The proceedings from the “Airborne Gravity 2010″ workshop at the recent 2010 ASEG-PESA 21st International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition are available for download from the Geoscience Australia website: https://www.ga.gov.au/products/servlet/controller?event=GEOCAT_DETAILS&catno=70673

The Airborne Gravity 2010 workshop was held in Sydney on August 22.
The objective of this workshop was to provide a review of the advances in airborne gravity since the Airborne Gravity 2004 Workshop, also held in Sydney (see GA Record 2004/18).

The Airborne Gravity 2010 workshop presentations followed four themes:
1) Current operating airborne gravity and gravity gradiometry systems
2) Developing airborne gravity and gravity gradiometry systems
3) Advances in processing and interpretation software
4) Review of complementary technologies

Goldbrook Ventures Inc.,   announces the commencement of a winter geophysics program at its McCart Lake camp in the western portion of the Raglan belt, Ungava, Quebec in order to carry out a planned winter geophysical program.  Contractors, equipment and support personnel arrived at the McCart Lake camp site in early April, using ski-equipped aircraft, to carry out a program starting April 18^th, of ground magnetic and EM surveying in preparation for an aggressive exploration and drilling program during the summer season.

About 1600 line-kilometres of continuous recording high resolution magnetometer surveys over various areas of interest are being completed by Clearview Geophysics Inc. These high resolution magnetometer surveys are conducted in “walking mode” in conjunction with GPS guided snowmobile towed mode. The magnetometer data provide the mapping information for the detection and delineation of ultramafic bodies which host Raglan-style mineralization.

Two crews, from Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd, are conducting up to 70 line-kilometres of moving loop electromagnetic surveys using a combination of SQUID and fluxgate sensors. These sensors are state-of-the-art instruments specifically designed to detect and discriminate the highly conductive nickel sulphides of the Raglan deposits.  The moving loop model of surveying is labour intensive, but provides the highest resolution.

The 2010 exploration program, with a budget of over $17,500,000, includes a goal of 25,000 metres of diamond drilling in conjunction with an extensive program of prospecting, geochemical surveys, geological mapping and ground geophysics over both the east and west extensions of the productive north and south Raglan horizons. This is an aggressive expansion from the previous, and successful, exploration focus on the Belanger Trend into new, and high potential geological target areas. This program will follow-up on the positive results of geological, geophysical and remote sensing surveys completed in these areas over the last two years and which helped with discoveries of extensive nickel sulphides at the Mystery and Timtu zones.  The work is expected to be successful in defining new sulphide nickel occurrences within the Company’s extensive Raglan Nickel Belt property holdings.

The large Goldbrook property is located in Nunavik, northern Quebec, Canada.

The 2008 exploration program consisted of 12,000 metres of BQ size core drilling, a remote sensing program that covered large parts of the Goldbrook property, a regional geology and sampling program, interpretation of VTEM geophysical data collected in 2007, and reclamation of two camp sites previously used for exploration in parts of the Goldbrook property.

There are numerous other areas of interest / showings that warrant analysis and search for specific drill targets. Some of these areas are also candidates for further geophysical surveys or tests with methods such as gravity, walking magnetics, ZTEM, and SQUID-sensor ground EM, and possibly for more detailed VTEM analysis. In addition, analysis of regional geochemical data (rock, soil and till) may provide insights or support other evidence for drilling.

May 19 – Denver, CO.

Special Educational Event – produced by the Denver Geophysical Society

2nd Annual Innovative Geoscience Technology Conference

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, Denver Downtown
1400 Welton Street Denver 80202

REGISTER AT: www.denvergeo.org
Denver Geophysical Society

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Daniel M. Jarvie Worldwide Geochemistry
title: Geochemical Assessment of Rocky Mountain Shale Resource Plays and Prospects

FEATURED KICKOFF SPEAKER : Dan Likarish Regis University
title: The Use of Virtual Social Networks to Investigate the Influence of Deep Crustal Processes on the Occurrence of Faults and Fractures

Innovative Geoscience Technology Presentations

The Basement-Petroleum Connection: New Insights - M. Swan, MagnaChem Exploration, Inc.

3D Anisotropic CSEM Inversion
- C. Jing, Exxon-Mobil, Inc.

