Skip to main content
Log in

Interactive 3D Modeling by Integration of Geoscience Datasets for Exploration Targeting in Luanchuan Mo Polymetallic District, China

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Natural Resources Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling is an important method for understanding geological structures and constructing exploration model with multiple source datasets for potential mineral deposits. The Luanchuan Mo polymetallic district located in Henan Province, China, has a complex geological setting and multiple metallogenic types. In this paper, we build a 3D geological model covering 43 km × 26 km × 5 km (vertical) by gravity and magnetic interactive inversion to delineate geometry, depth, and physical properties of geologic bodies at depths. We reduce the geological uncertainty and verify the reliability of the model through the combination of geophysical interactive inversion and tectonic-geochemistry methods. Several deep targets have also been extracted by combining the metallogenic model in the district with the 3D geologic model and tectono-geochemistry dataset. The research results show that the combination of 3D exploration model constrained by gravity and magnetic data with geologic constraints and tectono-geochemical data can be used to delineate the potential targets quickly and accurately in complex geological settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17
Figure 18
Figure 19
Figure 20

Compiled from Cao et al. (2015)

Figure 21
Figure 22
Figure 23

Modified from Cao et al. (2015)

Figure 24
Figure 25

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abedi, M., & Norouzi, G. H. (2012). Integration of various geophysical data with geological and geochemical data to determine additional drilling for copper exploration. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 83, 35–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abedi, M., Torabi, S. A., Norouzi, G. H., & Hamzeh, M. (2012). ELECTRE III: A knowledge-driven method for integration of geophysical data with geological and geochemical data in mineral prospectivity mapping. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 87, 9–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asaue, H., Kubo, T., Yoshinaga, T., & Koike, K. (2012). Application of magnetotelluric (MT) resistivity to imaging of regional three-dimensional geologic structures and groundwater systems. Natural Resources Research, 21(3), 383–393.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bao, Z. W., Wang, Y. C., Zhao, T. P., Li, C. J., & Gao, X. Y. (2014). Petrogenesis of the Mesozoic granites and Mo mineralization of the Luanchuan ore field in the East Qinling Mo mineralization belt, Central China. Ore Geology Reviews, 57, 132–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boszczuk, P., Cheng, L. Z., Hammouche, H., Roy, P., Lacroix, S., & Cheilletz, A. (2011). A 3D gravity data interpretation of the Matagami mining camp, Abitibi Subprovince, Superior Province, Québec, Canada: Application to VMS deposit exploration. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 75(1), 77–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calcagno, P., Chilès, J. P., Courrioux, G., & Guillen, A. (2008). Geological modelling from field data and geological knowledge: Part I. Modelling method coupling 3D potential-field interpolation and geological rules. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, 171(1), 147–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Candela, P. A., & Holland, H. D. (1984). The partitioning of copper and molybdenum between silicate melts and aqueous fluids. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 48(2), 373–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao, H. W., Zhang, S. T., Santosh, M., Zheng, L., Tang, L., Li, D., et al. (2015). The Luanchuan Mo–W–Pb–Zn–Ag magmatic-hydrothermal system in the East Qinling metallogenic belt, China: Constrains on metallogenesis from C–H–O–S–Pb isotope compositions and Rb-Sr isochron ages. Journal of Asian Earth Science, 111, 751–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Zhang, L., & Zhao, B. (2015). Application of singular value decomposition (SVD) in extraction of gravity components indicating the deeply and shallowly buried granitic complex associated with tin polymetallic mineralization in the Gejiu tin ore field, Southwestern China. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 123, 63–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Y., Zhang, L., & Zhao, B. (2016). Application of bi-dimensional empirical mode decomposition (BEMD) modeling for extracting gravity anomaly indicating the ore-controlling geological architectures and granites in the Gejiu tin-copper polymetallic ore field, southwestern China. Ore Geology Reviews, 88, 832–840.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, J. M. (2009). Geochemical exploration methods in the hidden mineral prediction in southwest part of Henan province (pp. 26–38). Beijing: China University of Geosciences. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Duan, S. G., Xue, C. J., Feng, Q. W., Gao, B. Y., Liu, G. Y., Yan, C. H., et al. (2011). Geology, fluid inclusions and S, Pb isotopic geochemistry of the Chitudian Pb–Zn deposit in Luanchuan, Henan Province. Geology in China, 2, 18. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Farquharson, C. G., & Mosher, C. R. W. (2009). Three-dimensional modelling of gravity data using finite differences. