PRESENTATION:

In 1960, the need for fresh water prompted Marcona Mining Company to conduct groundwater exploration in the Nasca-Lomas area. S. Parker Gay, Geophysicist, employed the Electrical Resistivity method with instruments designed and built by him and discovered the aquifer that continues to supply the entire mining operation up to this day. That was the start of independent geophysical activity in Perú. The office for geophysical surveys continued until 1964 with José E. Arce as Associate Geophysicist. From that year on José E. Arce has managed José Arce – Exploration Geophysicists.

Infrastructure. From 1960 to 1967, geophysical investigations were mainly for groundwater with self-designed and built Resistivity instruments. Some mining exploration was performed with electromagnetic and simple galvanic techniques. In 1967, we introduced in Perú the use of Seismic methods in geotechnical applications: glacier thicknesses in the Cordillera Blanca. In 1968, we acquired Electromagnetic (H-V Loop) and well-logging (SP-R-Gamma) instruments. In 1970, our first Induced Polarization instruments were imported to Perú. In 1973, fixed-source and multi-frequency EM instruments. In 1977, multiple-channel digital seismographs for geotechnical studies. In 1978, total field proton-precession magnetometers. In 1980, the first personal computer and the start of software development for IP curve and theoretical model computations. In recent years, we have significantly increased our field operation capacity, as well as improved data processing productivity with advanced graphical methods. In addition we developed an independent electronics company in charge of all of our instrument service, design and modification needs, as well as external specialized services. In 1994, we put into service a well-logging instrument designed and built by us, microprocessor-controlled CPU, digital with three channels, analog formatting, and our own software for wells down to 300 meters. In 1996, a 24 channel digital seismograph for Reflection and Refraction Seismics. In 1997, a well-logger for up to 500-meter vertical reach, motorized, with nine curves: electrical, gamma, fluid properties. Since April 2002, associated to Zonge Engineering & Research Organization (Tucson, AZ) for magnetotelluric, pulse electromagnetic and complex resistivity surveys (MT, TEM, CSAMR, CR, etc.). From 2002 and 2004, two complete IP/Resistivity receivers IRIS ELREC PRO with transmitters VIP3000 & VIP4000, of rmulti-channel surveys. In 2005, cesium vapor magnetometer SCINTREX NAVMAG SM-5, with 0.01nT sensitivity. In 2005, S-wave velocity measurements with the MASW surface wave technique. In 2006, TDS Ranger+OMNISTAR GPS system with <1m resolution in X-Y-Z, a GEOMETRICS STRATAVISOR NZXP 24-channel digital seismograph and a Scintrex magnetic gradiometer. In 2007 we received our Scintrex CG5 gravimeter with 1 microGal resolution, as well as a new IRIS ELREC PRO IP receiver and an IRIS VIP 4000 transmitter . In 2008 we received one IRIS ELRECO PRO receiver and two IRIS VIP 4000 transmitters, one for backup, as well as new down-hole tools: one caliper, one EM induction probe, one accoustic televiewer and one optical televiewer.

Experience. More than 313 mineral deposits surveyed, 103 of the porphyry type and 142 skarn-type in Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panamá & El Salvador. More than 103 aquifers in Perú, Chile, Ecuador & El Salvador. Over 167 geotechnical and 2 archaeological surveys in Perú, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Panamá, Nicaragua & El Salvador.

Geophysical Methods. Gravity, Magnetics, Induced Polarization, Electrical Resistivity, Electromagnetics (moving and fixed source), Refraction Seismics, Vertical Seismic Profiles (elastic modulii and resonance VSP), Seismic Tomography, MASW, Well-logs. Our company owns instruments for all these methods. Complete Zonge high-power instrumentation for MT, CSAMT, TEM and complex resistivity.