Integrated Helicopter ZTEM-gravity-magnetic System Results over the Vredefort Dome Structure, South Africa

A groundbreaking integrated helicopter-borne geophysical survey over the UNESCO-listed Vredefort Dome in South Africa successfully demonstrated that high-quality gravity measurements can be simultaneously acquired with ZTEM (Z-Axis Tipper Electromagnetics) and magnetics, offering a deep-penetrating, multi-parameter mapping tool. The 2016 survey covered 650 km² with nine flight lines, totaling 640 km, using an on-board gravimeter and towed-bird ZTEM system with a caesium magnetometer. Results from 2D and 3D inversions correlated well with existing geophysical data and geological knowledge, validating the approach's potential for mineral exploration and structural mapping. This study marks a significant advancement in multi-parameter geophysical surveying techniques.

Legault, J. M., Izarra, C., Plastow, G., Latrous, A., & Wade, T. (2016). Integrated Helicopter ZTEM-gravity-magnetic System Results over the Vredefort Dome Structure, South Africa. Near Surface Geoscience 2016 - First Conference on Geophysics for Mineral Exploration and Mining. https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.201602100