Downhole physical property logging for iron-oxide exploration, rock quality, and mining: An example from central Sweden

Several physical properties obtained from geophysical logging and laboratory measurements were analyzed in order to characterize iron-oxide mineralization and host rocks in the Blotberget mining area of central Sweden. Seven boreholes intersecting the mineralization between 300 and 600 m depth in a volcano-sedimentary setting were downhole logged for this purpose. The downhole logging included full-waveform triple sonic, natural gamma, magnetic susceptibility, formation resistivity, fluid temperature and conductivity while laboratory measurements consisted of density, rock quality designation and magnetite content measurements. Full-waveform sonic data were used for rock quality assessments of the mineralized zones and their host rocks and proved their potential to be used for mine planning purposes. The ore-bearing rocks are primarily distinguished by increased density and dynamic elastic moduli estimated from the full-waveform sonic logging. Although seismic velocities do not follow a linear increase with the density for the mineralized rocks, as expected for igneous rocks, it is observed that a strong seismic signal from the mineralization can be expected primarily due to their high density. In addition, the full-waveform sonic data could be used as a proxy for fracture delineations and in situ rock quality assessment. For example, zones of washed-up amplitudes in these data correlate well with zones of poor quality rocks, identified by core logging. Based on the full-waveform sonic data, seismic attenuation and its reciprocal, the seismic quality factor, were calculated. A decrease in the seismic quality factor was observed at zones with low rock quality designation, but also correlated with the mineralized zones suggesting several fracture zones in the mineralization and that the ore-bearing rocks might be less competent than the surrounding host rocks. Eventual rock support and reinforcement might be required for future mining operations. Full-waveform sonic data have the potential to improve rock quality assessments for mine planning and exploration purposes.