Metal mineral exploration method and system based on hydrogen
By detecting hydrogen concentration in surface soil, the problem of false alarms in hydrogen sensor readings in PMGRA technology has been solved, enabling low-cost, rapid, and low-disturbance metal mineral exploration, and improving the accuracy and efficiency of exploration.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511812059.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing PMGRA technology has several problems in metal mineral exploration, including illogical coupling of H2S and SO2 sensor readings, unclear relationship between readings and ore bodies, and uncertain location of high-value areas. Furthermore, H2S and SO2 sensors may be interfered with by other gases, leading to false alarms and affecting exploration results.
A hydrogen-based exploration method was adopted, which involves drilling holes in the surface soil of selected areas to detect hydrogen concentration, using gas concentration sensors and vacuum pumps to extract and detect hydrogen, and combining preset concentration thresholds and pressure difference tests to analyze mineral exploration potential. Portable gas concentration sensors and barometers were used for exploration.
It enables low-cost, rapid, and environmentally undisturbed metal mineral exploration, effectively evaluates mineral exploration potential, identifies favorable target areas, is suitable for initial mineral exploration work, and avoids sensor blockage by dust or liquid, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of exploration.
Smart Images
Figure CN121541289A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of mineral exploration technology, and in particular to a method and system for finding underground metal mineral deposits using surface gases. Background Technology
[0002] Deep mineral resource exploration is an important research direction in the field of mineral resources. Unlike traditional shallow-covered area mineral exploration, deep-covered area mineral exploration is extremely difficult, and traditional geophysical and remote sensing exploration methods have limited effectiveness in deep-covered areas. Currently, several expert teams both domestically and internationally have proposed various new methods for deep-covered areas.
[0003] Numerous studies have established a correlation between the concentration of certain gases in the soil and bedrock of exploration areas and deep metallic ore bodies. International scholars have summarized gaseous indicators related to mineralization, including CO2, O2, H2S, SO2, CH4, Hg, Rn, and He (Lovell, 1979; Oakes and Hale, 1987; Dyck and Jonasson, 2000; Hale, 2010). my country has also conducted research on gas-based mineral exploration methods since the 1970s, primarily focusing on gases such as CO2, H2S, SO2, and CH4 (Yin Ying and Xu Waisheng, 1991; You Yunfei, 1991; Wu Zonghua et al., 1995, 1996; Li Shengyu and Xu Fengfu, 1997; Yin Bingchuan, 1997). In recent years, the Multi-Component Gas Analysis (PMGRA) technology, supervised by the Development and Research Center of the China Geological Survey, has been used multiple times in gas geochemical measurements in mining areas to guide mineral exploration. It uses H2S, SO2, CH4 and CO2 as the main gas indicators and industrial gas detectors equipped with micro gas sensors based on electrochemical principles as the main tools. It is one of the more practical technologies among gas-based mineral exploration methods at present.
[0004] The applicant team has practiced the aforementioned PMGRA technology in multiple known and unknown metal mining areas, including numerous metal deposits / mining areas with different natural landscapes and genetic types. Their findings revealed a strong correlation between high H2S and SO2 sensor values and metal ore bodies in most cases; specifically, significant high H2S and SO2 sensor values are typically found near and above metal ore bodies, confirming the effectiveness of the PMGRA technology from a practical standpoint. However, the applicant team also discovered several problems with this technology: (1) In most cases, the CO2 and CH4 sensor values were not significantly correlated with the ore body.
[0005] (2) The values of the H2S sensor and the SO2 sensor are significantly coupled, that is, the high value area of the H2S sensor is usually also the high value area of the SO2 sensor.
[0006] (3) When the high values of H2S and SO2 sensors appear near the ore body, the high value area is sometimes located directly above the ore body and sometimes located obliquely above the ore body. The correspondence is not clear. At the same time, the high value has no significant positional relationship with the fault structure.
