The specific nature of mining geophysics, models of media, and the details and the sequence of the interpretation process, including petrophysical studies, have been amply covered in the books (Ismailzadeh et al., 1983a, b; Khesin et al., 1983, 1996; Gadjiev et al., 1984; Karayev and Rabinovich, 2000; Eppelbaum and Khesin, 2012; Eppelbaum et al., 2014) and numerous articles. A separate chapter (Khesin et al., 1988) in (Borisovich and Eppelbaum, 1988) deals with optimizing mining geophysical method interpretation for detailed prospecting under mountainous conditions. These works form the basis for the Azerbaijanian mining geophysics presented in this chapter. The most specific conditions for geophysical mining studies are described below. Solid heterogeneous associations usually outcrop at the Earth’s surface in these regions. These associations are multiply folded, with intensive rupture tectonics (including thrust tectonics). Rocks of various origins and compositions with a broad range of physical properties rapidly change in vertical and lateral directions. The factors mentioned above predetermine the complexity of the images of geophysical fields. The dissected relief, complex geology, difficulties in transporting, and observation all affect the investigation procedure. Due to the curvature of the earth-to-air interface and the rugged observation surface, the relief exerts a pronounced effect on the geophysical observations. They restrict efficiency because they require more intricate and cumbersome equipment and survey systems. At the same time, it would be a mistake to view mountainous conditions solely as an obstacle. Deep erosional truncation and lack or low loose deposit thickness encourage visual geological methods. These make it possible to obtain extensive geological evidence on the nature of anomaly sources, correlate them with geophysical data, and study the physical properties of rocks and ores in natural and artificial exposures. Rugged relief can be used to calculate the actual physical parameters of a section exposed to erosion based on measurements of the corresponding fields on an uneven surface. It also facilitates the geological application of topography data. Outcroppings of mountainous regions promote the integrated application of conventional and nonconventional methodologies.
Outcroppings of mountainous regions promote the integrated application of conventional geophysical methods not only with visual and geological methods but also with geophysical, geochemical, petrophysical, and physical–chemical investigations (including areal study), which can dramatically lessen the ambiguity of geophysical interpretation. According to Solovov (1985), open areas where ore-bearing rocks outcrop onto the surface or are covered with eluvial and diluvial products of their weathering can be divided into two groups. The first has a severe topography and is considered unfavorable for geophysical prospecting. This opinion, as regards typical orogens (mountainous folded areas) of the open (one stage) type, can be easily explained since complex geophysical equipment is challenging to transport and use in highly inaccessible mountainous regions, and anomalies caused by the relief are pronounced and difficult to take into account. However, mountainous regions objectively call for a systematic application of geophysical methods of investigation. Moreover, only these methods can ensure a sequential, deep, and sufficiently rapid study of the endogenic mineralization distribution and its relations to the geological structure. Prospecting for large hidden deposits is conducted with these issues in mind. Many valuable deposits of different types are located in mountainous regions above 2000 m, which comprise about 12 % of the total continental area, and in areas over 1000 m, which account for as much as 30% of the total land. Most part of this area consists of mountainous structures formed or rejuvenated during the Alpine epoch (Khain, 1984).