Fusion of Lineament Factor (LF) Map Analysis and Multifractal Technique for Massive Sulfide Copper Exploration: The Sahlabad Area, East Iran

Fault systems are characteristically one of the main factors controlling massive sulfide mineralization. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between fault systems and host lithology with massive sulfide copper mineralization in the Sahlabad area, South Khorasan province, east of Iran. Subsequently, the rose diagram analysis, Fry analysis, lineament factor (LF) map analysis and multifractal technique were implemented for geological and geophysical data. Airborne geophysical analysis (aeromagnetometric data) was executed to determine the presence of intrusive and extrusive masses associated with structural systems. Accordingly, the relationship between the formation boundaries and the fault system was understood. Results indicate that the NW-SE fault systems are controlling the lithology of the host rock for copper mineralization in the Sahlabad area. Hence, the NW-SE fault systems are consistent with the main trend of lithological units related to massive sulfide copper mineralization in the area. Additionally, the distance of copper deposits, mines and indices in the Sahlabad area with fault systems was calculated and interpreted. Fieldwork results confirm that the NW-SE fault systems are entirely matched with several massive sulfide copper mineralizations in the area. This study demonstrates that the fusion of lineament factor (LF) map analysis and multifractal technique is a valuable and inexpensive approach for exploring massive sulfide mineralization in metallogenic provinces.

Automated summary

This study investigates the relationship between fault systems and host lithology with massive sulfide copper mineralization in the Sahlabad area, confirming that NW-SE fault systems control the lithology of the host rock for copper mineralization. The fusion of lineament factor (LF) map analysis and multifractal technique is shown to be a valuable approach for exploring massive sulfide mineralization in metallogenic provinces.