[0007] These issues have led some geological engineers and scholars to question the effectiveness of PMGRA technology, thus limiting its application and development in metallic mineral deposits. Among these problems, the most critical is: (1) H2S is a product of sulfides in a reducing environment, while SO2 is a product of an oxidizing environment. Under natural conditions, it is difficult for the two to coexist for a long time. The phenomenon of high coupling between H2S and SO2 values in PMGRA is not in line with common sense.
[0008] (2) Under normal circumstances, people can smell the rotten egg smell of H2S above 0.005 ppm and the pungent smell of SO2 above 0.3 ppmv. In many mining areas, the H2S and SO2 readings of PMGRA exceeded 1 ppmv, but the on-site staff did not smell any significant special odors.
[0009] These two issues suggest that the H2S and SO2 detected by PMGRA may be false alarms, as there are no significant anomalies of H2S or SO2 gas in the mining area soil. Given the extremely poor specificity of electrochemical sensors, these two sensors are most likely experiencing high readings due to interference from other gases, and these interfering gases are related to the mineral deposits. Summary of the Invention
[0010] The main objective of this invention is to provide a gas geochemical exploration method and system for locating underground hidden metal mineral deposits using hydrogen gas in surface soil.
[0011] The technical solution adopted in this invention is: A hydrogen-based method for metal mineral exploration is provided, comprising the following steps: Within the selected mineral exploration area, according to the pre-designed sampling route and sampling points, during sampling, a hole of a certain depth is drilled in the surface soil at each sampling point, and a gas concentration sensor is used to extract and detect the hydrogen concentration in the hole. During the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration is taken as the hydrogen concentration value at that sampling point. The mineral exploration potential of a region is analyzed based on the location and hydrogen concentration values of multiple sampling points. If the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than the first preset concentration, and there are multiple sampling points around that sampling point with concentration values greater than the second preset concentration, then the mineral exploration potential of the region near that sampling point is high. If the hydrogen concentration values of all sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and more than half of the sampling points have hydrogen concentration values lower than the third preset concentration value, then the mineral exploration potential of the region is low.
[0012] Following the above technical solution, during the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the detection is terminated early when the hydrogen concentration reading remains relatively stable for a certain period of time.
[0013] Following the above technical solution, during the detection process, the working pressure difference of the gas concentration sensor in the working area is tested and recorded. This working pressure difference is the pressure difference between the gas pressure inside the hole and the external ambient gas pressure. If it is within the preset range, the detection continues; otherwise, the detection stops.
[0014] Following the above technical solution, when the hydrogen concentration value of a single sampling point is greater than the second preset concentration, additional sampling points are added on both sides of the sampling point until the distance between the two points is less than or equal to the preset distance, or the difference in hydrogen concentration values between two adjacent sampling points is less than the preset value.
[0015] Following the above technical solution, the preset spacing is 5 meters.
[0016] Following the above technical solution, when the designed sampling point cannot be reached due to surface reasons, sampling will be carried out at the nearest accessible point to the designed point.
[0017] According to the above technical solution, the altitude of the selected mineral exploration area is not greater than the preset altitude, and the soil cover thickness is not less than the preset thickness.
[0018] Based on the above technical solution, the preset altitude is 7000 meters and the preset thickness is 1 meter.
[0019] Following the above technical solution, sampling points are designed at certain intervals along the sampling route, with the distance between sampling points not exceeding 20 meters and the distance between sampling points not exceeding 100 meters.
[0020] This invention also provides a hydrogen-based metal mineral exploration system, comprising: A gas concentration sensor is used to extract and detect the hydrogen concentration in a hole of a certain depth drilled in the surface soil at each sampling point within a selected mineral exploration area, according to a pre-designed sampling route and sampling points. A vacuum pump is used to extract gas from the hole through a pipeline to the gas concentration sensor and then discharge it to the atmosphere. The barometer, placed in front of the vacuum pump, is used to measure the gas pressure inside the hole. When the gas inside the hole is drawn out by the vacuum pump, it first flows through the barometer, then through the vacuum pump, and finally through the gas concentration sensor. The recorder is used to record the hydrogen concentration in the hole detected by the gas concentration sensor, and to take the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration in each hole as the hydrogen concentration value at that sampling point during the hydrogen concentration detection period. The analyzer is used to analyze the mineral exploration potential of a corresponding area based on the location and hydrogen concentration value of multiple sampling points. If the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than the first preset concentration, and there are multiple sampling points around the sampling point with concentration values greater than the second preset concentration, then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the sampling point is high. If the hydrogen concentration values of all sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and more than half of the sampling points have hydrogen concentration values lower than the third preset concentration value, then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the corresponding area is low.
