Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet

The Nuocang Cu polymetallic district is located in western Gangdese, close to the south of the Luobadui–Milashan fault zone. A large number of metal deposits with the potential to be prospected, such as Chagele, Zhalong, Longgen, and Sangmola, have been found near this district. To further isolate t...

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Main Authors: Bei Pang, Song Wu, Zezhang Yu, Yu Liu, Jianbing Li, Lei Zheng, Hao Chen, Xiaoxia Li, Gongwen Shi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-04-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/5/514
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author Bei Pang
Song Wu
Zezhang Yu
Yu Liu
Jianbing Li
Lei Zheng
Hao Chen
Xiaoxia Li
Gongwen Shi
author_facet Bei Pang
Song Wu
Zezhang Yu
Yu Liu
Jianbing Li
Lei Zheng
Hao Chen
Xiaoxia Li
Gongwen Shi
author_sort Bei Pang
collection DOAJ
description The Nuocang Cu polymetallic district is located in western Gangdese, close to the south of the Luobadui–Milashan fault zone. A large number of metal deposits with the potential to be prospected, such as Chagele, Zhalong, Longgen, and Sangmola, have been found near this district. To further isolate the target prospecting area, we used a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) to conduct an in situ 1:10,000 soil pedogeochemical survey. The results show that the use of a pXRF combined with the geological connotation method (GCM) can accurately delineate the anomalies related to mineralization and highlight “weak” and “small” anomalies. It was also shown to effectively shorten the working cycle and ensure the continuity and timeliness of field work. Through sizing tests, the analysis of −10~+60 mesh soil samples achieved the best anomaly delineation effect. By studying the supra-ore, near-ore, sub-ore halo, and Th/U, the degree of denudation and the oxidation-reduction environment of the deposit were judged to be moderate. Ultimately, depending on the target area delineated by the pXRF, six Cu-Pb-Zn orebodies were uncapped by five exploratory trenches, which proved the potentiality of the Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic epithermal deposit controlled by minor faults in Central Nuocang.
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spelling doaj.art-67d230ce90b24934b95056824002d22c2023-11-23T12:17:46ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2022-04-0112551410.3390/min12050514Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, TibetBei Pang0Song Wu1Zezhang Yu2Yu Liu3Jianbing Li4Lei Zheng5Hao Chen6Xiaoxia Li7Gongwen Shi8School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, ChinaTibet Xinhu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, ChinaTibet Xinhu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, ChinaTibet Xinhu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, ChinaThe Faculty of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430074, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, ChinaTibet Huayu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, ChinaTibet Huayu Mining Limited Company, Lhasa 850000, ChinaThe Nuocang Cu polymetallic district is located in western Gangdese, close to the south of the Luobadui–Milashan fault zone. A large number of metal deposits with the potential to be prospected, such as Chagele, Zhalong, Longgen, and Sangmola, have been found near this district. To further isolate the target prospecting area, we used a portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) to conduct an in situ 1:10,000 soil pedogeochemical survey. The results show that the use of a pXRF combined with the geological connotation method (GCM) can accurately delineate the anomalies related to mineralization and highlight “weak” and “small” anomalies. It was also shown to effectively shorten the working cycle and ensure the continuity and timeliness of field work. Through sizing tests, the analysis of −10~+60 mesh soil samples achieved the best anomaly delineation effect. By studying the supra-ore, near-ore, sub-ore halo, and Th/U, the degree of denudation and the oxidation-reduction environment of the deposit were judged to be moderate. Ultimately, depending on the target area delineated by the pXRF, six Cu-Pb-Zn orebodies were uncapped by five exploratory trenches, which proved the potentiality of the Cu-Pb-Zn polymetallic epithermal deposit controlled by minor faults in Central Nuocang.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/5/514pXRFgeological connotation methodin situ analysispedogeochemistryprospecting targetwestern Gangdese
spellingShingle Bei Pang
Song Wu
Zezhang Yu
Yu Liu
Jianbing Li
Lei Zheng
Hao Chen
Xiaoxia Li
Gongwen Shi
Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
Minerals
pXRF
geological connotation method
in situ analysis
pedogeochemistry
prospecting target
western Gangdese
title Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
title_full Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
title_fullStr Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
title_full_unstemmed Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
title_short Rapid Exploration Using pXRF Combined with Geological Connotation Method (GCM): A Case Study of the Nuocang Cu Polymetallic District, Tibet
title_sort rapid exploration using pxrf combined with geological connotation method gcm a case study of the nuocang cu polymetallic district tibet
topic pXRF
geological connotation method
in situ analysis
pedogeochemistry
prospecting target
western Gangdese
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/5/514
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