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 68(3), 417–422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, L., Meng, X., & Zhang, G. (2014). Three-dimensional correlation imaging for total amplitude magnetic anomaly and normalized source strength in the presence of strong remanent magnetization. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 111, 121–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, R. S. (2005). Orefield/deposit tectono-geochemical method for the location and prognosis of concealed, ore bodies. Geological Bulletin of China, 24(10–11), 978–984. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Han, R. S., Wang, F., Qiu, W. L., Shen, T., & Wu, P. (2014). Tectono-chemistry for the exploration of concealed orebodies of the Zhaotong Maoping Zn–Pb–(Ge–Ag) deposit in Northeastern Yunnan, China. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 88(supp. 2), 1241–1243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendrickson, M. D. (2015). Geologic interpretation of aeromagnetic and chemical data from the Oaks Belt, Wabigoon subprovince, Minnesota: Implications for Au-rich VMS deposit exploration. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 53(2), 176–188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Işık, M., & Şenel, H. (2009). 3D gravity modeling of Büyük Menderes basin in Western Anatolia using parabolic density function. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 34(3), 317–325.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jessell, M. (2001). Three-dimensional geological modelling of potential-field data. Computers & Geosciences, 27(4), 455–465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z. K. (2013). Metallogenesis of the silver-lead-zinc deposits along the southern margin of the North China Craton (pp. 25–143). Wuhan: China University of Geosciences. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, N., Bagas, L., Li, X., Xiao, K., Li, Y., Ying, L., et al. (2016a). An improved buffer analysis technique for model-based 3D mineral potential mapping and its application. Ore Geology Reviews, 76, 94–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Y., & Oldenburg, D. W. (2003). Fast inversion of large-scale magnetic data using wavelet transforms and a logarithmic barrier method. Geophysical Journal International, 152(2), 251–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, R., Wang, G., & Carranza, E. J. M. (2016b). GeoCube: A 3D mineral resources quantitative prediction and assessment system. Computers & Geosciences, 89, 161–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, X. H., Yuan, F., Zhang, M. M., Jia, C., Jowitt, S. M., Ord, A., et al. (2015). Three-dimensional mineral prospectivity modeling for targeting of concealed mineralization within the Zhonggu iron ore field, Ningwu Basin, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 71, 633–654.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Zhang, S., Han, J., & Song, Y. (2014). The evolution of granitic magmas and implications for Mo deposit formation within the Luanchuan metallogenic belt, Eastern Qinling Orogen, Central China. Acta Geologica Sinica (English Edition), 88(z2), 93–94. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Zhang, S., Yan, C., Wang, G., Song, Y., Ma, Z., et al. (2012). Late Mesozoic time constraints on tectonic changes of the Luanchuan Mo belt, East Qinling orogen, Central China. Journal of Geodynamics, 61, 94–104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Louro, V. H. A., & Mantovani, M. S. M. (2012). 3D inversion and modeling of magnetic and gravimetric data characterizing the geophysical anomaly source in Pratinha I in the southeast of Brazil. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 80, 110–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu, S., Li, H., Li, H., Song, B., Wang, S., Zhou, H., et al. (2003). U-Pb isotopic ages and their significance of Alkaline Granite in the southern margin of the North China Craton. Regional Geology of China, 22(12), 763–768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lü, Q., Qi, G., & Yan, J. (2012). 3D geologic model of Shizishan ore field constrained by gravity and magnetic interactive modeling: A case history. Geophysics, 78(1), B25–B35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malehmir, A., Thunehed, H., & Tryggvason, A. (2008). The Paleoproterozoic Kristineberg mining area, northern Sweden: Results from integrated 3D geophysical and geologic modeling, and implications for targeting ore deposits. Geophysics, 74(1), B9–B22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malehmir, A., Tryggvason, A., Lickorish, H., & Weihed, P. (2007). Regional structural profiles in the western part of the Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte ore district, northern Sweden. Precambrian Research, 159(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mammo, T. (2013). Geophysical models for the Cu-dominated VHMS mineralization in Katta district, western Ethiopia. Natural Resources Research, 22(1), 5–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao, J. W., Wang, Y. T., Lehmann, B., Yu, J. J., Du, A. D., Mei, Y. X., et al. (2006). Molybdenite Re–Os and albite 40Ar/39Ar dating of Cu–Au–Mo and magnetite porphyry systems in the Yangtze River valley and metallogenic implications. Ore Geology Reviews, 29(3), 307–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao, J. W., Xie, G. Q., Bierlein, F., Ye, H. S., Qü, W. J., Du, A. D., et al. (2008). Tectonic implications from Re–Os dating of Mesozoic molybdenum deposits in the east Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72, 4607–4626.