The use of acoustic log data in structural interpretation at the Turquoise Ridge Deposit, Getchell Mine, north-central Nevada

Acoustic logging provides the exact depth and true orientation of structures measured from the inside of a borehole wall. These structures can collectively be used for detailed structural analysis of a rock mass in both geologic and engineering capacities. Ten acoustic logs from the Turquoise Ridge deposit were analyzed. Defining methods by which to gain meaningful information from the voluminous information contained in acoustic logs and helping refine the Turquoise Ridge structural model were the main purposes of this study. Five methods of acoustic log data analysis were devised. These methods ranged from bulk analysis which shows regional structural trends to detailed ore zone analysis which proves useful in ore modeling. Qualitative studies of the acoustic data reveal trends in fracture density distribution. Although limitations on the accuracy of acoustic probe data in certain types of alteration were discovered, acoustic data has proven useful in many applications.