Tim Archer
Reid Geophysics Limited
Tim Archer is a geophysical consultant with over eighteen years of industry experience. After seven years with Anglo American, he moved from South Africa to the UK in 2001, and set up a near surface geophysical business which he ran for 11 years. In 2014, he started working with Dr Alan Reid, offering gravity, magnetic and EM consultancy to petroleum, mineral and UXO explorers worldwide.
Modern Airborne Geophysics for European Mineral Exploration
Geophysical methods have been used to locate mineral deposits for over 100 years. Ground-based surveys can be very effective, but they are time-consuming, and difficult or impossible in areas that are mountainous, waterlogged or heavily vegetated. Airborne geophysical techniques, however, can rapidly survey large areas, often over challenging terrain. Variations in density, magnetism, radioactivity and conductivity can be studied to assist with geological mapping and direct targeting. Exploration managers can then make better decisions regarding detailed and expensive ground-based exploration activities.
Geophysical equipment and processing techniques are constantly being adapted to enhance exploration effectiveness and reduce survey cost. Airborne geophysical systems are now capable of collecting hundreds of line kilometres of data per day, with preliminary results often available to clients within less than a week. Recent examples from European and non-European projects will be used to demonstrate the range of airborne geophysical techniques currently available to mineral explorers.