Application of 3D seismic to Enhance Mapping of Potholes in the Western Bushveld Complex, South Africa

The Bushveld Complex is world-renowned as the largest single platinum and chromium deposit within the world’s largest layered igneous complex. The Merensky and UG2 reefs hold the greatest economic value within the Bushveld Complex. However, these reefs are often complicated by the presence of faults, dykes, potholes and iron-rich ultramafic pegmatite bodies highlighting the importance of characterizing these features. In this study, we employed the 3D seismic data to delineate potholes within the Western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. The data was interpreted using Kingdom Suite, DUG Insight and Petrel software packages and were able to identify thirty-five potholes ranging in diameter from 36 m to 1027 m and depths from 11 m to 105 m. The minimum curvature attribute was able to map both the larger potholes as well as the smaller potholes. The information regarding the pothole distribution will aid mining companies in their mine plan, resulting in safer mine practices.