The problem of quarrying and mining companies is that they depend heavily on winning planning permission to extend existing sites. But gaining permission to open a new quarry is not a quick, easy or inexpensive task.
The highest potential return stands in the discovery of promising early stage exploration projects.
In order to exclude the case of any undesired structures, non-destructive techniques as geophysics provide information on whole site quickly and effectively.
A preliminary geophysical investigation help quarry operators to assess overburden thickness affecting mining planning, depth of weathering above competent rock, importance of karstification, excavability,... . It is also possible to map discontinuities (faults, fractures,...) in the rock body and the extent of deposit. Geophysical techniques help to define and optimize first borehole targets.
Through geophysical results, it is possible to plan quarry layout, to check for slope stability, to have a great deal of understanding of the subsurface before excavation starts. Thus, it helps to estimate the production cost at very early stage.