Evidence of Hydrocarbon Seepage Using Multispectral Satellite Imageryin Iraq
- S. Perry, Perry Remote Sensing, LLC

Integrated MT/Gravity Geothermal Exploration in Hungary: A Success Story
- G. Yu, KMS Technologies, LLC

New Aeromagnetic Compilation of Artic, Russia and Europe and its Inversion to Depth of Basement and Structure
- D. Fairhead, GETECH

Hydrocarbon Mapping in Mozambique with Airborne Geophysics
- J. Rudd, Aeroquest Surveys

CO2 Geologic Sequestration Begins and Ends with Geoscience Technology
- W. Row, Schlumberger Carbon Services

Shale Core Analysis Required for Gas Reserve Estimates
- C. Hartman, Weatherford Labs

Locating Abandoned Coal Mines to Assess Risk Using Self-Potential and DC Resistivity, Weld County CO
- K. Bohlen, Colorado School of Mines/ Encana

Pitney Bowes Business Insight (Natural Resources) announces the release of Encom ModelVision 10.0, which is an advancement to the already versatile package of previous versions. In this release Encom ModelVision focuses on making it easier to work with cross-sections and 2D map views while modelling or preparing map layouts. Some new utilities also provide an easier method for data correction and examining the inversion process.

Features:

bridge the gap between automated depth methods and interactive modelling;

parametric shapes and manually drawn models;

1D, 2D, 3D visualisation of data and models;

edit models in map and section views;

2D interactive regional with 1D option;

forward and inverse modelling of bodies and any data channel;

1D, 2D convolution and FFT filter suite;

line and grid calculator;

drillhole and full airborne survey simulators.

Darnley Bay Resources releases preliminary results from the recently completed Geotech VTEM and Sander AirGRAV surveys over a large portion of its properties near Paulatuk, NT. Darnley, with the assistance of Paterson, Grant & Watson Limited, consulting geophysicists of Toronto, Canada, has prepared a series of images and commentary from the field data, which will be downloaded from the Company’s website under the “Current Activities” heading on the home page (www.darnleybay.com) by the end of April. We stress that this material was prepared from the field data. The final data will have several standard processes applied by the contractors to make corrections, improve data resolution and remove topographic effects, level errors and noise. From these final data, 2D and 3D models will be prepared, and drill targets located and prioritized.

About the exploration of Paulatuk gravity anomaly:  http://explorationgeophysics.info/?s=darnley

Salares Lithium Inc. reports the results of the first phase of a transient electromagnetic survey (“TEM”) completed on the northern portion of the Salar de la Isla. This salar is part of the Company’s Salares 7 project in Region III, Chile. The TEM survey was carried out by Geodatos SAIC (“Geodatos”) of Santiago, Chile, and was designed to define the size and extent of the brine pool within the salar. The majority of the world’s lithium production comes from salars, or salt lakes, where prospective lithium mineralization is generally hosted in brine horizons.
Salar de la Isla, which encompasses a total of 16,500 hectares, is approximately 15 kilometres (“km”) long and 6 km wide on average. The northern area surveyed and studied comprises approximately 10,750 hectares, which is approximately 65% of the areal extent of the salar. Using the results obtained from the 38.5 line km survey, Geodatos has constructed a three dimensional model of the distribution of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. Using a resistivity cut-off of 1 ohm/metre (interpreted by Geodatos as definite brine), Geodatos has calculated the brine bearing horizon within the northern portion of the salar to have a volume of 2.459 billion kilolitres (kilolitres are equivalent to cubic metres). Using a resistivity cut-off of 2 ohm/metres (interpreted by Geodatos as possible brines) the calculated volume of this horizon increases to 5.393 billion kilolitres.

A gravity survey is being initiated on Salar de la Isla as the TEM survey was unable to penetrate to the base of the salar which indicates that the salar has a depth in excess of 200 metres. There is potential for additional brine bearing horizons beyond where the TEM was able to penetrate to.

“We are excited about the volume calculation identified by Geodatos and the fact that it only accounts for the northern portion of one of the Company’s seven salars. The experience Geodatos represents regarding the TEM survey and the relationship of the correlation of 1 ohm/metre as definite brine with potential of brine up to 2 ohm/metre, is encouraging. The Company will now be required to drill/sample the extensive interpreted brine horizons before a porosity value and a resource calculation can be established”, commented Todd Hilditch, CEO of the Company.

The Company intends to complete an additional 13 kms of TEM survey lines on the southern portion of the salar to enable the entire salar to be modelled in a similar fashion. Further, some of the existing lines will be extended to completely investigate the lateral extent of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. In order to fast track the exploration program on the remaining six salars, the Company has instructed Geodatos to double the size of the geophysical crew.

The TEM survey lines for Las Parinas were extended beyond the boundaries of the salar on to areas covered by alluvial and / or volcanic material. The survey identified a continuous brine bearing horizon that extended up to 2.5 kms from the salar edge and underneath the adjacent rocks. The three survey lines averaged approximately 9 kms long each.

Using the results obtained from the 26.5 line km survey, Geodatos has constructed a three dimensional model of the distribution of the interpreted brine bearing horizon. This horizon extends from surface to a depth of 170 metres.

Using a resistivity cut-off of 1 ohm/metre (interpreted by Geodatos as probable brine), Geodatos has calculated the brine bearing horizon within the surveyed portion of the las Parinas to have a volume of 1.177 billion cubic metres. Using a resistivity cut-off of 2 ohm/metres (interpreted by Geodatos as possible brines) the calculated volume of this horizon increases to 4.009 billion cubic metres.

