Combining Sequential Gaussian Simulation and Fractal Analysis for Mapping of Cu Concentration in Haftcheshmeh Porphyry Copper Deposit

Abstract

In this paper a hybrid approach of Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGSIM) and Concentration-Volume (C-V) fractal method was applied to boreholes data for classification of major geochemical parameters and associated features with alteration zones of the Haftcheshmeh Cu deposit in NW of Iran. Thereupon, Cu parameters were detected with higher efficiency and lower uncertainty. The purpose is also extended to delineate the alteration zones pertinent to Cu mineralization. Firstly, the most straightforward simulation (SGSIM) was utilized for projecting different lithogeochemical parameters of Cu. Then the C-V fractal model was used to discriminate these parameters by thresholds, obtained from the C-V Log-Log plot. The Fractal based resulting maps of 10 realizations and their E-type indicate their association with potassic alteration that has imposed on porphyry granodiorite. Moreover, these maps illustrate that the boreholes (1, 9, 23, and 31) at about longitudes of 643400 to 643800 are more promising than others. This fact explicitly had been correlated with reality of the studied area and denoted in its primary surface map. The results based on SGSIM, C-V confirmed enhanced mineralization in three-dimensional maps of the Haftcheshmeh deposit as a powerful combined method that can be used to detect the similar ore zones in continuation of the ore roots in adjacent areas.