Patent ID: 6560537
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
An exploration process for evaluating a plurality of geological regions which are candidates for massive sulphide deposits, comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining impedance characteristics for corresponding strata located in a selected one of said geological regions; (b) analyzing the impedance characteristics for determining the presence of impedance transitions from one of the strata to another; (c) validating the presence of a host lithology in said strata of the selected region based on said impedance transitions by determining whether said host lithology is substantially acoustically transparent, such that the host lithology is represented by a seismic profile which contains a substantial absence of impedance markers of magnitude greater than that of any survey noise present in said impedance characteristics; and (d) confirming the selected region possesses a host stratigraphy that is substantially acoustically transparent and is therefore a candidate for a subsequent seismic investigation for massive sulphide deposits.