Mineral Potential Mapping of Copper Minerals Using Geographical Information System (GIS)

Considering the vast area of Iran and extent of her potential mineral reserves (existence of volcanic belt of Urumieh-Dokhtar), a systematic view for mineral deposit exploration and mineral potential mapping is essential. Lack of a systematic view and appropriate models for collecting, managing and integrating various geo-spatial data from different sources based on various formats make it difficult to identify, evaluate and proioritize mineral potentials. Since most of the data related to mineral deposit exploration activities are geo-spatial, Geographical Information System (GIS) can describe and analyze interactions, make predictions with models, and provide support for decision-makers. Mineral potential mappig composes of different steps including: identifying mineralization recognition criteria, data perparation and structuring, producing factor maps and integrating factor maps in the appropriate inference networks. In this research conventional models for integrating factor maps have been investigated. Index overlay and fuzzy logic models are selected to be appropriate models for mineral deposit exploration in semi-detailed (regional study) and detailed stages. An integrated model was also proposed based on Boolean, index overlay and fuzzy logic models. For experimental test, the mineral potential map of Rigan Bam copper deposit with appropriate methods in different inference networks have been produced and 3 appropriate inference networks (one network by Fuzzy Logic model and two networks by integrated models) were selected. Results of three selected networks are in a good accordance with drilling results (%75). Proposed model in Rigan Bam copper deposit capability with required variation can be used for other mineral potential areas and site selection of drilling wells.