Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Geology of Mineral and Water Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Geology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
This research evaluates the geochemical potential for Cu–Au mineralization in the Sonajil porphyry deposit, Iran, using statistical geochemistry, Pearson correlation analysis, and Concentration–Area (C–A) fractal modeling. A total of 1,248 geochemical samples were analyzed for major ore-related elements including Au, Ag, Cu, Mo, Pb, and Zn. Statistical analysis reveals strongly skewed and kurtotic distributions for all elements (e.g., Au skewness = 26.16; Cu = 12.30; Mo = 10.05), indicating significant anomalies associated with hydrothermal mineralization. Based on C–A fractal modeling, quantitative geochemical thresholds were determined, with high-anomaly classes identified as Au > 616.60 ppm, Ag > 3.15 ppm, Cu > 9,772.37 ppm, Mo > 66.07 ppm, Pb > 107.89 ppm, and Zn > 288.40 ppm, corresponding to mineralized zones. Spatial analysis shows that Au and Ag anomalies cover approximately 12–15% of the study area, high Cu anomalies occupy ~10% predominantly in the SW to W, and Mo, Pb, and Zn anomalies cover 14–18% in the eastern part, associated with peripheral alteration halos. Correlation analysis reveals significant relationships such as Cu–Ag (r = 0.404), Au–Sb (r = 0.515), Mo–Co (r = 0.692), and Cr–Ag (r = 0.717), suggesting a multi-stage hydrothermal evolution. Mineralization zoning indicates Cu–Ag enrichment in the central zone and Mo–Pb–Zn enrichment in peripheral zones. Integration of quantitative thresholds with spatial mapping confirms that the Sonajil area hosts a robust, multi-phase porphyry system, providing a reliable basis for exploration targeting.
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