Correlation between geology and concentration-volume fractal models: significance for Cu and Mo mineralized zones separation in the Kahang porphyry deposit (Central Iran)

Abstract

This study identifies the major mineralized zones including supergene enrichment and hypogene enrichment in the Kahang Cu-Mo porphyry deposit which is located in Central Iran based on subsurface data and utilization of the concentration-volume (C-V) fractal model. Additionally, a correlation between results achieved from a C-V fractal model and geological models consisting of zonation, mineralography and alteration have been conducted in order to have an accurate recognition and modification of the main mineralized zones. Log-log plots indicate five geochemical populations for Cu and Mo in the deposit which means that mineralization commences with 0.075 % and 13 ppm for Cu and Mo (as the first thresholds) respectively. The main mineralization began for Cu≥0.42 % and Mo≥100 ppm and also enriched mineralization containing Cu≥1.8 % and Mo≥645 ppm which is located in the central part of the deposit. According to the C-V model, the main Cu-Mo mineralized zones occur in the hypogene zone, especially in the central, NW and NE parts of the Kahang deposit. The supergene enrichment zone derived via the C-V model is smaller than that in the geological model and is located in the central and eastern parts of the deposit. Results analysed by the C-V fractal model certify that the interpreted zones based on the fractal model are accurate. To certify this, a logratio matrix has been employed to validate the C-V fractal model for the Cu and Mo main mineralized zones.