Geophysics call for papers:
Seismic methods in mineral exploration and mine planning
SEG invites papers on the topic of "Seismic methods in mineral exploration and mine planning" for September-October 2012 publication in a special section or supplement of Geophysics.
Great interest and a new trend in exploration and exploitation of mineral resources at great depth are under way. Consequently, we are experiencing a large increase in the use of seismic methods for targeting deep-seated mineral deposits and for deep mine planning. Seismic methods provide high-resolution images of geologic structures hosting mineral deposits and, in a few cases, can be used for direct targeting of mineral deposits at depths greater than 1 km. This is not limited to only surface seismic surveys, but also to borehole seismic methods such as VSP and crosshole imaging. To date, tens of 2D and 3D surface seismic surveys have been acquired in Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa to help in targeting mineral deposits at depth or for designing deep mines. Based on these activities, it appears that seismic methods are becoming established within the mining sector. This brings new opportunities for geophysicists, but also new challenges.
The goal of this special Geophysics issue is to highlight recent advancements in data acquisition, processing, and imaging of mineral deposits and their host rock structures.
The recent increase in the use of seismic methods in both industry and academia foreshadows developments and applications in the crystalline environment that are certain to be forthcoming. The organizers of the special issue encourage contributors to bring forward and discuss new advances in data acquisition, processing, imaging, and forward modeling of seismic data applied to mineral exploration and mine planning. Furthermore, contributions from multicomponent sources and receivers, petrophysical studies, and integration of seismic data with other multidisciplinary geophysical and geologic data are encouraged. Unsuccessful case studies, especially 3D cases, demonstrating "what went wrong" also are welcome.
Interested authors should submit their manuscripts for review no later than 30 November 2011. In addition, the special section/supplement editors would like to receive a provisional title and list of authors as soon as possible. Authors should submit via the normal online submission system for Geophysics and indicate that it is a contribution for this special section or issue. The submitted papers will be subject to the regular peer-review process, and the contributing authors also are expected to participate in the review process as reviewers.
We will work according to the following timeline:
| Submission deadline: | 30 November 2011 |
| Peer review complete: | 18 May 2012 |
| All files submitted for production: | 1 June 2012 |
| Publication of issue: | September-October 2012 |
Given the tight timeline for publication of this issue, Geophysics is going to strictly enforce author submission guidelines, covered in Instructions to Authors published in the January-February 2011 issue and on the SEG web site. Please note that normal Geophysics page and color charges apply.
For specific questions, please contact the special section/supplement editors:
Alireza Malehmir
Milovan Urosevic
Gilles Bellefleur
Christopher Juhlin
Bernd Milkereit
Colin Farquharson
