SOME
MINERAL DEPOSITS SURVEYED BY JOSÉ ARCE GEOFÍSICOS
S.R.L.
Cerro Verde-Santa Rosa (June-September 1971). First
time that Induced Polarization soundings were
applied in Perú, after Newmont's survey in Cuajone
(1951). The decision to apply this technique was
taken after comparison with IP profiles in the field.
Definition of mineralization limits and location of
the first two drill holes that went deep into the
Santa Rosa sulphides. Important.
Raura (September 1971). IP profiles led to the
discovery of the Catuva extension. Key solution when
Catuva was considered to be completely mined-out.
Coronguillo-El Chorro (December 1971-May/September
1996). Geophysical discovery of an anomalous area
with more than 12 km2 of area. Induced Polarization
soundings and ground magnetometer profiles were used.
Probable porphyry system.
Tintaya (December 1971-January 1972). Geophysical
discovery of the sulphide bodies "Inflexión Norte"
and "Chabuca Este". Each of them resulted in over 30
Mt of ore reserves. Important, because decisions
were taken during fieldwork to perform isolated
reconnaissance IP soundings. Very precise
computation of depth to sulphides.
Quellaveco (October 1972-March 1999). Definition of
mineralization limits in Quellaveco and Charaque,
with the aid of IP soundings. In 1999, a detailed
survey between both areas, also helped defining
areas without sulphides, to be used for mine
operation sites.
Cerro Lindo (June 1973). Preliminary geophysical
anomalies, with IP profiles.
Chalcobamba (June 1974). Detailes maps of the
deposit with IP profiles. Reconnaissance work at
Ferrobamba (extended in 1995, with IP soundings),
Charcas and Sulfobamba. Ferrobamba had a better
response than Chalcobamba and great importance was
assigned to Sulfobamba (IP soundings).
Antamina (July 1974-July 1995). IP exploration
previous to the drilling campaign of E.M.E. Antamina
SRL. In 1995, before international bidding of the
property, ground magnetometer line-survey, including
over the Antamina lake.
Antapacay (September 1974). Induced Polarization for
C.M. Atalaya. In 1999-2000 BHP Tintaya found the
porphyry-type deposit with our chargeability
anomalies. Discovery, 25 years after the survey.
Pashpap (December 1974). Successful survey of the
Huacacuy area with IP soundings where another
company had no geophysical results in 1969. Special,
for being a survey performed at two different times.
Bongará (November 1975). Electrical profiles (IP)
and electromagnetics to determine their
applicability to stratified zinc deposits with few
sulphides. High precision measurements in weak
anomalies.
El Indio-Tambo (April 1976 & March 1977). Large-scale
surveys of the area that in 1981 would become the
main gold deposit in Chile. Discrimination of
silicified masses and enargite. IP/RES/SP+EM
profiles.
Cerro Corona (September 1979). Detail self-potential,
resistivity and chargeability contour maps. Clear
definition of the deposit's limits. The SP anomaly
delineated perfectly the deposit. IP/RE/SP profiles.
Tambo Grande (October 1979). Very precise
correlation between resistivity anomaly and the
mineralized body, with IP/RE profiles. Depths to the
target computed with vertical soundings, and were
later confirmed. Very precise calculations of depth
to the mineralized body.
Pascua (Nevada, February 1980). General SP-RE-IP
survey of the gold deposit currently being mined.
Santos (Candelaria, May 1980). Successful
correlation of geophysical anomalies (IP/RE profiles)
with ore bodies in Copiapó, permitted interpreting
that these were marginal and part of a large
porphyry-type system, currently being mined. This
survey allowed the property owners to sell their ore
bodies in highly favorable terms.
Carolina (August 1982). Chargeability contour maps
led to the discovery of large sulphide bodies in
Arpón (Hualgáyoc). Important for its exploratory
consequences. IP/RE/SP profiles.
Poderosa (March 1987). After several months of
drilling and studies to try to intercept the faulted "Mercedes" vein, our geophysical survey located the
missing body with IP/RE profiles, and determined its
depth with IP soundings. Important to precisely
locate the continuation of the vein.
Atocongo (January 1989). In order to measure the
vertical reach of the puzzolan quarry, we ran IP/RE
soundings. The basement showed a chargeability
anomaly and the first drill hole confirmed a
mineralized body with high copper values. Typical
case of a mineral discovery when studying a
geological problem.
Yanacocha (April 1993). While studying physical
parameters of the Carachugo orebody prior to the
start of mine operations, we discovered an SP
anomaly of 6100mV perfectly correlating with the
location of the gold-bearing horizon, and we
interpreted under it the existence of a possible
copper porphyry orebody (chargeability soundings).
Cuajone (November 1993-January 1994). Comprehensive
survey with IP/RE sounding stations. Geophysical
anomalies confirmed with extensive drilling, which
led to great additional reserves. Excellent
correlation between geology and our geophysics.
Cerro Negro (June 1995). We surveyed this area,
located southwest of Cerro Verde. It was previously
explored in 1954 with an IP survey by the Newmont
group. We defined the chargeable minerals location,
the location of the highly resistive breccias, as
well as the fault which divides this volcanic neck
in two parts. Clear correlation with field geology.
IP/RE soundings.
Lara (February 1997). Isolated IP sounding stations
located, taking decisions as the survey progressed,
and following trends with better geophysical
responses, allowed delineation of an anomalous
target with two separate centers. The geological map
prepared a month after our survey showed a
significant correlation with the geophysics. Very
flexible field procedure, without previous
topographic surveying and no geological control.
Copper porphyry.
Los Chancas (May & November 1997). The presence of
two clear chargeability-resistivity anomalies
obtained with IP/RE soundings, along with ground
total field magnetometry, allowed SPCC to confirm
the existence of a new deposit, still under study.
The May survey was done without any topographic
control, like the Lara case; in the September
campaign, detail was improved and the survey area
was extended. Copper-Molybdenum porphyry system with
skarn-type masses.