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Fuzzy logic mineral potential mapping for copper exploration using multi-disciplinary geo-datasets, a case study in seridune deposit, Iran

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Abstract

This paper describes the application of the knowledge-based fuzzy logic method to integrate various exploratory geo-dataset in order to prepare a mineral prospectivity map (MPM) for copper exploration. Different geophysical layers which are derived from the magnetic and the electrical surveys, along with the ones extracted from the background geology (i.e., lithology, fault and alteration) and geochemical data are incorporated in such process. Seridune copper deposit located in the Kerman province of Iran is the case study to delineate its high potential zones of Cu-bearing mineralization for drilling additional boreholes. Four layers from the magnetic data involving upward continuation, analytic signal, reduced to pole and pseudo gravity are assigned in the multi-disciplinary geo-dataset to locate the intrusive complexes responsible for Cu mineralization. The apparent resistivity, chargeability and sulfide factor layers acquired from geo-electrical data are also included in the final preparation of MPM. Then the normalized weights of seven geophysical, three geological and one geochemical evidential layers as main criteria are determined based upon the knowledge of expert decision makers. Fuzzy operators (i.e., Sum and Gamma) are applied to integrate these exploratory features. To evaluate the performance and applicability of the approach, the productivity of the drilled boreholes (Cu concentration multiplied by ore thickness) are used to validate the produced MPMs. It is shown that an optimum correlation coefficient of 0.86 exists between the MPM values and Cu productivity criterion along drilled boreholes.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of University of Tehran for this research under grant number of 06/1/8105003, and gratefully acknowledge support provided by the Departments of Mining Engineering. We also express our sincere thanks to the National Iranian Copper Industries Company for providing data. We thank to Prof. Hassan A. Babaie, the Editors-in-Chief of the Earth Science Informatics journal. Finally, Dr. Mahyar Yousefi and Mr. Behnam Sadeghi are appreciated for their constructive and valuable comments which helped us to improve the quality of the work.

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  1. Department of Mining Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Bagher Mostafavi Kashani, Maysam Abedi & Gholam-Hossain Norouzi

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  1. Seyed Bagher Mostafavi Kashani
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  2. Maysam Abedi
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  3. Gholam-Hossain Norouzi
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Correspondence to Maysam Abedi.

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Communicated by: H. A. Babaie

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Kashani, S.B.M., Abedi, M. & Norouzi, GH. Fuzzy logic mineral potential mapping for copper exploration using multi-disciplinary geo-datasets, a case study in seridune deposit, Iran. Earth Sci Inform 9, 167–181 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-015-0246-y

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