Recognition of gold mineralization favorability zones through airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and magnetometry in brusque and botuverá region, Southern Brazil

Abstract

The northeastern portion of Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, bears important primary gold mineralization associated with granitic intrusions with potassic and phyllic hydrothermal alteration zones and a phase shear zone reactivation. Airborne radiometric and magnetic data were applied in the study area through the use of gamma-ray spectrometry (Total Count, K, eTh and eU) and suggestive parameters of hydrothermal alteration as Kd, Ud and F, in association with geological units, while magnetometry (RTP, THDR, TDR and Signum Transform) was applied in the definition of the structural framework. Geophysical data was interpreted and integrated to geological information, such as lithologic units, structures, shear zones and gold mineralization, using the knowledge-driven and index overlay methods in order to define favorable targets. The geophysical and geological data exhibit good correlation, as seen in the gamma-ray spectrometric domains and magnetic lineaments, and the favorability map shows important target areas for primary gold mineralization. It was possible to observe in the geophysical maps that shear zones and faults have more influence in the occurrences than potassic and phyllic hydrothermal alteration related to granitic intrusions.