Three-dimensional prospectivity mapping of skarn-type mineralization in the southern Taebaek area, Korea

Changwon Lee, Hyun Joo Oh, Seong Jun Cho, You Hong Kihm, Gyesoon Park, Seon Gyu Choi

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    13 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The integration of three-dimensional (3D) exploration data is important for targeting deep-seated mineral deposits. This paper presents a methodology for 3D mineral prospectivity modeling at the regional scale based on a knowledge-driven method. A mineral prospectivity map of skarn-type mineralization was developed for the southern region of the Taebaek basin in Korea. Criteria generated using the skarn mineral system concept and 3D exploration maps were extracted from the 3D geological model, and then were assigned weights and scores using expert knowledge. The prospectivity map was prepared using a multiclass index overlay method, in which 3D exploration criteria were integrated for the study area. The prospectivity model was quantitatively validated by comparisons with 46 ore body voxels from drill holes in six known historical skarn-type deposits. The success rate for the prospectivity model was 89.04%. This high value appears to reflect the importance of the weighting and scoring process used for the exploration criteria. It is believed that the proposed approach provides a valuable guide to the identification of new deposit-scale, deep-seated exploration target zones.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)327-339
    Number of pages13
    JournalGeosciences Journal
    Volume23
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2019 Apr 1

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This research was supported by the Basic Research Project of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT. This study was also supported by the Energy Resources Technology Development Project (No. 20152510101970) of KIGAM funded by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology and Planning (KETEP).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2019, The Association of Korean Geoscience Societies and Springer.

    Keywords

    • 3D geological model
    • Taebaek
    • exploration criteria
    • multiclass index overlay
    • prospectivity mapping

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Environmental Science
    • General Earth and Planetary Sciences

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Three-dimensional prospectivity mapping of skarn-type mineralization in the southern Taebaek area, Korea'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this