Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-Based Vector Magnetic Survey System for Geophysical Exploration

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Magnetic field measurements are used by geophysicists to determine where and what mineral resources lay underground. These magnetic surveys are typically scalar, measuring only the strength of the magnetic field, but not it's direction. Vector measurements, which include both the strength and direction of the magnetic field, are more difficult to obtain as this method requires a magnetometer sensor capable of measuring the strength and direction, as well as knowledge of the sensor's direction when each measurement is made. While uncommon, vector surveying is critically important for identifying some mineral targets. Most vector magnetic surveys and many non-vector surveys currently rely on expensive piloted aircraft to carry magnetometers and make magnetic measurements over a wide area. The magnetic surveying industry has shifted rapidly towards using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for conducting scalar magnetic surveys. UAVs are able to fly lower to the ground and make measurements with tighter spacing than piloted aircraft which improves survey resolution, in addition to being much less costly to operate. However, currently there is no known UAV-based system capable of making vector magnetic measurements available in Canada. The team behind this proposal at the University of Alberta has already developed a vector magnetometer that was originally designed for space satellites, and is now seeking to integrate it with a Canadian UAV to create a low cost system for conducting high resolution vector magnetic surveys. The space flight heritage of this sensor has driven it to have exceptionally low volume, mass and power draw while retaining extremely high measurement resolution, making it ideally suited for integration with a UAV. Demand for geophysical surveying services, including magnetic surveys is increasing due to strong and growing demand for many metals critical to electric vehicles and other renewable technologies. The magnetic surveying system resulting from this research will reduce costs and improve the quality of magnetic data that is available for resource exploration, helping Canada contribute to a sustainable future.