Proceedings to 29th Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 2013, 17-20

Published Online22nd February 2013 (http://www.gsslweb.org)

Magnetometer Characterization of Iron Ore

Deposit in Buttala, Sri Lanka

H.P.T.S. Hewathilake1, J.T. Cooray1 and S.N. De Silva2*

(1). Faculty of Science and Technology, Uva Wellassa University, Passara Road, Badulla, Sri Lanka
(2). Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, 569, Epitamulla Road, Pitakotte, Sri Lanka
*E-Mail: nalinsilva@hotmail.com

2. Methodology
1. Introduction
GSM-19TW model Overhauser effect Proton
Iron ore deposits of Sri Lanka were divided into
Precession Magnetometer was used for data
three broad categories such as primary iron ore
acquisition. As per the geomorphological and
deposit (Magnetite deposits), Secondary iron ore
terrain conditions, field data acquisition was
deposit (Hydrated iron oxide ore deposits), and
continued randomly with an integrated GPS
Seruwila copper-magnetite type ores.
antenna with the magnetometer. Two specific
areas (Site-A and Site-B) were identified for data
An interesting iron ore is located at Palawatte-
Buttala in Uva province, Monaragala district. It is
a primary magnetite deposit. The particular area
has been subjected to extensive weathering
resulting flatland with a few series of hillocks. A
vein type mineralisation of the magnetite was
Site - A
occurred in the ridge of the Horakagodakanda
hill, which is subjected to this study. Vein–type
mineral occurrences in Sri Lankan geological
settings reflect complex characters where
thorough studies are required to identify the
potential reserves. Therefore a magnetometer Site - B

survey was conducted for the Buttala iron ore to

provide a better understanding of the deposit for
reserve estimation.

The magnetometer survey is a passive

geophysical technique that measures the contrasts
of magnetic properties between the feature of .
interest and its surrounding environment. Rocks
and minerals with high ferrous content provide
anomalous signatures than of the background Figure 1 - Study Area of the Buttala Iron Ore .
enabling to screen the same. (Site-A - the western and north-western part and
Site-B - the eastern and north-eastern part of the
study area).
Copyright © 2013 GSSL 17
 Proceedings to 29th Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 2013, 17-20
Published Online 22nd February 2013 (http://www.gsslweb.org)

acquisition in this study. Downloaded raw data
files from mobile acquisition system and the base
station were directed to base station correction to
confirm the original anomalies, then diurnal
correction was completed with Gem Link
(version 5.2). The corrected data were processed
for magnetic anomalies, by using
Geosoft.Oasis.Montaj (version 6.4.2 HJ).
A prominent magnetic anomaly (value more than
49700 nT) is concentrated in to the middle part of
this map and there is some concentric behaviour
of the magnetic field which the lower values are
present in the surrounding of the prominent
anomaly. There is a noticeable orientation of the
middle anomalies towards north-east direction.

3. Results and Discussion

The main objective of this data processing and
interpretation is to characterise the iron ore
deposit in Buttala. Therefore it is directed
primarily towards a qualitative interpretation
while considering the resulting anomalies and
their various characteristics due to geological
configuration, approximate depth like factors.

