Cyclostratigraphy Data as a Proxy for Geoelectrical Data Interpretation: Application to Phosphate Minerals Exploration in Matam (Senegal)

Abstract

The vertical electrical soundings on the Matam region phosphates deposits are interpreted by inversion. To retrieve lithology from the obtained resistivities, mechanical drilling was performed to compare directly the lithologies and the geoelectrical resistivities. The obtained relation is not simple and is not sufficient to interpret all the VES. This situation motivated the collection of supplementary information from cyclostratigraphy. Geoelectrical and cyclostratigraphic information is combined using fuzzy logic techniques to build a fuzzy inference system. The obtained results seem to be consistent with the stratigraphy of the investigated region and allow retrieving lithological succession. Further investigations are necessary for more accurate thickness determination.