[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a method for metal mineral exploration based on hydrogen concentration in soil. This method detects the hydrogen concentration in the boreholes at sampling points along a sampling route and analyzes the location and hydrogen concentration values of multiple sampling points to determine the mineral potential of the corresponding areas. The method is low-cost, simple, and fast, making it suitable for quickly evaluating the mineral potential of a work area in the early stages of mineral exploration and roughly determining favorable target areas for further exploration. Furthermore, this method involves minimal fieldwork and causes minimal environmental disturbance, making it a green exploration technology.
[0022] Furthermore, by testing and recording the normal operating pressure difference of the gas concentration sensor in the working area, it can be determined whether the gas delivery pipe of the gas concentration sensor is blocked by dust or liquid.
[0023] Of course, any product implementing this invention does not necessarily need to achieve all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description
[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.
[0025] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a hydrogen-based metal mineral exploration method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This invention relates to an embodiment of the plotting of hydrogen concentration plane-section using sampling data. Figure 1 ; Figure 3This invention relates to an embodiment of the plotting of hydrogen concentration plane-section using sampling data. Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation
[0026] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.
[0027] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the embodiments of the present invention are only schematic representations of the basic concept of the present invention. Therefore, the illustrations only show the components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation. In actual implementation, the form, quantity and proportion of each component can be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.
[0028] In this invention, it should also be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for descriptive and distinguishing purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0029] Furthermore, it should be noted that the features of the various embodiments of the present invention can be combined or integrated in whole or in part, and as those skilled in the art will understand, they can interact and operate in different ways. Each embodiment can be implemented independently of each other or in association with one another.
[0030] To address the issues identified in the background technology, the applicant team conducted gas bag sampling in high-PMGRA areas across multiple mining sites. The samples were then sent to a laboratory for analysis using highly specific detection techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest detected levels of H2S and SO2 were only 0.01 ppmv, significantly different from the PMGRA readings. However, abnormally high levels of H2 were detected in all samples, ranging from a minimum of 30 ppmv to a maximum of 3300 ppmv, with a relative deviation of 0.24%. Atmospheric hydrogen concentrations are typically only around 0.5 ppm; while soil H2 concentrations may be higher due to bacterial activity, they are still below 5 ppmv. Furthermore, hydrogen is colorless and odorless, consistent with the phenomenon of "no special odor in high-value areas." Therefore, the gas anomaly in the mining sites can be identified as a hydrogen (H2) anomaly.
[0031] In addition, the team used a PEM (proton exchange membrane) device to generate hydrogen gas and fed it into the PMGRA device for detection. They observed H2S and SO2 sensor readings as high as 5 ppmv and 10 ppmv, respectively, which exceeded the maximum range of the sensors they were equipped with, confirming that the PMGRA was severely interfered with by H2.
[0032] Based on the above tests and experiments, and combined with PMGRA's long-term practical experience, the applicant team reached the following conclusions: (1) There are no significant H2S and SO2 anomalies in the surface soil of the metal mining area (but this does not rule out the possibility of H2S or SO2 gas enrichment in the deep underground that cannot be fully released to the surface).
[0033] (2) Significant hydrogen anomalies are commonly found on the surface of metal mining areas.
