Applications of Soil Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10436738Keywords:
Traditional statistical methods (exploratory data analysis), Multivariate statistics, Fractal/multifractal method, Single element halos, Multielement halos, Iso-concentration mapping, Soil geochemistry, Mineral explorationAbstract
Soil geochemistry studies play a crucial role in mineral exploration, aiming to emphasize the significance of soil geochemistry in mining exploration and to present the most common and widely accepted methods for evaluating soil geochemical data. There are numerous reasons why soil geochemistry is an indispensable part of mineral exploration; 1) Identification of mineral/element anomalies: Soil acts as a natural filter, accumulating elements released from buried mineral deposits through weathering processes and atmospheric conditions. Examining the elemental composition of soil can indirectly reveal the presence of hidden mineral deposits. This allows geologists to identify areas with higher mineral potential for further exploration through geophysical surveys or drilling. 2) Defining the extent of a mineral deposit: After a mineral anomaly is identified, soil geochemistry aids in determining the boundaries and size of the potential deposit. Geologists can map the size of the mineralization and assess its economic viability by analyzing the spatial distribution of specific elements in the soil. 3)Understanding the type of mineralization: Analyzing specific groups of elements in the soil can provide clues about the type of underlying mineral deposit. This insight helps geologists target their exploration efforts towards specific minerals of interest and avoid wasting resources on areas with less valuable mineralization. 4) Cost-effectiveness: Compared to other research methods like drilling, soil geochemistry is a relatively inexpensive and non-invasive technique. It allows for the comprehensive coverage of large areas and quickly produces valuable data to guide subsequent exploration decisions.
In conclusion, soil geochemistry plays a vital role in the current state of mineral exploration, offering a cost-effective and informative approach to detecting mineral deposits. In this context, the importance of accurately evaluating soil geochemical data is evident. Therefore, traditional statistical methods (exploratory data analysis), multivariate statistics, and fractal/multifractal methods used in the assessment of soil geochemical data are provided in this study.
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