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Publications

Publications by Rui Moura

2022

GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION OF ANTIMONY MINERALIZATIONS: ALTO DO SOBRIDO AND RIBEIRO DA SERRA MINES (PORTUGAL)

Authors
Carvalho A.; Ribeiro R.; Moura R.; Lima A.;

Publication
International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference Surveying Geology and Mining Ecology Management, SGEM

Abstract
The Alto do Sobrido and Ribeiro da Serra Mines, are two antimony-gold mines located in Gondomar, Portugal, and are part of the Dúrico-Beirão Mining District (DBMD). In this work, we use four geophysical methods, such as gravity, radiometry, magnetic and electromagnetic, to improve the knowledge about these mineralizations and the lithologies and structures associated with them. These four methods allowed us to study these mineralizations through different physical properties. The gravimetric method allowed us to add more data to the hypothesis that the gold-antimony mineralizations of the DBMD could be genetically associated with a non-outcropping granite intrusion, which functioned either as a heat engine that promoted the circulation of fluids and/or as a source of fluids and metals itself. A 2D model was proposed, created with both modelling and inversion, to show that the presence of this granite could indeed fit the response of the negative anomalies found in the residual anomaly. The radiometric method was used mainly as a mapping tool, where we were able to distinguish between some of the lithologies of the area, like the Lower Ordovician quartzites and the metasediments of the Middle Ordovician to the Carboniferous, but also to observe different element concentrations within the Pre-Ordovician Schist-Greywacke Complex (SGC). These variations within the SGC lithology don’t have a clear explanation as to why they occur. Still, we believe that they could occur due to the influence of the abovementioned non-outcropping granite. With the very low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic method, it was possible to locate areas of lower resistivities that correspond to the location of several known mineralized veins, as well as the probable location for a new vein. It was also possible to observe some weathered rocks near faults and fractures associated with the Dúrico-Beirão Shear Zone (DBSZ). With the magnetic method, it is possible to contribute to areas with the prevalence of lithologies and minerals with higher magnetic susceptibilities. Several magnetic anomalies found near the Alto do Sobrido mining works correspond to the mineralized veins paragenesis. Other anomalies appear to be related to the location of faults and fractures associated with the DBSZ. The use of all these methods allowed us to observe the mineralization responses and its associated lithologies and structures through the different geophysical properties while adding knowledge about the genesis of these mineralizations and possibly the location of new mineralized veins.

2023

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Subsurface in a Former W-Sn Mine: Integration of Geophysical Methodologies

Authors
De Almeida, H; Marques, MCG; Sant'Ovaia, H; Moura, R; Marques, JE;

Publication
MINERALS

Abstract
Associated with the exploitation of metallic minerals in Europe during the 20th century, several mining areas were abandoned without adequate environmental intervention. Furthermore, these areas lack studies to characterize the impact of pollution on the hydrogeological system. The area surrounding the tungsten mine of Regoufe, in northern Portugal, is one such area exploited during the Second World War. The accumulation of sulfide-rich tailings may have caused an acid mine drainage (AMD), where the leaching processes caused by seepage water led to soil contamination, evidenced by its acid character and anomalous concentrations of some Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) reported in previous studies. The present research proposes an innovative approach that seeks the integration of different geophysical techniques to characterize the impact of mining activity on the subsurface. Electrical resistivity (ER) and electromagnetic (EM) were used to measure subsurface electrical properties. In addition, seismic refraction and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) were performed to characterize the geometry, depth, and geomechanical behavior of the soil and rock bodies. The integration of these techniques allowed the interpretation of hydrogeological sections and a 3D resistivity volume to gain insight into the distribution of potentially contaminating fluids and tailings material present in the mining valley.

2023

Hardness Tester for Analog Planetary Rocks: A Preliminary Assessment in Microgravity Flight

Authors
Pires, A; Costa, C; Moura, R; Persad, H; Reimuller, J; Gowanlock, D; Alavi, S; Beatty, HW; Almeida, J; Almeida, F; Silva, E; Pérez Alberti, A; Chaminé, I;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract

2023

Drilling Parameters in the Evaluation of Rock Mass Quality

Authors
Pereira, M; Fernandes, I; Moura, R; Plasencia, N;

Publication
Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation

Abstract

2023

The INOVMineral Project's Contribution to Mineral Exploration-A WebGIS Integration and Visualization of Spectral and Geophysical Properties of the Aldeia LCT Pegmatite Spodumene Deposit

Authors
Cardoso Fernandes, J; Santos, D; de Almeida, CR; Vasques, JT; Mendes, A; Ribeiro, R; Azzalini, A; Duarte, L; Moura, R; Lima, A; Teodoro, AC;

Publication
MINERALS

Abstract
Due to the current energetic transition, new geological exploration technologies are needed to discover mineral deposits containing critical materials such as lithium (Li). The vast majority of European Li deposits are related to Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) pegmatites. A review of the literature indicates that conventional exploration campaigns are dominated by geochemical surveys and related exploration tools. However, other exploration techniques must be evaluated, namely, remote sensing (RS) and geophysics. This work presents the results of the INOVMINERAL4.0 project obtained through alternative approaches to traditional geochemistry that were gathered and integrated into a webGIS application. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the potential of high-resolution elevation data; (ii) evaluate geophysical methods, particularly radiometry; (iii) establish a methodology for spectral data acquisition and build a spectral library; (iv) compare obtained spectra with Landsat 9 data for pegmatite identification; and (v) implement a user-friendly webGIS platform for data integration and visualization. Radiometric data acquisition using geophysical techniques effectively discriminated pegmatites from host rocks. The developed spectral library provides valuable insights for space-based exploration. Landsat 9 data accurately identified known LCT pegmatite targets compared with Landsat 8. The user-friendly webGIS platform facilitates data integration, visualization, and sharing, supporting potential users in similar exploration approaches.

2009

Spatial distribution of weathering using seismic refraction - Further results in the vicinity of Canelas, NW Portugal

Authors
Santos, P; Lima, A; Moura, R;

Publication
Near Surface 2009 - 15th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics

Abstract
In the recent years the ever growing concern of policy makers with respect to natural hazards has led researchers and practitioners to seek more reliable, precise and time efficient techniques map zones prone to hazards. Mass movement is a hazard common to many mountainous areas around the world which can pose a serious threat to the population living within the area as well as to the structures, property, environment and crops. Several geophysical methods assume a relevant role in monitoring and surveying unstable slopes. Our aim was to show that seismic refraction can meet the demands of a time efficient and cost effective method to map this vulnerability. We performed a series if profiles with the aim of determining distribution of rock weathering thickness and velocity distribution within the vicinity of Canelas (NW Portugal). The results of each profile were analysed to give thickness of geotechnical soil as well as average values for both near surface and deeper part of each profile. The results were georeferenced in GIS and thus the estimation of the spatial distribution of the parameters allowed a means of observing some correlation with the previously mapped features of the area, namely the geology and topography.

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