Exploration Model and Deep-edge Prospecting Prediction of the Sawayaerdun Gold Deposit, Southwest Tianshan

Abstract

The Sawayaerdun gold deposit is the only extremely large deposit occurring in the giant gold metallogenic belt of the Central Asian Tianshan Orogenic Belt. Breakthroughs in deep and peripheral exploration are of great significance for the sustainable development of the region. In this study, a comprehensive prospecting and exploration model for gold exploration in the high-cold and high-altitude areas of the southwestern Tianshan Mountains was developed by systematically evaluating the metallogenic geological conditions of the deposit and integrating geological, geochemical, and geophysical exploration multi-source data. Both the shallow metamorphic carbonaceous fine clastic rock and ductile shear zones controlled the Au-mineralized zone. Moreover, mineralized alteration, Au-Sb-As element chemical anomalies, high magnetic anomalies, and medium-high values from low-wave impedance were also important components of the model. Three-dimensional (3-D) geological attribute models of various ore-controlling factors were established, revealing the spatial distribution patterns of the deep structural frameworks and hidden mineralization. Geostatistical methods were used to delineate the three edges and two deep-mineral exploration areas. A comprehensive evaluation showed that anomalous variables were well confirmed in geological understanding, highlighting the effectiveness and accuracy of the predictions. These results are significant for deep-edge exploration.

Keywords

Au deposit / exploration model / deep-edge prediction / Sawayaerdun / Southwest Tianshan Mountains

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2025 Geological Society of China