Management is very encouraged by these initial geophysical results and intends to commence the brine sampling program as soon as the relevant equipment can be secured and moved on-site. Results from additional TEM and gravity surveys will be released as interpreted and received from Geodatos.

MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. announces that it has contracted Abitibi Géophysique Inc. to conduct a gravity survey on land-based targets on the Hornby mineral claims, jointly owned by Temex Resources and MacDonald Mines, and on the Company’s 100% owned BigMac Property.

These claims are interpreted to host the potential for a chromite horizon(s). The Hornby Property is immediately south of KWG/Spider’s “Big Daddy” chromite discovery.   Based on the airborne data, Dr. Larry Hulbert, P. Geo, along with Hadyn Butler, P. Geo, have interpreted a number of potential chromite horizons on the BigMac property.  The gravity sections will cross these horizons at five locations varying from 2 to 10 kilometres apart.

The gravity survey will help define drill-ready targets along the interpreted horizons. The gravity survey is expected to be completed by mid-March, 2010.  The gravity technique has proven capable of defining chromite intercepts in the Ring of Fire and have been successfully utilized by both Freewest (Cliffs) and Spider/KWG in their discoveries.

MacDonald will also refocus exploration attention on its McNuggett Property.  Previous drilling results have been the catalyst for the complete re-interpretation of all exploration activity.  Quentin Yarie, P. Geo., MacDonald Mines’ new Vice President of Exploration heads this new initiative and he is being assisted by both consulting geologists Hadyn Bulter, P. Geo, and Dr. Larry Hulbert, P.Geo.  This analysis has outlined previous drill hole areas where the drilling did not fully explain the anomalous electromagnetic conductors.  The revised interpretation has outlined targets that will be drilled in the upcoming exploration program, which is planned to commence in March, 2010.

Abitibi Geophysics is using SCINTREX CG5 AutoGrav for a gravity survey.

Source: McDonald Mines Exploration Press Release, March 3, 2010

Darnley Bay Resources has outlined its 2010 exploration plans for its properties in the Paulatuk NT area. It has completed permitting for airborne surveys to take place in March-April 2010.

outline its 2010 exploration plans for its properties in the Paulatuk NT area. It has completed permitting for airborne surveys to take place in March-April 2010.

Paulatuk gravity anomaly: The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) conducted a regional gravity survey in 1969 as part of its national gravity coverage providing readings at 2.5 km (1.55 miles) to 20 km (12.4 miles) intervals over and surrounding the area of Paulatuk; it discovered the gravity anomaly. In 1970 the Dominion Observatory published the Inuvik-Horton River map sheet. Northgate Exploration Limited flew a helicopter-borne magnetic survey over the most intensive part of the gravity anomaly and detected a coincident magnetic anomaly. A number of seismic profiles were surveyed in the early 1970’s on the western portion of the AMI, most of these are located on the western sedimentary platform. They identified a deep 6-800 metres trough (NW) along the west margin of the dyke swarm, the significance of which is still unknown. The GSC undertook an aeromagnetic survey over the positive gravity anomaly. The survey was flown along north-south oriented flight lines spaced 2 km apart, at a constant height of 610 metres (2,000 feet) above sea level. It defined the positive magnetic anomaly (detected by Northgate in 1970) at 1200 nT amplitude, coincident with the gravity anomaly. The GSC collected samples from a number of basic sills east of the anomaly that contained minor amounts of nickel, copper, platinum, gold, silver and cobalt. These rocks and metallics may be genetically associated with the anomaly. The GSC suggests that the cause of the anomaly (130mGal) may be an igneous intrusive similar to that in the Sudbury Basin, Ontario (30 mGals), Norilsk in Russia (25 mGals), and the Bushveld Complex in South Africa (65 mGals). Ref: GSC Open File Report 2789. The DBR 1997 aeromagnetic survey indicated that the main intrusive has 4 upward extending feeder pipes. The feeder pipes give way to 9 laterally trending shallow magnetic zones, which are referred to as “offshoots” being drill targets for mineral deposits. The aeromagnetic survey in the central portion of the Anomaly, revealed a number of kimberlite targets. These targets could have conveyed diamonds and also fragments of sulphide mineralization to the surface revealing the composition of the Anomaly and the possible presence of Ni, Cu, PGE. DBR carried out ground geophysical surveys on the Thrasher Zone, which revealed 5 electromagnetic conductors within 250 metres of the surface that have coincident gravity and magnetic responses, 3 of the conductors are horizontal and 2 are vertical. The 2 vertical conductors are along fault structures that represent conductive shear zones and possible associated mineralization. They have strike lengths of 1,500 metres, widths of 450-800 metres and are centered 250 metres below surface. (Source http://www.darnleybay.com)