Regional mineral resources assessment based on rasterized geochemical data: A case study of porphyry copper deposits in Manzhouli, China

Abstract This study used regional geochemical survey data (1:200,000 scale) from the Manzouli area of China to assess mineral resources. Geochemical survey data was rasterized and a geochemical atlas was generated, with the image pixel size determined according to geochemical exploration sample point spacing. The Wunugetushan, Babayi, and Badaguan porphyry copper deposits were selected as model areas for the assessment of copper mineral resources. Three parameters were considered for the calculation of the mineral resources. An ore-bearing hydrothermal alteration coefficient was determined based on geological characteristics and geochemical characteristics of the model area, in order to determine alteration intensity; a denudation coefficient was calculated to determine denudation extent; and a mineralization intensity coefficient was calculated to determine the intensity of mineralization within each pixel. Resource estimation was conducted through regression analysis of model deposit resources and coefficients. The results can be used to determine prospecting target areas based on frequency classification and can be used to estimate the number of ore deposits. Results show that resource estimation using rasterized geochemical data provides high prediction precision and accurate positioning.