[0034] For a long time, research and utilization of natural hydrogen have been relatively limited. In 2005, Nigel Smith et al. of the British Geological Survey pointed out that "hydrogen has been neglected from a geological perspective." However, in 2023, the "scramble for natural hydrogen" ranked third in the annual top ten scientific breakthroughs published in the American journal *Science*, indicating that natural hydrogen has received increasing attention from geologists in recent years, particularly thanks to the rapid development of hydrogen detection technology. Currently, the mainstream views on the inorganic origin of hydrogen include water-rock reaction, mantle degassing, and water radiolysis. However, only water-rock reaction associated with serpentinization is a widely accepted explanation with relatively sufficient objective evidence, and serpentine minerals are an important marker of hydrogen deposits of this origin. Other explanations are still in the theoretical stage.
[0035] Serpentine is a relatively rare mineral assemblage. In particular, the applicant team did not find large quantities of serpentine in the mining areas where H2 anomalies were observed, and the reason for this highly mineral-related hydrogen anomaly remains unexplained. However, based on the applicant team's extensive research experience, a high correlation between hydrogen and metallic deposits has been confirmed; therefore, using hydrogen to locate metallic minerals is a practical and feasible method.
[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, the hydrogen-based metal mineral exploration method of this invention includes the following steps: S1. Within the selected mineral exploration area, according to the pre-designed sampling route and sampling points, a hole of a certain depth is drilled in the surface soil at each sampling point, and a gas concentration sensor is used to extract and detect the hydrogen concentration in the hole. S2. During the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration is taken as the hydrogen concentration value of that sampling point. S3. Analyze the mineral exploration potential of the corresponding area based on the location and hydrogen concentration values of multiple sampling points. If the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than the first preset concentration (e.g., 300 ppmv), and there are multiple sampling points around the sampling point with concentration values greater than the second preset concentration (e.g., 1000 ppmv), then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the sampling point is high. If the hydrogen concentration values of all sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and more than half of the sampling points have hydrogen concentration values lower than the third preset concentration value (e.g., 50 ppmv), then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the corresponding point is low.
[0037] Furthermore, during the hydrogen concentration detection period (e.g., 5 minutes) in each hole, the detection is terminated early when the hydrogen concentration reading remains relatively stable for a certain period of time (e.g., 2 minutes).
[0038] During the testing process, the working pressure difference of the gas concentration sensor in the working area is tested and recorded. This working pressure difference is the pressure difference between the gas pressure inside the hole and the external ambient gas pressure. If it is within the preset range, the testing continues; otherwise, the testing stops.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the hydrogen concentration value of a single sampling point is greater than the second preset concentration, sampling points are added on both sides of the sampling point until the distance between the two points is less than or equal to the preset distance (e.g., 5 meters), or the difference in hydrogen concentration values between two adjacent sampling points is less than the preset value (i.e., the hydrogen concentration values of adjacent sampling points are very close).
[0040] When the designed sampling point cannot be reached due to surface conditions, sampling will be carried out at the nearest accessible point to the designed point.
[0041] The altitude of the selected mineral exploration area is not greater than the preset altitude, and the soil cover thickness is not less than the preset thickness. In one embodiment of the present invention, the preset altitude is 7000 meters and the preset thickness is 1 meter.
[0042] In step S1, sampling points are designed at certain intervals along the designed sampling route. The distance between sampling points is no more than 20 meters, and the distance between sampling points is no more than 100 meters.
[0043] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the selected mineral exploration work area should have an altitude of no more than 7,000 meters and be covered with soil of no less than 1 meter thickness.
[0044] Sampling is performed using a gas concentration sensor. This gas concentration sensor should have the following characteristics: 1. Equipped with a hydrogen concentration sensor, with a minimum range of 0 ppmv, a maximum range of 1000 ppmv, and an error of less than 10 ppmv.
[0045] 2. Equipped with a DC vacuum pump, it can draw external gas through a silicone tube to the hydrogen concentration sensor and then discharge it to the atmosphere. Under standard atmospheric pressure, the vacuum pump has a minimum flow rate of 1L / min and a maximum flow rate of 3L / min, with a vacuum suction force of not less than 40kPa.
