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The efficiency and accuracy of probability diagram, spatial statistic and fractal methods in the identification of shear zone gold mineralization: a case study of the Saqqez gold ore district, NW Iran

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Abstract

In this study, geochemical anomaly separation was carried out with methods based on the distribution model, which includes probability diagram (MPD), fractal (concentration-area technique), and U-statistic methods. The main objective is to evaluate the efficiency and accuracy of the methods in separation of anomalies on the shear zone gold mineralization. For this purpose, samples were taken from the secondary lithogeochemical environment (stream sediment samples) on the gold mineralization in Saqqez, NW of Iran. Interpretation of the histograms and diagrams showed that the MPD is capable of identifying two phases of mineralization. The fractal method could separate only one phase of change based on the fractal dimension with high concentration areas of the Au element. The spatial analysis showed two mixed subpopulations after U = 0 and another subpopulation with very high U values. The MPD analysis followed spatial analysis, which shows the detail of the variations. Six mineralized zones detected from local geochemical exploration results were used for validating the methods mentioned above. The MPD method was able to identify the anomalous areas higher than 90%, whereas the two other methods identified 60% (maximum) of the anomalous areas. The raw data without any estimation for the concentration was used by the MPD method using aminimum of calculations to determine the threshold values. Therefore, the MPD method is more robust than the other methods. The spatial analysis identified the detail soft hegeological and mineralization events that were affected in the study area. MPD is recommended as the best, and the spatial U-analysis is the next reliable method to be used. The fractal method could show more detail of the events and variations in the area with asymmetrical grid net and a higher density of sampling or at the detailed exploration stage.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Geological Society of Iran, especially the department of the gold project, for access to the analytical results. We also thank Dr. Hezareh and Dr. Ghazanfari, for their invaluable supports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Floor No. 2, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Daneshgah Street, Ardabil City, Ardabil Province, 5619911367, Iran

    Mirmahdi Seyedrahimi-Niaraq

  2. School of Mining Engineering, University of Talca, Camino a Los Niches Km 1, 8370456, Curicó, Chile

    Amin Hekmatnejad

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  1. Mirmahdi Seyedrahimi-Niaraq
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  2. Amin Hekmatnejad
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Correspondence to Mirmahdi Seyedrahimi-Niaraq.

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Seyedrahimi-Niaraq, M., Hekmatnejad, A. The efficiency and accuracy of probability diagram, spatial statistic and fractal methods in the identification of shear zone gold mineralization: a case study of the Saqqez gold ore district, NW Iran. Acta Geochim 40, 78–88 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-020-00413-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-020-00413-7

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