| Autor: |
Takahashi, Hiroshi, Tomita, Shohei Albert, Koike, Katsuaki, Yoshiyama, Hiroo |
| Předmět: |
|
| Zdroj: |
Natural Resources Research; Feb2023, Vol. 32 Issue 1, p129-145, 17p |
| Abstrakt: |
Exploration of low-sulfidation epithermal Au deposits is expected to increase because these deposits are economically competitive and globally occurring as well as produce low environmental load via underground mining. Drilling is the main exploration tool for identifying mineralized zones in three dimensions; however, selecting drill targets is a major technical challenge in exploration work. This challenge can be addressed by effectively employing our conceptual model of a "cold-water trap," an ore-deposition mechanism induced by cold groundwater in shallow aquifer. In two previous case studies on low-sulfidation epithermal deposits, this mechanism was verified via geological modeling and numerical simulations, and potential mineralized zones were three-dimensionally confirmed in undrilled areas. Here, we methodize the utilization of numerical simulations for epithermal Au exploration and prepare the operational guidelines for a new exploration method. In this method, the trapping scenario can be modified to explore deposits generated by incomplete cold-water trapping. Because this method functions effectively from the time at which the necessary data for geological modeling are obtained, it is adapted to operate over the time of drill exploration. Furthermore, the proposed method can be adapted to brownfield explorations, such as around the existing deposits. Sensitivity analysis revealed permeability to be the most important parameter for the numerical simulation. Analyzing drill cores with respect to fracture properties such as width and density as well as the extent of the hydrothermal alteration halo is crucial for the accurate estimation of permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
|
Full text from SpringerLink