Search Results (3)

Morocco is rich in Mississippi Valley Type (MVT) copper deposits. Currently, geochemical surveying is being conducted in the Goulmima region in pursuit of breakthroughs in mineral exploration. This paper focuses on the delineation of prospecting targets in the Goulmima area based on the ongoing 1:100,000 geochemical survey work in Morocco. The study employs compositional data transformation to perform isometric log-ratio (ilr) transformations on raw data, followed by the Spectrum-Area (S-A) fractal processing, and then uses the Random Forest (RF) algorithm for mineral prediction. Finally, the prediction results are further delineated using the Concentration-Area (C-A) fractal model to identify high-probability areas, marking two prospecting targets. The results show: (1) the ilr transformation reduces the closure problem of the original data and improves their symmetry, thereby more effectively revealing the spatial structural features of the elements; (2) the principal component analysis (PCA) performed on the ilr-transformed data successfully identifies two main element combinations, representing high-temperature hydrothermal environments (Mo-Sn-Ti-W-U) and low-temperature mineralization environments (CaO-Pb-Zn), consistent with the regional mining history; (3) the application of the S-A multifractal model effectively distinguishes between anomalies and background distributions in the geochemical data of the study area, and combines fault buffer zones as the basis for mineral prediction; (4) the C-A fractal model further subdivides the prediction results, dividing potential mining areas into high, medium, and low probability zones, and ultimately identifies two prospecting targets. Full article

Conducted within the scope of geochemical exploration in eastern Thailand, this study aims to detect geochemical anomalies and potential mineral deposits. The objective was to interpret intricate spatial dispersion patterns and concentration levels of deposit pathfinder elements, specifically arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), using a comprehensive array of stream sediment geochemistry data. Methodologies involved integrating multifractal properties and traditional statistics, facilitated by the GeoDAS and ArcGIS platforms as instrumental analytical tools. In total, 5376 stream sediment samples were collected and evaluated, leading to the development of an in-depth geochemical map. The results indicated distinct geological units marked by substantially elevated average values of the aforementioned elements. Identification of geochemical anomalies was achieved through the spatial distribution method and the subsequent application of the spectrum-area (S-A) multifractal model. An intriguing link was found between high As concentrations and gold deposits in the area, suggesting As as a viable pathfinder element for gold mineralization. The anomaly maps, generated from the stream sediment data, spotlighted potential zones of interest, offering valuable guidance for future mineral exploration and geological inquiries. Nonetheless, it is vital to recognize that the increased values noted in these maps may be influenced by regional geological factors, emphasizing the necessity for a diverse set of analytical methods for accurate interpretation. This study’s significance lies in its pioneering use of the S-A multifractal model in geochemical data analysis. This innovative approach has deepened our comprehension of geochemical dispersion patterns and improved the precision of mineral exploration. Full article

The Laowan deposit is a typical gold deposit in the Qinling-Dabie metallogenic belt, which produces the most gold resources in Central China. After being explored for decades, follow-up exploration requires additional theoretical support. In this study, the factor analysis (FA) and spectrum–area (S–A) multifractal model were used to process multi-element geochemical data from 369 samples collected in the study area for identifying the geochemical anomalies associated with gold mineralization. The results showed that: (1) the mean Au content in this region is up to 1000 times higher than the Au background values of the upper crust of the South Qinling unit; (2) the factor analysis revealed that Au, Ag, Cu, As, Sb, and S can be used as direct ore-prospecting criteria; (3) the observed elemental zonation is consistent with the zonation of metallic elements in the magmatic–hydrothermal system. This supports the magmatic–hydrothermal origin of the Laowan deposit; (4) the spectrum–area fractal model can help to decompose the geochemical patterns in a complex geological setting. The decomposed geochemical anomaly map obtained by the S–A multifractal model indicated that highly anomalous areas have a great relationship with the Au occurrence and can be a guidance for further exploration in the study area. Full article