MER Today Spring 2017 MER Newsletter - May2017 | Page 5
kilometres of data were often collected exploration objectives. This is all done in one
during a single day, unprecedented in HTEM mobilization with crew and helicopter still
surveys, with total coverage completed in on site as data is delivered. The combination
only forty‐three (43) days. of speed of acquisition combined with
While the initial objective was to map to at
least 300 m, SkyTEM312 FAST resolved geology
in some areas to a depths approaching 500
m. Data, including 1D inversions, were
delivered every 48 hours for quick review of
tactical selection of flight lines contributes
not only to efficiency and economic benefits
but also to providing exploration
management with near real‐time data to
make appropriate management decisions.
the data throughout the project. One result
from access to near real‐time data was
Geoscience BC’s ability to optimize the flight
plan with a focus on identified areas of
particular interest.
Cost efficiencies form near‐real‐
time advanced deliverables Best of Both Worlds: high dipole
By taking full advantage of the rapid increase moment (nia) and high signal to
in acquisition speed and delivery of
advanced products, exploration budgets can
be reduced in a few ways. The ability to
acquire over 1,000 line kilometres of data per
day combined with fast data delivery allows
exploration managers to consider flying an
area regionally, with wide flight line spacing
and greatly reduced helicopter hours. Results
from each days flying can be reviewed and
geological trends and anomalies identified.
Areas of interest can be strategically targeted
for infill lines or extended flight lines thereby
reducing time in the field while maximizing
4 | P a g e
noise ratio (SNR)
TMAC Resources conducted a SkyTEM
survey in the summer of 2015 over their Hope
Bay and Elu gold mining project areas in
Nunavut. The survey required the
acquisition of 15,000 line kilometres of data
to supplement previous exploration carried
out on the Greenstone belt. The depth to
known mineralization was in the order of
500 m or more so a high‐powered SkyTEM
system was configured to operate with an
NIA of 1,000,000. In Figure below, the
SkyTEM resistivity data (blue) is in good