Applying electrical resistivity tomography in ornamental stone mining: challenges and solutions

Uhlemann, Sebastian; Chambers, Jonathan; Falck, W.; Tirado Alonso, Avelino; Fernández González, José; Espín de Gea, Antonio. 2018 Applying electrical resistivity tomography in ornamental stone mining: challenges and solutions. Minerals, 8 (11), 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110491

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/min8110491

Abstract/Summary

In this study, the use of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to guide ornamental stone extraction is investigated. ERT is not conventionally used in highly resistive environments, such as on rock faces, due to the high contact resistances that can impede current injection. Here, the challenges of conducting ERT in such environments are discussed and possible solutions suggested. For this, an example of the application of ERT in a deep and narrow marble quarry is used. The marble deposit is affected by fracturing and karstification. Due to the nature of these features, they present a significant resistivity contrast to the background resistivity of the marble and thus excellent targets to test the application of ERT. Their location was mapped using field observations and complementary ground penetrating radar data. By using an appropriate sensor deployment, a suitable resistivity meter, and advanced data processing routines, the derived 3D resistivity model is in good agreement with the independent observations. This shows that despite the challenges, ERT can be used as a non-invasive tool to obtain information on the stone properties prior to extraction. This will help in guiding quarry operations and will allow for a targeted, safe, and efficient extraction of high quality stone, thereby increasing sustainability and economical competitiveness.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110491
ISSN:	2075-163X
Date made live:	10 Jan 2019 16:00 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/522017

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110491

ISSN:

2075-163X

Date made live:

10 Jan 2019 16:00 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/522017