Using airborne geophysics for mineral exploration in UAE — A case study

The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) has been conducting geological and geophysical surveys for mineral exploration since 1975, in addition to other surveys that have been conducted by local universities and international oil companies since 1960. The targets of these surveys are understanding the origin and evolution of the ophiolite rock formation in particular and the UAE geological evolution in general. Consequently, using the surveys' results, the MoEI produced geological maps covering the entire UAE at various scales. More than 30,000 locations have been visited, resulting in collecting and analyzing of 4,500 samples. The Ministry also conducted 256 linear kilometer deep seismic survey through the ophiolite, mapping the lithology, stratigraphy, structure, and regional stress changes beneath the Semaili-ophiolite formation in the UAE mountains. During 2002 to 2012, airborne geophysical surveys were acquired, covering 85,000 square kilometers for the entire UAE, Figure1. The collected data was then subjected to advanced interpretation, processing and integration to illuminate the subsurface, particularly the possible occurrence of hydrocarbons and minerals.