Porphyry copper prospectivity mapping using fuzzy and fractal modeling in Sonajeel area, NW Iran

Year 2019, Volume: 158 Issue: 158, 235 - 250, 25.04.2019

Zahra Yazdi Alireza Jafari Rad , Mehraj Aghazadeh Peyman Afzal

https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.391835

Abstract

Main purpose of this
research is to present a local scale GIS-based mineral prospectivity model for prospecting
Cu porphyry mineralization, and to validate the produced model by field observation,
surface sampling and drilling data. Sonajeel area which is the subject of this study
is a part of Arasbaran mineralization belt, NW of Iran. Constructing a mathematical
exploratory algorithm based on a mineralization type is a complicated and interdisciplinary
task. For this purpose, results from processing and interpreting different data
sets including geology, geochemistry and remote sensing were considered. A comprehensive
exploratory integration model was built up considering the exploration stage and
the descriptive porphyry mineralization model suggested by Sillitoe (2010). In order
to prepare inputs for GIS-based exploration model, value assigned grids or evidence
layers were produced using fuzzy membership curves and then integrated via gamma
fuzzy function. In addition, for defuzzification and prioritizing the mineral prospectivity
map, a Concentration- Area (C-A) fractal model was applied on the pixel values of
the prospectivity map. Finally, the results were confirmed via field observation,
surface sampling and drilling. Borehole logs at the first priority displayed a Cu
mineralization zone with an average grade of 0.5%.

Keywords

Fuzzy logic, GIS, fractal, prospectivity map, porphyry copper, sonajeel

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