[0046] 3. Equipped with a barometer.
[0047] 4. In terms of gas path structure, the barometer is located in front of the vacuum pump, while the concentration sensor is located behind the vacuum pump. That is, when the gas is drawn in, it first flows through the barometer, then through the vacuum pump, and finally through the concentration sensor.
[0048] The exploration work is divided into three steps: sampling preparation, sampling implementation, and data evaluation.
[0049] (1) Sampling preparation During preparation, the normal operating pressure difference of the gas concentration sensor in the working area should be tested and recorded, referred to as the "normal pressure difference". The purpose of recording this pressure difference is to determine whether the transmitter's gas delivery pipe is blocked by dust or liquid during the site survey.
[0050] Similar to general mineral exploration projects, a sampling route should be designed. The sampling route usually coincides with the exploration line in the mining area. Sampling points are designed along the sampling route at certain intervals, with the point spacing usually not exceeding 20 meters and the line spacing usually not exceeding 100 meters.
[0051] (2) Project Implementation During sampling, a hole with a diameter of about 5 cm and a depth of about 60 cm is drilled in the soil at each sampling point using a steel rod or electric drill. Then, a gas concentration sensor (or a gas modulator) is used to extract and detect the gas in the hole.
[0052] During the sampling and testing process, the barometer reading should be continuously monitored, and the pressure difference between the reading and the ambient air pressure should be calculated. If this pressure difference is significantly greater than the aforementioned "normal pressure difference," it indicates a blockage in the input pipe, preventing gas from flowing normally into the sensor. In this case, the sampling and testing should be stopped immediately, and the pipeline should be cleared until the pressure difference returns to normal, then the test should be repeated. A newly drilled hole should be used for the retest, not the old hole that was previously blocked. Only hydrogen concentration data obtained under normal pressure difference is valid.
[0053] The detection time is usually no more than 5 minutes. The detection can be terminated early when the hydrogen concentration reading has remained relatively stable for 2 consecutive minutes. The maximum hydrogen concentration obtained during the detection process is the hydrogen concentration value at that location.
[0054] When the hydrogen concentration at a single point is greater than 100 ppmv, additional sampling points should be added on both sides of that point until the distance between the two points is less than or equal to 5 meters, or the hydrogen concentration values of two adjacent points are similar.
[0055] When the designed sampling point cannot be reached due to surface conditions, sampling can be performed at the nearest accessible point to the designed point.
[0056] For each sampling point, record the coordinates and hydrogen concentration value of that point.
[0057] (3) Data evaluation Because current research on hydrogen related to metal ores is not yet in-depth and the scientific laws governing it are not fully summarized, hydrogen-based gas geochemical exploration technology can only provide an evaluation basis for the deep mineral exploration potential near the sampling area, and is not suitable as the sole basis for borehole design. In other words, this technology can answer "whether there are industrially valuable ore bodies in the exploration area," but cannot answer "at what location and depth will drilling encounter industrial ore bodies." Specific borehole design should be based on hydrogen concentration data, combined with comprehensive analysis of geological and geophysical data.
[0058] Because temperature affects hydrogen sensor readings, especially at low temperatures where readings can be significantly lower, the following evaluation criteria are based on sampling data at temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius. When the sampling temperature is below 15 degrees Celsius, the criteria should be appropriately lowered based on the specific characteristics of the sensor. The evaluation criteria are as follows: Standard 1: When there is at least one point with the highest hydrogen concentration, which is greater than 300 ppmv, and there are multiple sampling points around it with concentrations greater than 100 ppmv, forming a relatively continuous high-value area, then the mineral exploration potential in the vicinity of this area is great and worth further work, and special attention should be paid to the area near the highest value point.
[0059] Standard 2: When virtually no sample exceeds 100 ppmv and most samples are below 50 ppmv, the mineral exploration potential in the vicinity is extremely small, and there is basically no point in further work.
