Multimodal Airborne Quantum Sensor InstruMent for sustAinable expLoration

Publicações

Preliminary Integrated Analysis of Magnetic Susceptibility, Geochemistry, and Mineralogy in the Neves Corvo VMS District (MAQSIMAL Project)

Publication . Represas, Patricia; Batista, Maria Joao; Albardeiro, Luís; Marques, Fábio; Silva, Teresa; Carvalho, João; Xavier Matos, João Manuel

ABSTRACT: The MAQSIMAL project develops a multimodal airborne quantum-sensor prototype that simultaneously measures the 3D magnetic field, magnetic-field gradients and electromagnetic responses to improve sustainable mineral exploration. The Neves–Corvo mining district (Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal), a largely concealed volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system, was selected as a test site to compare prototype data with existing geological and drilling information. This extended abstract reports initial surface-sample characterisation integrating magnetic susceptibility (KT-10; ∼150 outcrops), XRD mineralogy and portable XRF geochemistry (20 samples). Susceptibility values are strongly right-skewed (0–5.81×10−3 SI) and vary systematically with lithology: mafic volcanic rocks show the highest and most variable responses, whereas felsic volcanic, sedimentary and strongly sericitic/argillic rocks are consistently magnetically weak, consistent with magnetite destruction and/or dilution during alteration. XRD identifies alteration minerals (chlorite, sericite, kaolinite) and pXRF data differentiate mafic versus metasedimentary compositions and show a moderate sample-scale correlation between susceptibility and total Fe (r≈0.49). The combined datasets provide an internally consistent basis for early sensor calibration and motivate expanded paired sampling and spatial mapping to better link surface signatures with subsurface VMS-related lithologies and alteration.

2026-09-20Documento de conferência

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Palavras-chave

multimodal quantic sensor,magnetic method,electromagnetic,polymetallic sulphides exploration, Natural sciences

Entidade financiadora

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P.

Programa de financiamento

ERA-MIN3 Concurso Transnacional Conjunto 2023

Número da atribuição

ERA-MIN3/0001/2023