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Regional Exploration Targeting Model for Gangdese Porphyry Copper Deposits
Author(s) -
ZUO Renguang
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
resource geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1751-3928
pISSN - 1344-1698
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-3928.2011.00166.x
Subject(s) - porphyry copper deposit , prospectivity mapping , geology , geochemistry , copper , back arc basin , geologic map , geomorphology , subduction , tectonics , fluid inclusions , paleontology , metallurgy , hydrothermal circulation , materials science , structural basin
An exploration targeting model for Gangdese porphyry copper deposit in Tibet, China, is constructed based on (i) the age of porphyry intrusions within Gangdese magmatic arc; (ii) the regional‐scale normal E–W, N–S and N–E striking faults; and (iii) comprehensive anomalously high concentrations of Cu‐Mo‐Au‐Ag‐Pb‐Zn. These targeting elements are derived from geological map and geochemical dataset, and are integrated by weights of evidence with the aid of geographic information system (GIS). The resulting prospectivity for porphyry copper deposits delineated by posterior probability demonstrates that the target areas extend along the Yaluzangbujiang River and contain the two large deposits, Qulong and Chongjiang, located in the eastern and central part of the Gangdese belt, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed exploration targeting model is a potential tool to map regional‐scale mineral prospectivity. The target areas with high values of favorability, especially where high concentrations of Cu‐Mo‐Au‐Ag‐Pb‐Zn are present, are the potential areas for finding undiscovered porphyry copper deposits.