[0060] When the sampling data falls between Standard 1 and Standard 2, the mineral exploration potential in the vicinity is moderate, and further work should be carried out with caution.
[0061] As can be seen, the metal mineral exploration method based on hydrogen concentration in soil of this invention mainly uses a portable gas concentration sensor capable of detecting hydrogen as the main device. The implementation method is low-cost, simple, and fast, making it suitable for quickly evaluating the prospecting potential of a work area in the early stages of mineral exploration and roughly determining favorable target areas for further prospecting. At the same time, this method involves minimal fieldwork and causes minimal environmental disturbance, making it a green exploration technology.
[0062] This invention also provides a hydrogen-based metal mineral exploration system, comprising: Gas concentration sensors are used to extract and detect the gas concentration in holes drilled to a certain depth in the surface soil at each sampling point within a selected mineral exploration area, according to a pre-designed sampling route and sampling points. A vacuum pump is used to extract gas from the hole through a pipeline to the gas concentration sensor and then discharge it to the atmosphere. The barometer, placed in front of the vacuum pump, is used to measure the gas pressure inside the hole. When the gas inside the hole is drawn out by the vacuum pump, it first flows through the barometer, then through the vacuum pump, and finally through the gas concentration sensor. The recorder is used to record the gas concentration inside the hole detected by the gas concentration sensor, and during the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration is taken as the hydrogen concentration value of that sampling point. The analyzer is used to analyze the mineral exploration potential of a corresponding area based on the location and hydrogen concentration value of multiple sampling points. If the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than the first preset concentration, and there are multiple sampling points around the sampling point with concentration values greater than the second preset concentration, then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the sampling point is high. If the hydrogen concentration values of all sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and more than half of the sampling points have hydrogen concentration values lower than the third preset concentration value, then the mineral exploration potential of the area near the corresponding area is low.
[0063] In the following embodiments, the G1 data exploration gas system is used. This system is equipped with an electrochemical hydrogen sensor with a range of 1-1000 ppmv and an error of 1 ppmv; a vacuum pump with a flow rate of 2.5 L / min and a vacuum suction of 50 kPa; and an electronic barometer with a range of 30-110 kPa and an error of 0.01 kPa. This device can automatically record key data such as sample number, sampling coordinates, and sensor values during sampling.
[0064] Example 1 The work area in this example is at an altitude of approximately 2000 meters, with a soil cover thickness greater than 1 meter. The equipment measured a normal differential pressure of approximately 5 kPa during sampling. Six sampling routes were designed in this work area, with sampling points spaced 20 meters apart and line spacing of 100 meters, totaling 327 sampling points. The air temperature during sampling was between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, and the sampling time at each point was approximately 3 minutes. A hydrogen concentration plane-profile was plotted using the sampling data, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown.
[0065] Analysis of the data revealed that only two sampling points had hydrogen concentrations exceeding 100 ppmv, located east of the central part of line 04 and east of line 06, respectively. These two high-value points did not form a significant, continuous high-value area. Therefore, the mineral exploration potential of this area is assessed as moderate, and further work should be proceeded with caution. Subsequent drilling in the area, totaling 1000 meters, failed to uncover any ore bodies reaching industrial grade.
[0066] Example 2 The work area in this example is at an altitude of approximately 3700 meters, with a soil cover thickness greater than 1 meter. The equipment measured a normal differential pressure of approximately 5 kPa during sampling. Six sampling routes were designed for this work area, with a point spacing of 20 meters and a line spacing of 100 meters. However, due to terrain limitations, sampling was not possible on route 99 and the western section of route 107, resulting in a total of 95 sampling points. The air temperature during sampling was between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the sampling time at each point was approximately 3 minutes. A hydrogen concentration plane-profile was plotted using the sampling data, as shown below. Figure 3 As shown.
