From Regional Seismics to High-Resolution Resource Delineation: Example from the Outokumpu Ore District, Eastern Finland

Abstract

Summary We present an overview of the seismic exploration initiatives at the Outokumpu ore district in Eastern Finland, with new results from the COGITO-MIN active-passive seismic survey in 2016. Through this example from Outokumpu, we aim to demonstrate the possibilities of different types of seismic data, including new emerging, cost-effective methodologies, for different stages of mineral exploration. Building on two earlier seismic reflection 2D campaigns in the area, the COGITO-MIN project acquired new types of active and passive seismic data at the Kylylahti sulphide mine site within the Outokumpu ore district. Overall, the new experiments consisted of 2D seismic measurements, sparse active-source and passive 3D seismic surveys, as well a VSP survey partly utilizing novel fibre-optic DAS technology. The experiments were designed with different stages of the exploration workflow in mind; from mapping of the ore host rocks at larger scale to high-resolution resource delineation.