Massive sulphides search at the Iberian Pyrite Belt: petrophysical data, geophysical natural fields and mineral favourability mapping
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin.118.1.002Keywords:
geophysical natural fields, Iberian Pyrite Belt, mineral favourability mapping, petrophysicsAbstract
In this study we describe an application of several algorithms for mineral favourability mapping in a well-known metallogenic province, the Iberian Pyrite Belt. We have processed and interpreted some available high resolution geophysical coverages (ground gravity and airborne magnetic and radiometric data), and related them to surface geology, to detailed structural maps, and to the occurrence of the Pyrite Belt ore deposits. We also analyse the variation of petrophysical properties (rock density, magnetic susceptibility, remanent magnetization, and natural gamma radiation) measured in field and laboratory from surface rocks at the Northwestern Domain of the Belt, and describe the relationship of these properties with the available regional geophysical data as well as their significance for massive sulphide exploration in the Belt. Using all the aforementioned information, a test of several integrated GIS-based data driven classifiers has been run. These tools generate mineral favourability images using several mapping function algorithms (neural network, weights of evidence, and logistic regression methods). Mineral favourability maps allow areal evaluation and definition of possible massive sulphide occurrences, suitable for developing new mining prospects. The utility of petrophysical data and regional natural-field geophysical images for subsurface mapping and deposit search is discussed, and some useful indications on the statistical integration of geophysical potential field images with surface geology, structure and mineral occurrences are extracted.
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