Novel methodology for interpretation of magnetic anomalies due to two-dimensional dipping dikes using the Manta Ray Foraging Optimization

The high rate of depletion of mineral resources in different parts of the World has prompted researchers to intensify their search for new deposits. These searches are usually conducted using different geophysical tools and algorithms. The potential and efficacy of adapting the bioinspired Manta rays foraging optimization algorithm (MRFO) as a tool for estimating model parameters of a two-dimensional dyke-like magnetic profile anomalies are investigated. The process of implementing the MRFO algorithm in accurate estimation of four distinctive model parameters- amplitude coefficient, inclination, halfwidth and depth of burial from the surface, of an infinitely dipping dyke was presented. The experimental data comprise synthetically generated magnetic anomalies that were later corrupted with noise at levels of 5, 10, 15 and 20%, and finally, case examples from two mining sites in Peru and China. The algorithm was fast, stable and consistent in its search for the global best solution to each of the geophysical inverse problems, which all terminated before the 1000 iterations fixed for it to do so. Its performance was excellent even in the presence of random noise with varying levels. Thus, the MRFO procedure is accurate and reliable procedure for solving geophysical inverse problems and is recommended for use in modelling other geophysical problems like vertical electrical sounding, gravity, self-potential and magnetotelluric data. •Signals of interest in magnetics comprise from deeply buried structures•process that seeks to estimate model parameters of buried dipping dykes•practicality of adapting the MRFO for resolving geophysical problems is assessed•algorithm trial-tested with synthetic and field examples•studies affirms that the MRFO procedure is fast, accurate and reliable