Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil
Planning in mineral extraction is fundamental to the operational and economic success of a mine, with an emphasis on reducing costs during exploration and the safety of operations. This study focused on small-scale mining operations to produce diabase gravel, an important input in civil building. Th...
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Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Geofísica Internacional |
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| Online Access: | https://revistagi.geofisica.unam.mx/index.php/RGI/article/view/1787 |
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| author | Lenon Melo Ilha Cesar Augusto Moreira Leonides Guirelli Neto Henrique Masquelin Ana Flavia da Silva Araújo Luiza Lima Alves |
| author_facet | Lenon Melo Ilha Cesar Augusto Moreira Leonides Guirelli Neto Henrique Masquelin Ana Flavia da Silva Araújo Luiza Lima Alves |
| author_sort | Lenon Melo Ilha |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Planning in mineral extraction is fundamental to the operational and economic success of a mine, with an emphasis on reducing costs during exploration and the safety of operations. This study focused on small-scale mining operations to produce diabase gravel, an important input in civil building. The profile of residential construction in Brazil and other South American countries has historically depended on local materials such as sand, clay and stone. However, the operational viability of small-scale mines is closely linked to low-cost conditions, including soil thickness, rock homogeneity and water pumping costs. This study presents a case of using the geophysical method of electroresistivity, specifically electrical resistivity tomography, in a diabase gravel mining operation. Exploring deeper into the mine, the presence of granite was discovered at different depths, which implies various drilling, blasting and crushing costs. The distinction between diabase and granite, despite their similarities in electrical resistivity, is crucial for mine planning and project viability. The study overcame scientific and technological challenges, based on the geological/structural characteristics of each rock and on climatic and seasonal variables. The use of electrical resistivity tomography proved to be an effective solution, offering satisfactory results for mapping and discriminating between diabase and granite, providing crucial information for mine planning and potentially reducing operating costs. This work highlights the growing importance of applying geophysical methods to small-scale mining operations, as they can be an investigative technique to help with specific challenges faced by these operations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-18b7cbd7429d40c8abbee537a8f6ec6b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0016-7169 2954-436X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Geofísica |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geofísica Internacional |
| spelling | doaj-art-18b7cbd7429d40c8abbee537a8f6ec6b2025-08-20T03:31:23ZengUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de GeofísicaGeofísica Internacional0016-71692954-436X2025-07-016431641165510.22201/igeof.2954436xe.2025.64.3.17871787Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern BrazilLenon Melo Ilha0https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8570-8537Cesar Augusto Moreira1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6949-6679Leonides Guirelli Neto2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7044-4534Henrique Masquelin3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6385-9715Ana Flavia da Silva Araújo4https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8054-1353Luiza Lima Alves5https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9285-0110Pampa Federal University - UNIPAMPA, Caçapava do Sul city, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.São Paulo State University UNESP, Geosciences and Exact Sciences Institute, Department of Geology, Rio Claro city, São Paulo State, Brazil.Institute for Technological Research IPT, Cities, Infrastructure and Environment Department, São Paulo city, São Paulo State, Brazil.Universidad de la República UDELAR, Facultad de Ciencias, Montevideo city, Montevideo Department, Uruguay.São Paulo State University UNESP, Graduation program in Geosciences and Environmental Science, , Rio Claro city, São Paulo State, Brazil.São Paulo State University UNESP, Graduation program in Geosciences and Environmental Science, , Rio Claro city, São Paulo State, Brazil.Planning in mineral extraction is fundamental to the operational and economic success of a mine, with an emphasis on reducing costs during exploration and the safety of operations. This study focused on small-scale mining operations to produce diabase gravel, an important input in civil building. The profile of residential construction in Brazil and other South American countries has historically depended on local materials such as sand, clay and stone. However, the operational viability of small-scale mines is closely linked to low-cost conditions, including soil thickness, rock homogeneity and water pumping costs. This study presents a case of using the geophysical method of electroresistivity, specifically electrical resistivity tomography, in a diabase gravel mining operation. Exploring deeper into the mine, the presence of granite was discovered at different depths, which implies various drilling, blasting and crushing costs. The distinction between diabase and granite, despite their similarities in electrical resistivity, is crucial for mine planning and project viability. The study overcame scientific and technological challenges, based on the geological/structural characteristics of each rock and on climatic and seasonal variables. The use of electrical resistivity tomography proved to be an effective solution, offering satisfactory results for mapping and discriminating between diabase and granite, providing crucial information for mine planning and potentially reducing operating costs. This work highlights the growing importance of applying geophysical methods to small-scale mining operations, as they can be an investigative technique to help with specific challenges faced by these operations.https://revistagi.geofisica.unam.mx/index.php/RGI/article/view/1787mineral extractionsterilegeophysics |
| spellingShingle | Lenon Melo Ilha Cesar Augusto Moreira Leonides Guirelli Neto Henrique Masquelin Ana Flavia da Silva Araújo Luiza Lima Alves Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil Geofísica Internacional mineral extraction sterile geophysics |
| title | Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil |
| title_full | Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil |
| title_short | Application of Electrical Resistivity Tomography for Cost-Effective Planning in Diabase Gravel Mining Operations in Southeastern Brazil |
| title_sort | application of electrical resistivity tomography for cost effective planning in diabase gravel mining operations in southeastern brazil |
| topic | mineral extraction sterile geophysics |
| url | https://revistagi.geofisica.unam.mx/index.php/RGI/article/view/1787 |
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