Airborne Electromagnetics

DMT has over 20 years’ experience managing and interpreting airborne geophysical surveys. Applications for airborne geophysical surveys include: groundwater exploration and investigation, oil and gas exploration, mining exploration, aggregate exploration and geotechnical engineering investigations.

DMT specializes in Integrated Geo-modelling, making use of geological knowledge, borehole and other geophysical data as input to inversion and interpretation of the EM data to sort out complex geology. From our head office in Calgary, DMT has managed and interpreted over 40 airborne EM and magnetic surveys in Alberta for groundwater, oil sands and heavy oil exploration and development. Airborne EM is used for fresh groundwater exploration and also for mapping saline water, acidic water and other types of contamination. Bituminous sands, rich McMurray and some shallow gas reservoirs (Pleistocene channels, paleovalleys, paleochannels, incised or glacial fluvial valleys and buried channels such as those in northern Alberta) can also be imaged with EM. Aggregates and certain rock formations that are of geotechnical interest can be mapped with EM.

Airborne EM has been extensively used in exploration for precious metal, base metal, diamonds and many other commodities. DMT is well positioned to supply expertise from our Vancouver office for mining exploration projects. The EM method relies on there being a significant electrical contrast between the target and surrounding material. The size, depth and resistivity contrast of the target are important factors which should be evaluated in advance of conducting an aerial geophysical survey. DMT draws on extensive experience in a variety of geological environments worldwide and can assist in evaluating existing data and in feasibility and design of new airborne geophysical surveys to match the required specifications.

Please contact DMT for more information and examples.