[0067] The data shows that at the starting points of lines 101 and 109, there are two high-value points reaching 367 ppmv and 462 ppmv respectively. Furthermore, a significant high-value zone forms east of the sampling area centered on these two points. Therefore, this area is considered to have great mineral exploration potential and warrants further investigation. To verify this hydrogen anomaly, a 120-meter drilling operation was conducted west of line 105, where a gold ore body with a grade of 36 g / t was encountered at approximately 60 meters.
[0068] It should be noted that, depending on the implementation needs, the various steps / components described in this application can be broken down into more steps / components, or two or more steps / components or parts of the operation of steps / components can be combined into new steps / components to achieve the purpose of this invention.
[0069] The order of the steps in the above embodiments does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.
[0070] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of exploration for metalloid mineral deposits based on hydrogen gas, characterised in that, The method comprises the following steps: In a selected mineral exploration area, according to a pre-designed sampling route and sampling points, a hole with a certain depth is punched in the surface soil at each sampling point, and a gas concentration sensor is used to extract and detect the hydrogen concentration in the hole; During the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration is taken as the hydrogen concentration value of the sampling point; According to the positions and hydrogen concentration values of multiple sampling points, the ore prospecting potential of the corresponding area is analyzed, if the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than a first preset concentration, and there are multiple sampling points with concentration values greater than a second preset concentration around the sampling point, then the ore prospecting potential of the area around the sampling point is high; if the hydrogen concentration values of all sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and more than half of the sampling points have hydrogen concentration values lower than a third preset concentration value, then the ore prospecting potential of the corresponding area is low.
2. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, During the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, when the hydrogen concentration reading is relatively stable for a certain period of time, the detection is ended in advance.
3. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, During the detection process, the working pressure difference of the gas concentration sensor in the working area is tested and recorded, which is the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the hole and the external environmental pressure, if it is within the preset range, the detection continues, otherwise the detection stops.
4. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, When the hydrogen concentration value of a certain single sampling point is greater than the second preset concentration, additional sampling points are added on both sides of the sampling point until the distance between the two points is less than or equal to the preset distance, or the difference between the hydrogen concentration values of the adjacent two sampling points is less than the preset value.
5. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The preset distance is 5 meters.
6. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, When the designed sampling point cannot be reached due to surface reasons, sampling is performed at the nearest reachable point from the designed point.
7. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, The selected mineral exploration area has an altitude not greater than a preset altitude, and a soil cover thickness not less than a preset thickness.
8. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 6, characterized by, The preset altitude is 7000 meters, and the preset thickness is 1 meter.
9. The hydrogen-based metal ore exploration method according to claim 1, characterized by, On the sampling route, the sampling points are designed at a certain interval, and the point distance of the sampling points is not greater than 20 meters, and the line distance of the sampling route is not greater than 100 meters.
10. A hydrogen-based metal mineral exploration system, characterized by, It comprises: A gas concentration sensor is used to extract and detect the hydrogen concentration in the hole punched in the surface soil at each sampling point in the selected mineral exploration area according to the pre-designed sampling route and sampling points; A vacuum pump is used to extract the gas in the hole to the gas concentration sensor through the pipeline and discharge it to the atmosphere; A barometer is placed in front of the vacuum pump to measure the gas pressure in the hole, when the gas in the hole is extracted by the vacuum pump, it first flows through the barometer, then through the vacuum pump, and finally through the gas concentration sensor; A recorder is used to record the hydrogen concentration in the hole detected by the gas concentration sensor, and during the hydrogen concentration detection period in each hole, the maximum value of the hydrogen concentration is taken as the hydrogen concentration value of the sampling point; The analyzer is used for analyzing the ore prospecting potential of the corresponding area according to the positions and hydrogen concentration values of the multiple sampling points, if the hydrogen concentration value of a certain sampling point is greater than a first preset concentration, and multiple sampling points around the sampling point have concentration values greater than a second preset concentration, then the ore prospecting potential of the area around the sampling point is great; if the hydrogen concentration values of all the sampling points are not higher than the second preset concentration value, and the hydrogen concentration values of more than half of the sampling points are lower than a third preset concentration value, then the ore prospecting potential of the corresponding area is small.