Introduction to this special section: Geophysics for mineral exploration

Mineral exploration, the forefront phase of the mineral supply chain, aims to discover and define economically viable mineral deposits. High global demand for mineral resources, driven by modern industry development and the energy transition, has led to a significant increase in applying and developing geophysical technologies to evaluate new and existing mineral resources. Seismic, gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic (EM), electrical, magnetotelluric, induced polarization, self-potential, radiometric, and ground-penetrating radar are commonly used geophysical technologies. They are implemented through spaceborne, airborne, UAV-borne, ground-based, marine-based, and underwater platforms. Different from petroleum exploration, geologic and geophysical information about the earth’s surface is particularly important in mineral exploration. Remote sensing provides this information by measuring the reflected, scattered, or emitted EM radiation or acoustic signals from the surface. Integration of remote sensing (which studies the earth’s surface) and geophysics (which studies the earth’s subsurface) improves data quality and completeness (Li et al., 2019). On other fronts, new geophysical technologies improve regional mapping and prospect evaluation; multiphysics overcomes the shortcomings of technologies; multidisciplinary integration results in a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of mineral deposits; and the use of modern technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, automation, and advanced sensors leads to more efficient mineral exploration.