Magnetometry, induced polarisation and direct current resistivity data integration to investigate sulphide mineralisation in the Sar Balla village in Iran

Vagueness and non-uniqueness of geophysical data inversion can be reduced through the integration of different geophysical methods. Joint interpretation is one of the most common ways to combine datasets of two or more geophysical methods. In this paper, magnetometry inversion, induced polarisation (IP), and direct current (DC) resistivity data are utilised as a joint interpretation for the investigation of sulphide mineralisation in the Sar Balla village, near Eshghabad city, in Iran. Six profiles with a 100-metre separation are used to collect data. The IP and DC resistivity data are measured using pole-dipole configuration with unit electrode spacings of 20 and 40 m. The damped weighted minimum length solution algorithm is used for inverting both magnetic and DC resistivity data, whereas smoothness constrained inversion is implemented for IP data. Primary investigation using inversion of magnetic data is illustrative of a huge anomaly extending to the north of the profile with a depth range from 100 to 800 m. IP and DC resistivity data enable a more detailed examination of the subsurface down to 300 m, where inverse sections indicate a considerable amount of sulphide mineral deposits with high chargeability and low resistivity. According to these results, 29 regions have high potential for sulphide mineralisation, among which seven anomalies appear to continue to greater depths and can be suggested for deep drilling.