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With strategic mineral exploration extending to deep and complex geological settings, traditional methods increasingly struggle to dissect metallogenic systems and locate ore bodies precisely. This synthesis of current progress in muon imaging (a technology leveraging cosmic ray muons’ high penetration) aims to address these exploration challenges. Muon imaging operates by exploiting the energy attenuation of cosmic ray muons when penetrating earth media. It records muon transmission trajectories via high-precision detector arrays and constructs detailed subsurface density distribution images through advanced 3D inversion algorithms, enabling non-invasive detection of deep ore bodies. This review is organized into four thematic sections: (1) technical principles of muon imaging; (2) practical applications and advantages in ore exploration; (3) current challenges in deployment; (4) optimization strategies and future prospects. In practical applications, muon imaging has demonstrated unique advantages: it penetrates thick overburden and high-resistance rock masses to delineate blind ore bodies, with simultaneous gains in exploration efficiency and cost reduction. Optimized data acquisition and processing further allow it to capture dynamic changes in rock mass structure over hours to days, supporting proactive mine safety management. However, challenges remain, including complex muon event analysis, long data acquisition cycles, and limited distinguishability for low-density-contrast formations. It discusses solutions via multi-source geophysical data integration, optimized acquisition strategies, detector performance improvements, and intelligent data processing algorithms to enhance practicality and reliability. Future advancements in muon imaging are expected to drive breakthroughs in ultra-deep ore-forming system exploration, positioning it as a key force in innovating strategic mineral resource exploration technologies.
Details
Tomography;
Mineral exploration;
Mineral resources;
Gravity;
Gas detectors;
Geophysical data;
Data integration;
Localization;
Overburden;
Resource exploration;
Strategic materials;
Algorithms;
Cultural heritage;
Minerals;
Scientists;
Data processing;
Rock masses;
Data analysis;
Rocks;
Cosmic rays;
Particle physics;
Geology;
Muons;
Monte Carlo simulation;
National security;
Occupational safety;
Imaging;
Earth science;
Cosmic radiation;
Mining accidents & safety;
Density distribution;
Metallogenesis;
Penetration resistance;
Safety management
; Liu, Juntao 2
; Su Baopeng 3
; Yao Kaiqiang 3
; Cai Xinyu 3
; Zhang Rongqing 4 ; Li, Ting 5
; Deng Hengliang 5 ; Li Jiangkun 6 ; Shi, Yan 5
; Liu, Zhiyi 2
1 School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (X.Z.); [email protected] (J.L.); [email protected] (B.S.); [email protected] (K.Y.); [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (J.L.), School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (T.L.); [email protected] (H.D.); [email protected] (S.Y.)
2 School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (X.Z.); [email protected] (J.L.); [email protected] (B.S.); [email protected] (K.Y.); [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (J.L.), Frontiers Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China, National Nuclear Industry Research Institute, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China, VMI-China, International Virtual Muography Institute—China, Lanzhou 730000, China
3 School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (X.Z.); [email protected] (J.L.); [email protected] (B.S.); [email protected] (K.Y.); [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (J.L.)
4 Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals and Geological Environment Monitoring, Ministry of Education, Central South University, Changsha 410017, China; [email protected]
5 School of Information Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (T.L.); [email protected] (H.D.); [email protected] (S.Y.)
6 School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China; [email protected] (X.Z.); [email protected] (J.L.); [email protected] (B.S.); [email protected] (K.Y.); [email protected] (X.C.); [email protected] (J.L.), Airborne Survey and Remote Sensing Center of Nuclear Industry, Shijiazhuang 050000, China