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I gathered the following information during my research into geophysical methods, which utilize or are related in some way to the electrochemical actions that take place around metals in the Earth. In passing this information along, I am neither condemning nor condoning this particular method of prospecting. It is interesting to me, but I’ve not had an opportunity to actually try it, for myself, on a vein or ore body. From just what I have learned about it, I would say it is probably a valid method of geophysical exploration, and might be worthy of further refinement or melding with other more advanced technologies of today. (Perhaps that’s already been done, I don’t know.)
The Oretron is a passive geophysical prospecting tool. That is, it does not involve injecting a signal (or explosion) either into the ground or into the air. Also, it could be considered among those devices in the category of “conventional geophysical prospecting instrumentation”. By conventional, I mean the data recorded by the operator/observer is in NO way dependent on “subjective interpretation”. The responses (readings) from this device come from an ordinary D’Arsonval, or digital voltmeter. (In simple terms, this instrument/method has nothing to do with the art of dowsing.)
I first learned of the Oretron from someone who reads these forums, but does not choose to post on them. (I often get communications of this nature, and many times the contacts are quite worthwhile.) Then, I researched a little more, and found that an article appeared in Popular Mining Magazine, September/October 1989, by the same name “The Oretron”. Charles L. Butler of Bodfish, California wrote the article, and describes in good detail the attributes of the Oretron. I will not include a lot of directly quoted material from that article, simply because it is not ethical, nor is it legal. Anyone wishing to learn more specifics about the Oretron, can contact the publisher, Action Mining Services, and no doubt obtain a back issue, the same as I did.
In essence, the basic premise of the Oretron is that “most” all bodies of ore generate, or otherwise produce, a voltage potential. This voltage, can subsequently be measured over the surface of the ground, and thus provides information for the tracing of these minerals and ore bodies. (Perhaps this method is directly related to, or is exactly like that which is called Self-Potential. I’m not exactly sure, but I’m sure Steve Ryland could clarify the point for us.)
The basic theory surrounding the Oretron, is that two dissimilar metallic materials, when exposed to the proper electrolyte, produce a small voltage due to the galvanic action. In the case of an ore body, the vein or ore body is one metallic material, and the surrounding soil or rock is the other. The addition of the natural underground moisture (and miscellaneous other chemicals and acids) provide the proper electrolyte to facilitate the galvanic voltage. An ore body, which is involved in this sort of galvanic activity, takes on a definite polarity, from top to bottom. Thus, there is a specific current flow, and hence, lines of potential that may be measured on the surface above the ore body. The Oretron then, in its simplest configuration is merely a sensitive DC voltmeter, probably a DVM, utilizing today’s technology, and a couple of probe devices for connecting to the soil. These probe devices, in order to provide accurate readings are not merely metal rods stuck in the ground. They must be NonPolarizing Electrodes, otherwise you will get erroneous readings, larger than what you are looking for, from the contact voltages produced by your probes (not to mention the fact that the meter reading will “never” settle down).
There are certain ore bodies, which in a very pure state, do not corrode (in and of themselves) and thus will not produce these galvanic voltages. Gold is one, and Platinum is another. However, it is rare that these minerals are found in this pure state, and are generally found in combination with other base minerals that do corrode and will produce the galvanic activity.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever produced and sold commercially, something called an Oretron. I believe individual prospectors and miners constructed any that were ever used. In the article by Mr. Butler, he talks about first being introduced to the device in 1957, I rather imagine the idea and theory for such a device is much older than even that. Anyone wishing to construct one of these devices should probably contact Action Mining, and obtain a back issue, as I referenced above. There are enough details in the article to construct an Oretron, complete with the NonPolarizing Electrodes.
I hope this is adequate information for anyone who was interested in this topic.
The Oretron is a passive geophysical prospecting tool. That is, it does not involve injecting a signal (or explosion) either into the ground or into the air. Also, it could be considered among those devices in the category of “conventional geophysical prospecting instrumentation”. By conventional, I mean the data recorded by the operator/observer is in NO way dependent on “subjective interpretation”. The responses (readings) from this device come from an ordinary D’Arsonval, or digital voltmeter. (In simple terms, this instrument/method has nothing to do with the art of dowsing.)
I first learned of the Oretron from someone who reads these forums, but does not choose to post on them. (I often get communications of this nature, and many times the contacts are quite worthwhile.) Then, I researched a little more, and found that an article appeared in Popular Mining Magazine, September/October 1989, by the same name “The Oretron”. Charles L. Butler of Bodfish, California wrote the article, and describes in good detail the attributes of the Oretron. I will not include a lot of directly quoted material from that article, simply because it is not ethical, nor is it legal. Anyone wishing to learn more specifics about the Oretron, can contact the publisher, Action Mining Services, and no doubt obtain a back issue, the same as I did.
In essence, the basic premise of the Oretron is that “most” all bodies of ore generate, or otherwise produce, a voltage potential. This voltage, can subsequently be measured over the surface of the ground, and thus provides information for the tracing of these minerals and ore bodies. (Perhaps this method is directly related to, or is exactly like that which is called Self-Potential. I’m not exactly sure, but I’m sure Steve Ryland could clarify the point for us.)
The basic theory surrounding the Oretron, is that two dissimilar metallic materials, when exposed to the proper electrolyte, produce a small voltage due to the galvanic action. In the case of an ore body, the vein or ore body is one metallic material, and the surrounding soil or rock is the other. The addition of the natural underground moisture (and miscellaneous other chemicals and acids) provide the proper electrolyte to facilitate the galvanic voltage. An ore body, which is involved in this sort of galvanic activity, takes on a definite polarity, from top to bottom. Thus, there is a specific current flow, and hence, lines of potential that may be measured on the surface above the ore body. The Oretron then, in its simplest configuration is merely a sensitive DC voltmeter, probably a DVM, utilizing today’s technology, and a couple of probe devices for connecting to the soil. These probe devices, in order to provide accurate readings are not merely metal rods stuck in the ground. They must be NonPolarizing Electrodes, otherwise you will get erroneous readings, larger than what you are looking for, from the contact voltages produced by your probes (not to mention the fact that the meter reading will “never” settle down).
There are certain ore bodies, which in a very pure state, do not corrode (in and of themselves) and thus will not produce these galvanic voltages. Gold is one, and Platinum is another. However, it is rare that these minerals are found in this pure state, and are generally found in combination with other base minerals that do corrode and will produce the galvanic activity.
To the best of my knowledge, no one has ever produced and sold commercially, something called an Oretron. I believe individual prospectors and miners constructed any that were ever used. In the article by Mr. Butler, he talks about first being introduced to the device in 1957, I rather imagine the idea and theory for such a device is much older than even that. Anyone wishing to construct one of these devices should probably contact Action Mining, and obtain a back issue, as I referenced above. There are enough details in the article to construct an Oretron, complete with the NonPolarizing Electrodes.
I hope this is adequate information for anyone who was interested in this topic.
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