PREDICTIVE GEOPHYSICAL MODEL FOR GOLD MINERALIZATION IN THE QUADRILATERO FERRIFERO, BRAZIL: THE CASE OF CUIABÁ MINE

Abstract

Geophysical and radiometric signatures of the immediate area around the Cuiabá Mine is determined using the probability ratio mapping technique, a new statistical approach to map favorable host geologic units and mineralized environments. Airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data collected as part of the Rio das Velhas Project were processed to characterize the geophysical and radiometric signatures at the well-known Cuiabá deposit. Areas with similar signatures to that of Cuiabá were then located in the survey area to delineate possible unknown deposits and occurrences related to carbonate-sulfide-greenstone-hosted mineralization. This approach allows for an objective exploration strategy to link geological and geophysical information over large survey areas. The results of this modeling procedure infer areas of exposed and subsurface Cuiabá-type BIF that are important to gold exploration in the area and require ground follow-up studies.