The interpretation regarding the characterisation

of the interesting area was particularly based on
the distribution pattern, shape and the amplitude
of the magnetic anomalies. These characteristic
variations of the anomalies had a direct link with
some factors such as;
• The actual geological configuration of the
source.
• Depth of the source.
• The relative amounts of permanent (remnant)
and induced magnetisation.
• The direction and the amount of magnetic
mineral present in the source compared to the
adjacent rocks.
• The direction of the source in the earth’s field.
3.1 Fundamental Characteristics of
Magnetic Anomalies
The total magnetic field intensity map (Figure 2)
shows the variation of the total magnetic field
with only positive values that varies between
24820 nT and 65260 nT. The value 65260 nT is
considerably high value. However, since the
interesting area consists of magnetite, these high
anomalous values are acceptable.
18
Figure 2 - Total Magnetic Field Intensity Map
The main anomaly map (figure 3) of the
interesting area contains both positive and
negative anomalies which are distributed through
a broad range; i.e. positive anomalies are
distributed between 0 - 20,000 nT as well as
negative anomalies 0- 12000 nT.
It has shown a systematic behaviour of the
magnetic anomalies, especially in the middle of
the anomaly map, two prominent positive
anomalies are located and apart from that a
systematically stretch of positive and negative
anomalies can be observed. If an imaginary line
was constructed from south-west to north-east
direction, the positive anomalies would be laid in
the upper part (north and north-west direction)
and similarly the negative anomalies in the lower
part (south and south-east direction).
Copyright © 2013 GSSL
Proceedings to 29th Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 2013, 17-20
Published Online22nd February 2013 (http://www.gsslweb.org)
This feature is important in the context of
geological interpretation as such behaviour
disclose important geological facts.
Figure 3 – Magnetic anomaly map of the area
The main anomaly map conspicuously illustrates
the dipole behaviour of the magnetic source
beneath the interested area. At a given location,
earth magnetic field vector can be at any
direction. Therefore the field line behaviour of
the dipole source can be altered. This alteration
i.e. the inward and out ward field lines, are
recorded as the positive and negative anomalies.
3.2. Geological Configuration
The geological formation of the magnetic body is
one of a key factor that can be highly affected for
the characteristics of the anomalies. In the case of
interpretation the given magnetic signature can be
produced by an infinite combination of sources
therefore, there is no unique interpretation.
Peradventure the same anomaly could be
produced by the peculiar distribution of magnetic
minerals (unrealistic in geologically), and a
Copyright © 2013 GSSL
uniform distribution of magnetic minerals within
the prismatic form (geologically realistic).
Therefore, in the interpretation procedure, an
assumption (i.e. simplification) is taken as the
magnetisation is uniform within some elementary
prismatic form and it always follows a reasonable
geologic framework when considering the
various possible sources. Dikes, faults, graben,
anticlines, intrusive ore bodies can be taken as
typical kinds of geologic sources that are
assumed to cause anomalies.
Based on the geographical location of the Sri
Lanka the earth magnetic field vector (F) is
almost horizontal.
Figure 4 - Magnetic field lines of south
-east dipping dike
The anomaly map shows that the intensity of the
positive anomalies is higher than that of the
negative anomalies and positive and negative
anomalies are systematically stretched. Therefore
the geological configuration of the source body is
a dike dipping along the south-east direction.
4. Conclusions
The magnetometer investigation reveals dipole
behaviour of the magnetic anomalies over the
iron ore occurrences. Therefore, it was clearly
showed that the deposit was not spread
19
 Proceedings to 29th Technical Sessions of Geological Society of Sri Lanka, 2013, 17-20
Published Online 22nd February 2013 (http://www.gsslweb.org)

throughout the total area considered, as suspected Malaysia. International Conference on

by the previous studies (the ridge of the
Horakagodakanda hill) and it was formed as a
dike which dipping to the south-east direction.
In previous reserve estimation attempts, the total
ridge area was considered as the iron ore deposit.
But according to the data interpretation carried
out with magnetometer survey, a better
understanding has been obtained pertaining to the
characters of the iron ore occurrence which is
interpreted as a dipping dyke.
5. Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks go to Dr Nishantha
Athtanayake for excellent guidance to explore
during this research and my sincere gratitude is
also extended to officers in the Faculty of Science
and Technology, Uva Wellassa University, Sri
Lanka for helping in various ways.
Chemical, Biological and Environmental
Engineering, Vol. 20, p. 42-48.
Kalubandara, S.T. (2010). A Brief Geological
Report on The Uva Magnetite Deposit at
Kukurampola in the Monaragala District.
Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.
(unpublished)
Geekiyanage, P. and Tantrigoda, D.A. (1991)
Interpretation of magnetic anomalies over
the Panirendawa magnetite deposit. Journal
of the Geological Society of the Sri Lanka,
Vol. 3, p. 21-25.
Hrvoic, I., (1989). Overhauser Magnetometers
for Measurement of the Earth’s Magnetic
Field. Magnetic Field Workshop on
Magnetic Observatory Instrumentation.
Finland.
Breiner, S. (1999). Applications manual for
portable Magnetometers. United States of
America.

I would like to express my deepest appreciation

to Miss. Nayani Illangakoone, Geologist,
Geological Survey and Mines Bureau and Miss.
Amail Samaranayake, University of Rajarata,
SriLanka

6. References
Fernando, L.J.D. (1958). Iron Ore Deposit of
Ceylon. In Mineral resources in Sri Lanka,
ed. Fernando, L.J.D. Natural Resources
Energy and science authority, Chapter 6, p.
51-62.
Humphreys, D. R. (2002). The Earth’s Magnetic
Field is Still Losing Energy. Creation
Research Society Quarterly Journal, Vol.
39, p. 1-11.
Ranasinghe, V.V.C. (1962), Report on
reconnaissance ground magnetometer
survey at Panirendawa.
Alashloo, M. M., Nawawi, M. N. M., Moussavi
Alashloo, S. Y., Saidin, M., Saad, R.
(2011). Magnetic and 2D Electrical
Imaging Methods to Investigate an
Archaeological Site at Sungai Batu, Kedah,
20 Copyright © 2013 GSSL