed data. In order to establish an integrated concept for exploration through cover based on the best suited lineament data, we will point out the most striking differences between the automatically and manually detected lineaments and compare the datasets that represent surficial in contrast to subsurface structures. After determining which mapping technique is best suited for preliminary exploration in regolith dominated areas, such as the Central Gawler Craton, we will show how merging surface and subsurface lineament data may prove useful for mapping prospective areas. We propose that target areas are represented by areas of high lineament densities that are adjacent to regions comprising high density of intersections.