Based-GIS Predictive Mineral Exploration Associated With The Critical Processes Of Copper Deposits Formation In Southern North China Craton

The comparative analysis of metallogenic characteristics between the typical cratons and the North China Craton showed that the cratons are rich in copper mineral resources. And the North China Craton and the Indian Shield have shown broad similarities in geological evolution and metallogenesis during middle Archaean to the Mesoproterozoic era. The similarity in metallogenesis implied that the copper deposits constrained by the arctive rift in the North China Craton have a great prospecting potential. Therefore, the paper treated the Zhongtiao Mountains in southern North China Craton as the study area to attempt to determine a new area for future ore exploring. Because our county’s copper supply is shortage. In this study, we evaluate the processes of the mineral system, such as the source of metals, migration pathways, the formation of trap zones, and the deposition of metal in an attempt to establish an ore-forming presses quantitative evaluation model for regional ore prospecting. A three-step process has been proposed in this study as follows.(i) Determining the spatial and temporal distribution of the essential elements and processes of the mineral system to understand the most critical ore-controlling factors.(ii) Translating the ore-forming processes into mappable features and quantitative extraction of the information on mineralization using Geographic Information System(GIS) technology to establish an ore-forming presses quantitative evaluation model.(iii) Combining with the quantitatively analysis of ore deposits preservation conditions, the ore exploration target areas were finally delineated for the Zhongtiao Mountain. The main achievements and innovations made in this research are as follows:1. The establishment of an ore deposits database of cratons for comparative analysisThe establishment of an ore deposits database for comparative analysis of the metallogenesis between different cratons. The results showed that the cratons are rich in copper mineral resources and the North China Craton and Indian Shield have broad similarities in geological evolution and metallogenesis during middle Archaean to the Mesoproterozoic era. Based on the analogy theory, it is believed that the structural units where controlled by Proterozoic arctive belt in the North China Craton have a large copper ore prospecting potential. 2. GIS-based approach to delineate the metallogenic stage and analysis of the characteristics of structure layersUnderstanding the regular pattern of faults cut through the different stratigraphic units of different ages. And used the regular pattern to quantitatively delineate the metallogenic stage and extract structure features of different structure layers during different tectonic evolution, combined with faults of style, size, orientation and strength and the features of structure construction. And then translate the basements and cover layers into mappable features to indicate the favorable ore-forming region. 3. Delineate the ore exploration target areasGIS-based to translate the processes of ore formation into mappable features and extract information on mineralization to establish an ore-forming presses quantitative evaluation model. The model was used to delineate ore exploration target areas combined with the quantitatively analysis of ore deposits preservation conditions. And then summed up the method to a resource evaluation system which suitable for the structural units where have huge metamorphic basements in the craton region.