Fractal dimension and its implication to Mineral Exploration: A case study from Jonnagiri and Gadag gold deposits in India

Abstract

Fractal dimensions characterise the spatial distribution pattern of mineral deposits, allowing the mineralization processes to be grasped beneath and at the surface. This study considered the mineralized vein along the fracture/shear zone near Dona temple, Jonnagiri gold deposit and borehole data from Sangli block, Gadag gold deposit. The above mentioned zones are considered using fractal dimensional analysis to constrain the fluid flow pathways. The box-counting technique is used to measure the fractal dimension of the mineralized vein along the surface from a detailed to regional scale. The fractal correlation integral method is used to provide the fractal dimension values from the gold assay (in g/t). The obtained box-counting fractal dimension values vary from 1.07 to 1.36, whilst fractal dimensions obtained from the fractal correlation integral method range from 0.03 to 1.97. Higher fractal values signify a fully matured interlinked fracture/fault network with steep fluid flow pathways, while lower values indicate the converse condition. Further, the study shows that the fractal analysis of the mineralized vein along fracture/shear zone appears to correlate with the fault system rather than the litho-contact. Economic gold deposition is mainly along the structure with steep fractal gradient, which is the target area for economic gold exploration.