The Application of Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration for Prospecting Potential Prediction of Copper and Gold Polymetallic Deposits in the Fudiyingzi–Bacheli Area, Heilongjiang Province
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Metallogenic Background and Geology of the Study Area
2.1. Regional Metallogenic Background
2.2. Geology of the Study Area
- -
- Honghu Tuhe Formation (C1hn): grayish-brown fine-grained tuff interbedded with rhyolitic crystal-lithic tuff and spotted slate, with local conglomerate layers;
- -
- Dashizhai Formation (P1d): greenish altered andesitic tuff breccia and altered basalt, hosting the Fudiyangzi copper deposit;
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- Wudaoling Formation (P2w): tuffaceous lava and grayish-black tuffaceous slate with pyritization;
- -
- Ganhe Formation (K1gn): consisting of basalt, andesitic basalt, and volcanic breccia;
- -
- Guanghua Formation (K1g): purple-gray rhyolite and tuff;
- -
- Quaternary (Q): alluvial-mire facies loose deposits, 5–20 m thick.
3. Prospective Prediction Methods and Achievements in Far-Field Areas
3.1. Data Sources
3.2. Soil Geochemical Analysis
3.2.1. Single-Element Anomaly Delineation
- (1)
- Remove data points greater than or less than three standard deviations from the mean.
- (2)
- Calculate the mean () and standard deviation () of the remaining data.
- (3)
- Determine the lower anomaly limit for each element.
- -
- Cu anomalies are predominantly concentrated in altered basalt (P1d) in the northeastern region and crystal debris tuff of the Honghu Tuhe Formation (C1hn) in the central-southern regions, showing spatial coupling with the copper-bearing Dashizhai Formation;
- -
- Au anomalies are distributed in three key areas: (1) concentrated in the Dashizhai Formation (P1d) and its surroundings in the northeast, where they correlate with the copper-bearing formation; (2) distributed along the contact zone between the Honghu Tuhe Formation and syenogranite in the southwest; and (3) widely dispersed across the Wudaoling Formation (P2w), Guanghua Formation (K1gn), and granodiorite (γδ) in the southeast, forming multiple concentration centers with the Bacheli gold deposit located at the anomaly center;
- -
- Mo anomalies are sporadically distributed throughout the area but overlap with Au anomalies only in the southeastern region. Notably, a known molybdenum ore body in this region has a Late Paleozoic ore-forming age, suggesting multiple hydrothermal mineralization events.
3.2.2. R-Type Cluster Analysis
- MgO–Cr–Ni (R = 0.75–0.85) shows a high Pearson correlation coefficient, representing a typical rock-forming element combination associated with basic-ultrabasic rocks. Cu–Zn–Fe2O3 (R = 0.6–0.7) forms another group, where Cu–Zn is an important indicator for volcanic sedimentary copper deposits, while Fe2O3 suggests hematite association [9].
- Au–Ag–As–Sb–Hg exhibit moderate correlation (R ≈ 0.4–0.6), reflecting epithermal gold deposit characteristics; Au–Hg has strong correlation (R = 0.63), possibly indicating deep concealed mineralization; and As–Sb form an independent group showing secondary halo diffusion.
- Mo is isolated (R < 0.1), likely related to Yanshanian granodiorite porphyry or independent hydrothermal channels. Combining cluster analysis results with the established prospecting model, significant geochemical anomalies closely linked to mineralization are evident in the study area.
3.3. Phase-Induced Polarization Analysis
3.4. Ground High-Precision Magnetic Method
- 1.
- Calculate the mean and variance of anomalies within each subdomain, specifically:
- 2.
- Select the smallest .
- 3.
- Use the mean anomaly value from this subdomain as the processing result.
- 4.
- Slide the window to the next point and repeat steps 1–3.
3.5. Typical Deposit and Prospecting Model
3.5.1. Research on Typical Deposit
3.5.2. Prospecting Model
3.6. Prediction of Prospective Mineralization Areas
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
- (1)
- Two mineralization models—“volcanic-rock-type copper deposit” and “hydrothermal-type gold deposit”—were established based on typical deposits. These models clarified the key indicators and geophysical/geochemical anomalies for exploration, providing theoretical guidance.
- (2)
- A “geology–geophysics–geochemistry–GIS” collaborative model was constructed using 1:50,000 soil geochemistry, phase-induced polarization, and high-precision magnetic data. This integrated approach improved target selection efficiency.
- (3)
- Four prospective areas totaling ~91 km² were identified in the southeast, north, and central–south of the study area, each with distinct geological features and mineralization anomalies, marking key exploration zones.
- (4)
- The “geology–geochemistry–geophysics” prediction model provides a scientific basis for regional exploration and serves as a technical demonstration for similar concealed ore body exploration.
- (5)
- Despite the achievements, limitations remain. Advanced techniques (e.g., controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics) and penetrating geochemistry are recommended for deeper mineralization insights. Ground surveys and drilling should also be strengthened for new discoveries.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Category | Volcanic Exhalative-Sedimentary Copper Deposit | Hydrothermal Gold Deposit |
---|---|---|
Host Rock | Geological: Hornblende amphibolite, hornfelsed basalt, felsic hornfels | Geological: Diorite porphyry, granitic porphyry, quartz porphyry, altered/fractured rocks |
Geochemistry: MgO–Cr–Ni anomaly | Geophysics: Weak magnetic, medium resistivity with high polarization | |
Geophysics: High magnetic, medium resistivity with high polarization | ||
Controlling Structures | Geological: NE–SW- and NW-trending faults | Geological: NE-trending faults |
Geophysics: Magnetic inferred linear structures | Geophysics: Magnetic inferred linear structures | |
Mineralization Alteration | Silicification, chloritization, sericitization, pyritization, carbonatization | Silicification–pyritization–sericitization alteration assemblage |
Ore Characteristics | Mineral Assemblage: Chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, trace native gold. | Mineral Assemblage: Pyrite, limonite, sphalerite, galena, gold minerals |
Geochemistry: Cu–Zn–Au anomaly | Geochemistry: Au–Ag–As–Sb–Pb–Zn anomaly | |
Geophysics: Low resistivity with high polarization | Geophysics: Low resistivity with high polarization |
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Chen, L.; Wang, H.; Sun, C.; Chang, X.; Ding, W. The Application of Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration for Prospecting Potential Prediction of Copper and Gold Polymetallic Deposits in the Fudiyingzi–Bacheli Area, Heilongjiang Province. Minerals 2025, 15, 597. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060597
Chen L, Wang H, Sun C, Chang X, Ding W. The Application of Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration for Prospecting Potential Prediction of Copper and Gold Polymetallic Deposits in the Fudiyingzi–Bacheli Area, Heilongjiang Province. Minerals. 2025; 15(6):597. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060597
Chicago/Turabian StyleChen, Liang, Huiyan Wang, Chengye Sun, Xiaopeng Chang, and Weizhong Ding. 2025. "The Application of Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration for Prospecting Potential Prediction of Copper and Gold Polymetallic Deposits in the Fudiyingzi–Bacheli Area, Heilongjiang Province" Minerals 15, no. 6: 597. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060597
APA StyleChen, L., Wang, H., Sun, C., Chang, X., & Ding, W. (2025). The Application of Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Exploration for Prospecting Potential Prediction of Copper and Gold Polymetallic Deposits in the Fudiyingzi–Bacheli Area, Heilongjiang Province. Minerals, 15(6), 597. https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060597