3D inverse modeling of microgravity data for the detection of mining excavations

The gravimetric method is one of the most effective ways for the detection of subsurface structures such as tunnels, faulting, mineral deposits with the required density difference, especially in areas with rough topography and tectonized formations. It is possible to provide a more suitable model for better interpretation of the gravity anomaly. Inverse modeling of gravity data is the most effective way of interpretation, and in this regard, several methods have been proposed. In this paper, the 3D inverse method of Camacho is used for modeling gravity field data in a mineralized region. The case study includes an adit mining tunnel that accesses to a coal mineral and a drift tunnel which is partly drilled into the coal layer. The result of modeling has shown the depth and direction of the mineralized tunnels, Surface mining and coal layers. The modeling data was in good agreement with that of the observations and field measurements.