Comparison of geometric average, union score and fuzzy operations methods for geochemical evidential mapping

In this research, we have used different integration methods for creating the geochemical evidential map that is one of the most important layers in mineral potential mapping. The Study area (Varzaghan 1:100,000 sheet) is located in East Azarbaijan province and Ahar-Arasbaran metallogenic zone. This region, because of its geological situation and presence of several porphyry copper deposits like Sungun porphyry-skarn deposit, is considered as an important metallogenic province in the northwest of Iran. In this study, we have used 1067 stream sediment samples as primary data that picked up by Geological Survey & Mineral Explorations organization of Iran. By selecting indicator elements of porphyry copper deposit, like Cu, Mo, Au, Ag, Pb, Zn, Au and As, the evidential map of each element have generated by the continuous fuzzy method. In the next step, by using Union Score (US) method, fuzzy OR operation, and geometric average, the individual geochemical maps have integrated. Finally, Prediction-Area plots have drawn to validate the evidential maps. This plot showing that geochemical evidential map that produced by US method, can predict 76 percent of known mineral occurrences and it can consider as a proper method for creating the geochemical evidential map for porphyry copper deposits.