3D Mineral Prospectivity Mapping Based on Deep Metallogenic Prediction Theory: A Case Study of the Lala Copper Mine, Sichuan, China

Abstract

With the decrease in surface and shallow ore deposits, mineral exploration has focused on deeply buried ore bodies, and large-scale metallogenic prediction presents new opportunities and challenges. This paper adopts the predictive thinking method in this era of big data combined with specific research on the special exploration and exploitation of deep-earth resources. Four basic theoretical models of large-scale deep mineralization prediction and evaluation are explored: mineral prediction geological model theory, multidisciplinary information correlation theory, mineral regional trend analysis theory, and mineral prediction geological differentiation theory. The main workflow of large-scale deep resource prediction in the digital and information age is summarized, including construction of ore prospecting models of metallogenic systems, multiscale 3D geological modeling, and 3D quantitative prediction of deep resources. Taking the Lala copper mine in Sichuan Province as an example, this paper carries out deep 3D quantitative prediction of mineral resources and makes a positive contribution to the future prediction and evaluation of mineral resources.

Keywords

deep mine resources / prospectivity mapping / 3D modeling / quantitative evaluation / Lala copper mine

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