Comprehensive geological exploration methods and application

The geological survey aims to comprehensively study and understand the geological environment, rock structure, hydrological condition, and distribution of mineral resources in a specific region through various survey techniques. This will provide technical support and guidance for the subsequent exploitation of mineral resources and engineering construction.

Applying comprehensive geological exploration technology can satisfy the thorough mastery of regional geological conditions and ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the exploration data, providing scientific and reasonable guidance for engineering projects and mineral resources development.

To promote the comprehensive development of geological exploration, it is necessary to continuously optimize the technical means and improve the working efficiency to meet the objectives and tasks of geological exploration. This requires thoroughly combining the characteristics of various types of exploration technology, scientific integration of technical advantages, rational selection and application, and providing a solid guarantee for the efficient and orderly development of geological exploration work.

Comprehensive geological exploration methods and their application

1. Geophysical exploration technology

Geophysical exploration is based on the physical properties of minerals. It obtains geophysical field information by sending and receiving signals through detecting instruments to judge the location of geological structures and mineral deposits. The techniques commonly used in this method include:

• The geo-radar method.
• The transient electromagnetic method.
• The direct current method.
• The geodetic resistivity method.
• The high-density resistivity method.

Geophysical exploration is suitable for exploring hidden coal fields or deposits and can provide information on bedrock fluctuation, soil composition distribution, and aquifer conditions. However, its disadvantage is that the level of detail needs to be improved, and it is susceptible to interference by many factors. Therefore, the survey results need to be verified by other methods.

2. Pit exploration works

Pit exploration engineering, also known as excavation or tunnel exploration, obtains samples of the original state of rock and soil by digging tunnels to more intuitively understand the stratigraphic information. Before prospecting, it is necessary to prejudge the depth and size of soil samples and reasonably design the test pit size.

The test pit project includes investigating and cleaning test pits, test shafts, test lanes, and small kilns with higher precision than geophysical exploration. The construction requires using standard techniques and adjusting excavation methods according to actual needs to ensure the pit walls’ stability and personnel’s safety. However, this method is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and risky, so weighing the pros and cons according to the actual needs and choosing to use it is necessary.

3. Drilling

Drilling uses drilling rigs to penetrate the ground cover and obtain cores or soil samples to analyze the stratigraphic structure and soil or rock properties. Common types of drilling rigs include rotary, percussive, and composite.

Care should be taken during drilling to prevent borehole collapse or wall instability. Casing or flushing fluids may stabilize the sound wall in areas with abundant groundwater or thin strata. Drilling is usually used with geophysical exploration to compensate for the latter’s shortcomings and inaccurate data acquisition, especially for areas with complex geological conditions.

4. Remote Sensing

Remote sensing technology has become an advanced means of geological exploration due to its ability not to need to touch the ground surface. Remote sensing technology can present geological conditions by acquiring multi-spectral satellite or aerial images, combined with electromagnetic wave transmission and feedback.

This technology is suitable for continuously exploring surface and underground geological conditions, especially in complex areas where other exploration techniques, such as oil and gas reservoirs, are challenging to implement. The main advantage of remote sensing technology is the high degree of automation, which can save labor but is greatly affected by weather.

5. Geological mapping

Geological mapping is the final part of the survey work. After obtaining the geological base data or remote sensing images, the geological information is drawn on the geographic base map according to the scale, forming geological maps. These geological maps provide essential guidance for subsequent mineral development and engineering construction.

Geological surveys are essential for mineral resource development and engineering construction. Using various technical means, they can not only comprehensively understand the geological conditions but also improve the efficiency and precision of the survey and provide a scientific basis for economic development and resource development.

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