A GYRO-ORIENTED 3-COMPONENT BOREHOLE MAGNETOMETER FOR MINERAL PROSPECTING, WITH EXAMPLES OF ITS APPLICATION

A triple axis borehole magnetometer is described that consists of a Foerster-probe (fluxgate) triplet (sensitivity 1 nT), a Foerster-probe gradiometer (sensitivity 2 nT/40 cm), a gyro unit (mean angular drift approx 0.5/sup 0//h) which is equipped with accelerometers (sensitivity 1/100/sup 0/), and a data transmission unit (with multiplexer and 16-bit AD converter). The sensitive fluxgate-magnetometer can detect weakly magnetic or small source bodies. Data from the gyro and the accelerometers allow the 3-component magnetic field values to be transformed to north, east and vertical components. Since they do not rely on magnetically-determined directional data, the results are not disturbed by local anomalies of the magnetic declination. Furthermore, the magnetometer can also be used in vertical boreholes. 3-component measurements are carried out at discrete points in the neighbourhood of a source body to locate its position, and within the source body to determine the direction of magnetization. The strength of magnetization and information on magnetic classification are obtained by continuous measurement of one or more components within the source body. Calculation algorithms and computer programs are available to simplify data processing and interpretation. Survey examples are discussed.