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao, J. W., Xie, G. Q., Pirajno, F., Ye, H. S., Wang, Y. B., Li, Y. F., et al. (2010). Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous granitoid magmatism in eastern Qinling, central–eastern China: SHIMP zircon U–Pb ages and tectonic implications. Australian Journal of Earth Science, 1(57), 51–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mao, X., Zhang, B., Deng, H., Zou, Y., & Chen, J. (2016). Three-dimensional morphological analysis method for geologic bodies and its parallel implementation. Computers & Geosciences, 96, 11–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCafferty, A. E., Phillips, J. D., & Driscoll, R. L. (2016). Magnetic and gravity gradiometry framework for Mesoproterozoic iron oxide-apatite and iron oxide–copper–gold deposits, Southeast Missouri. Economic Geology, 111(8), 1859–1882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paganelli, F., Richards, J. P., & Grunsky, E. C. (2002). Integration of structural, gravity, and magnetic data using the weights of evidence method as a tool for kimberlite exploration in the Buffalo Head Hills, Northern Central Alberta, Canada. Natural Resources Research, 11(3), 219–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perrouty, S., Lindsay, M. D., Jessell, M. W., Aillères, L., Martin, R., & Bourassa, Y. (2014). 3D modeling of the Ashanti Belt, southwest Ghana: Evidence for a litho-stratigraphic control on gold occurrences within the Birimian Sefwi Group. Ore Geology Reviews, 63, 252–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinto, V., Casas, A., Rivero, L., & Torné, M. (2005). 3D gravity modeling of the Triassic salt diapirs of the Cubeta Alavesa (northern Spain). Tectonophysics, 405(1), 65–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porwal, A., Carranza, E. J. M., & Hale, M. (2006). Tectonostratigraphy and base-metal mineralization controls, Aravalli province (western India): New interpretations from geophysical data analysis. Ore Geology Reviews, 29(3), 287–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prutkin, I., Vajda, P., Tenzer, R., & Bielik, M. (2011). 3D inversion of gravity data by separation of sources and the method of local corrections: Kolarovo gravity high case study. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 75(3), 472–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qi, G., Lü, Q., Yan, J., Wu, M., & Liu, Y. (2012). Geologic constrained 3D gravity and magnetic modeling of Nihe deposit—A case study. Chinese Journal of Geophysics, 55(12), 4194–4206. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, J., Sun, T., Chen, H., & Wang, Z. (2010). Structural ore-controlling regularity and tectonic geochemical exploration in Qiansunjia gold mine in Zhaoyuan city, Shandong. Geology and Exploration, 46(1), 10–19. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, J., Xie, B., Chen, H., Bai, Y., & Wu, X. (2011). Analysis of ore-controlling structure and prospecting of tectono-geochemistry in Jinshan Au–Ag mining area, Guangxi. Geoscience, 25(3), 531–544. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A., & Biswas, A. (2016). Application of global particle swarm optimization for inversion of residual gravity anomalies over geological bodies with idealized geometries. Natural Resources Research, 25, 297–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun, S. L., Zhang, S., Li, D., Gu, W., Song, Y. W., & Xie, C. (2013). Tectono-geochemical characteristics and prospecting prediction of the molybdenum polymetallic ore concentration area in Luanchuan, Henan Province. Geology and Exploration, 49(3), 0405–0416. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X. L., Jiang, S. Y., Dai, B. Z., Griffin, W. L., Dai, M. N., & Yang, Y. H. (2011a). Age, geochemistry and tectonic setting of the Neoproterozoic (ca 830 Ma) gabbros on the southern margin of the North China Craton. Precambrian Research, 190(1), 35–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Li, R., Carranza, E. J. M., Zhang, S., Yan, C., Zhu, Y., et al. (2015). 3D geological modeling for prediction of subsurface Mo targets in the Luanchuan district, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 71, 592–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Ma, Z., Li, R., Song, Y., Qu, J., Zhang, S., et al. (2017). Integration of multi-source and multi-scale datasets for 3D structural modeling for subsurface exploration targeting, Luanchuan Mo-polymetallic district, China. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 269, 269–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Zhang, S., Yan, C., Song, Y., Sun, Y., Li, D., et al. (2011b). Mineral potential targeting and resource assessment based on 3D geological modeling in Luanchuan region, China. Computers & Geosciences, 37(12), 1976–1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, G., Zhu, Y., Zhang, S., Yan, C., Song, Y., Ma, Z., et al. (2012). 3D geological modeling based on gravitational and magnetic data inversion in the Luanchuan ore region, Henan Province, China. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 80, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, N. C. (2008). Geologically-constrained UBCGIF gravity and magnetic inversions with examples from the Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt, Western Australia. Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia.

