This presentation describes MobileMTd, a drone-borne implementation of MobileMT passive natural-field electromagnetic technology for subsurface conductivity imaging, and shows how UAV deployment improves both data quality and exploration capability compared with heliborne acquisition. By flying at much lower speeds, the drone system reduces motion-induced noise, increases along-line sampling density, and extends the usable low-frequency range, allowing extraction of data down to 17 Hz compared with 27 Hz for the helicopter system. Forward modelling indicates that these lower frequencies can be critical for detecting buried conductors beneath conductive overburden, while field tests over the Forrestania IR2 conductor in Western Australia show that MobileMTd can resolve discrete conductive targets and recover their full depth extent more effectively than airborne time-domain EM systems, which in this case respond mainly to the top of the conductor. Overall, the presentation demonstrates that drone-borne natural-field EM is an effective and flexible tool for mineral exploration, combining deeper investigation, higher spatial resolution, safer and more adaptable operations, and strong potential for efficient large-area deployment.
If you’d like to set up an individual or group online presentation, send a message and we’ll coordinate a time (info@expertgeophysics.com)
