Effect of electrical infrastructure on geophysical exploration

In 2020 MRT commissioned Mitre Geophysics to review the likely effect of metallic, particularly electrical infrastructure, on geophysical exploration. The resulting report has now been made publicly available from the MRT website. Mitre found that electricity generation and transmission installations can significantly degrade airborne EM data for at least 150 m distance from the infrastructure, and sometimes up to 600 m, and in the case of wind towers effectively preclude high-resolution airborne surveys of all types. Surface EM and IP methods are also affected, even if the infrastructure is not energised. Pre-construction surveys are recommended for prospective areas.