An overview of magnetic method in mineral exploration

Abstract

In modern times, the economic strength of a nation, the standard of living and independence of her citizens depend on the nation's industrial strength and her economic buoyancy. These two parameters, that is, the nation's industrial strength and the buoyancy of the industries in each country, sometimes form the bases for classifying the countries as "developed" (e.g., America and Japan) or "developing" (e.g., Nigeria and Ghana) with every nation striving to achieve the former status. The availability of the raw materials needed by most industries is one of the primary factors for the establishment of the industries. The raw material needs of most industries occur sporadically in one form or the other inside the earth's crust and the search for them as been one of man's major concerns. This paper gives the literature report about the use of magnetic method in mineral exploration. Magnetic exploration also referred to as “potential field” exploration is used to give geoscientist an indirect way to “see” beneath the Earth’s surface by sensing physical properties of rocks (magnetization). Magnetic method exploration can help locate minerals. Potential field survey is relatively inexpensive and can quickly cover large areas of ground. The method is relatively cheap, non-invasive and non-destructive environmentally speaking.