Inversion for 3D Conductivity and Chargeability Models Using EM Data Acquired by the New Airborne TargetEM System in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

This paper introduces an original approach to the joint inversion of airborne electromagnetic (EM) data for three-dimensional (3D) conductivity and chargeability models using hybrid finite difference (FD) and integral equation (IE) methods. The inversion produces a 3D model of physical parameters, which includes conductivity, chargeability, time constant, and relaxation coefficients. We present the underlying principles of this approach and an example of a high-resolution inversion of the data acquired by a new active time domain airborne EM system, TargetEM, in Ontario, Canada. The new TargetEM system collects high-quality multicomponent data with low noise, high power, and a small transmitter–receiver offset. This airborne system and the developed advanced inversion methodology represent a new effective method for mineral resource exploration.

Keywords

• airborne EM
• mineral exploration
• three-dimensional
• finite difference
• integral equation
• induced polarization