地学雑誌 | Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi)

2025 Vol.134 No.6

Three-dimensional Reconstruction of a Gold Deposit Using Muography

Muon Imaging Team at Lanzhou University has long been engaged in developing muon detectors, forward and inverse imaging algorithms, and data analysis and visualization platforms. The team has successfully validated three-dimensional imaging using muon imaging technology in both cultural heritage preservation and mineral exploration, thereby promoting its application across a broader range of disciplines. In 2023, the team conducted muon imaging surveys over selected areas of the Zaozigou Gold Mine in Gannan City, Gansu Province. The study addressed the challenges of reconstructing gold deposits, which typically exhibit only subtle density contrasts relative to surrounding host rocks, and evaluated the effects of high-altitude muon energy spectra on imaging performance. The team reconstructed high-density gold-bearing ore veins above the tunnels, along with low-density slate layers and mined-out zones. This achievement represents an important milestone in the application of muon imaging technology to mineral exploration in China. The upper figure shows the muon detectors deployed at the Zaizigou Gold Mine prior to installation. The lower figure shows the 3D muon inversion results of the Zaizigou Gold Mine (colored blocks represent inversion results, and closed surfaces represent geological survey data).

(Photograph & Explanation: Zhiyi LIU)

Special Issue: Recent Advances in Muography

Overview of the Special Issue “Recent Advances in Muography”

Jun MATSUSHIMA, Hiroyuki K. M. TANAKA,
Kyosuke ONISHI and Takao NIBE

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 559.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.559

Preface of the Special Issue “Recent Advances in Muography”

Jun MATSUSHIMA, Hiroyuki K. M. TANAKA,
Kyosuke ONISHI and Takao NIBE

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 563.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.563

Muometric Complimentary Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (Letter)

Hiroyuki K.M. TANAKA

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 567.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.567

Status of the INRIM-VMI Collaboration on the Use of Galactic Cosmic Rays
for Time Metrology Applications (Short Article)

Giancarlo CERRETTO, Elena CANTONI, Marco SELLONE,
Ivan GNESI and H.K.M. TANAKA

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 577.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.577

Interior Exploration of Unexcavated Ancient Burial Mounds
by Muography Using MWPC Detector (Short Article)

Takefumi HAYASHI, Kenji SUMIYA, Masaharu ISSIKI,
Gábor NYITRAI, László OLÁH and Hiroyuki K.M. TANAKA

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 587.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.587

Research Progress of Muography in China (Review Article)

Zhuodai LI, Kaiqiang YAO, Baopeng SU,
Guorui LIU, Juntao LIU and Zhiyi LIU

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 595.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.595

First Muography of Samail Ophiolite at Wadi Fizh (Short Article)

László OLÁH, Susumu UMINO, Yuki KUSANO,
Tomoaki MORISHITA, Said Mohammed AL MUSHARRAFI,
Nasser Saif Said AL MAAWALI, Ibrahim Awadh Mohammed AL SAWAFI,
Hiroyuki K. M. TANAKA, László TERCSI and Dezső VARGA

Journal of Geography (Chigaku Zasshi), 2025, 134(6), 615.

DOI:10.5026/jgeography.134.615