Uncertainty-volume fractal model for delineating copper mineralization controllers using geostatistical simulation in Nohkouhi volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Central Iran

Abstract

The aim of this study was to delineate copper mineralization controllers in Nohkouhi volcanogenicmassive sulfide (VMS) deposit by using geostatistical and fractal simulation. In this study,concentration-volume (C-V) fractal model has been used to indicate various copper populationsrelated to different host rocks and copper minerals. Accordingly, uncertainty-volume (U-V) fractalmodel was applied to probability values achieved through sequential indicator simulation (SIS).Copper ores of Nohkouhi deposit including chalcopyrite and malachite were simulated in 30realizations. The U-V fractal model obtained by using a probability map was divided into fourprobability zones (high, moderate, low, and very low) for copper minerals. Furthermore, coppergrades were simulated for 10 times by sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS). Combination ofC–V and U-V fractal modeling resulted in a hybrid method which could be properly employedto determinate various mineralization zones based on the relationship between quantitative (e.g.copper grade) and qualitative (e.g. copper minerals) variables. Moreover, integrating the resultsof C–V and U-V fractal modeling with the most frequent occurrence of rock type modeling helpsidentify copper mineralization controllers in a VMS deposit.