Application of Transient Electromagnetic (TEM) Method for Delineation of Mineralized Fracture Zones

Abstract

Fracture zones have always been areas of interest in mineral exploration. These geological structures are often studied and mapped as prospective zones for mineralization through the process of hydrothermal alteration. The transient electromagnetic (TEM) survey has been utilized to delineate the possible mineralized fracture zone of eastern Kuantan, Pahang. 35 single loop TEM soundings were acquired in a scattered manner over a region of high relief terrain, encompassing an area of approximately 5 km². Data acquisition was conducted using the TerraTEM system by Monex Geoscope, with a 30 m x 30 m wire loop. The wire loop functions both as the transmitter coil and the receiver coil. The TEM responses indicate the presence of 3 electrically conductive zones (A, B and C) which are attributed to possible mineralized fracture regions within the country rock. All three regions record high conductivity readings with values of more than 15 mS/m and have a directional trend of NW-SE orientation. Target A is observed to be 300 m in width (E-W) and extends to 100 m in depth while B and C both have larger dimensions, exceeding 400 m in length (E-W) and up to depths of 150 m. The 3-D model generated from the 1-D soundings of the TEM dataset demonstrates the anomaly patterns that could be caused by the electrically conductive fracture zones within a resistive metasediment country rock. Geoelectrical properties of targets A, B and C may suggest the location of possible mineralized fracture zones within the study area.