Increasing the Exploration Success and Intensify of Stream Sediment Geochemical Halos Using Recognizing and Omitting the Non-Predictive Factors- Case Studies: Fluorite and Copper Mineralization

Study of geochemical stream sediments is an effective method for prospecting mineral deposits especially in preliminary exploration stages. In this regard, generally multivariate analysis, for example factor analysis, is used to elicit an indicator component of the mineralization type sought. There are still several problems with regard to usage of factor analysis that have been discussed in several published papers. In this research, we have used the stepwise factor analysis, which is a new approach to create geochemical stream sediment evidential map. Using the stepwise factor analysis, we have succeeded in recognizing more effective indicator components, increasing the intensity of geochemical halos and explaining higher percentage of the total variance of the data. We have also improved the prediction rate of mineral occurrences and consequently, increasing the exploration success. In this research, we have successfully used the stepwise factor analysis to generate enhanced geochemical evidential map for prospecting two different deposit-types in two different areas of Iran for case studies. Using the stepwise factor analysis, the total variance relevant to the indicator component of porphyry copper mineralization has been increased from 13.43 to 20.05, and the prediction rate of mineral occurrences has been increased from 34.37% to 46.8% for cumulative percentile of 95% frequency. Hence, the exploration success has been increased up to 13% at least in the study area. Furthermore, using stepwise factor analysis, there are much simultaneous present of geochemical anomalies and geological indicative features.