  • Xiao, K., Li, N., Porwal, A., Holden, E. J., Bagas, L., & Lu, Y. J. (2015). GIS-based 3D prospectivity mapping: A case study of Jiama copper-polymetallic deposit in Tibet, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 71, 611–632.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xing, B., Xiang, J. F., Ye, H. S., Chen, X. D., Zhang, G. S., Yang, C. Y., et al. (2016). Rb-Sr isochron age of sulfides and sulfur isotopic composition from lamellar ores of the Luotuoshan sulfur polymetallic deposit in western Henan Province and its constraints on the ore genesis. Geological Bulletin of China, 35(6), 998–1014. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Xue, F., Wang, G., Santosh, M., Yang, F., Shen, Z., Kong, L., et al. (2017). Geochemistry and geochronology of ore-bearing and barren intrusions in the Luanchuan ore fields of East Qinling metallogenic belt, China: Diverse tectonic evolution and implications for mineral exploration. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.04.027

  • Yan, C., & Liu, G. (2004). Metallogenic characteristics and ore-prospecting suggestions of lead–zinc polymetallic deposits in southwestern Henan Province of China. Geological Bulletin of China, 23, 1143–1148. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, C., Liu, G., & Peng, Y. (2009). Pb–Zn–Ag metallogenic rule in Southwestern Henan Province. Beijing: Geological Press. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, J., Lü, Q., Chen, X., Qi, G., Liu, Y., Guo, D., et al. (2014). 3D lithologic mapping test based on 3D inversion of gravity and magnetic data: A case study in Lu–Zong ore concentration district, Anhui Province. Acta Petrologica Sinica, 30(4), 1041–1053.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Y., Liu, Z. J., & Deng, X. H. (2017a). Mineralization mechanisms in the Shangfanggou giant porphyry–skarn Mo–Fe deposit of the east Qinling, China: Constraints from H-O–C–S–Pb isotopes. Ore Geology Reviews, 81, 535–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, F., Wang, G. W., Cao, H. W., Li, R. X., Tang, L., Huang, Y. F., et al. (2017b). Timing of formation of the Hongdonggou Pb–Zn polymetallic ore deposit, Henan Province, China: Evidence from Rb-Sr isotopic dating of sphalerites. Geoscience Frontiers, 8(3), 605–616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang, F., Wang, G., Santosh, M., Li, R. X., Tang, L., Cao, H. W., et al. (2017). Delineation of potential exploration targets based on 3D geological modeling: A case study from the Laoangou Pb–Zn–Ag polymetallic ore deposit, China. Ore Geology Reviews, 89, 228–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ye, H. S., Mao, J. W., Li, Y. F., Yan, C. H., Guo, B. J., Zhao, C. S., et al. (2006). Characteristics and metallogenic mechanism of Mo–W and Pb–Zn–Ag deposits in Nannihu Ore Field. Western Henan Province. Geoscience, 20(1), 166–177. (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, F., Li, X., Zhang, M., Jowitt, S. M., Jia, C., Zheng, T., et al. (2014). Three-dimensional weights of evidence-based prospectivity modeling: A case study of the Baixiangshan mining area, Ningwu Basin, Middle and Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt, China. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 145, 82–97.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yunsel, T. Y., & Ersoy, A. (2011). Geological modeling of gold deposit based on grade domaining using plurigaussian simulation technique. Natural Resources Research, 20(4), 231–249.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, J., Zuo, R., Chen, S., & Kreuzer, O. P. (2015). Application of the tectono-geochemistry method to mineral prospectivity mapping: A case study of the Gaosong tin-polymetallic deposit, Gejiu district, SW China. Ore Geology Reviews, 71, 719–734.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41572318), the National Key Research and Development Programs of China (Grant Nos. 2016YFC0600100; 2016YFC0600500), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China University of Geosciences (Beijing) (Grant No. 2-9-2012-143).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gongwen Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhang, Z., Wang, G., Ma, Z. et al. Interactive 3D Modeling by Integration of Geoscience Datasets for Exploration Targeting in Luanchuan Mo Polymetallic District, China. Nat Resour Res 27, 315–346 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9353-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9353-4

Keywords

Navigation