Application of the SWARA-MOORA Method for Cu Prospectivity Mapping in Abhar 1:100000 Geological Map, Iran

Execution of exploration activities is costly and time-consuming, which reveals the necessity of mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM) for identifying highly mineral potential zones. In this regard, the present study introduces a new hybrid method called SWARA-MOORA, through which different evidence layers can be integrated to map Cu highly potential zones in the Abhar area. Thus, based on expert judgments, six evidence layers as targeting criteria was considered. For fulfilling the integration process, the spatial values of predictor maps were initially transformed into a new space ranging [0,1] and then were categorized by C-A fractal-based model to determine thresholds of favorable populations. To generate the overlay prospectivity map pertaining to the mineral deposit of type sought, SWARA method was used to determine the weights of criteria and sub-criteria and MOORA was concerned with order preference of decision alternatives. In order to evaluate the efficiency of SWARA-MOORA overlay prospectivity map, the Predication-Area (P–A) plot along with normalized density (Nd) was used. This predictive map foresees 19% of the study area as prospective areas through which 81% of the known Cu occurrences are ascertained. The relevant Nd is 4.26 that affirms that SWARA-MOORA overlay prospectivity map can be applied efficiently as a target map for subsequent detailed explorations.