Integrating Magnetic and Self-Potential Methods for Efficient Graphite Exploration: Insights from Ji’an, Northeast China

Graphite, known for its exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity as well as its lubricating properties, is a critical mineral resource for various industrial applications. Due to these unique properties, graphite has gained increasing importance across various technological and industrial fields. Northeast China, rich in graphite deposits, faces significant exploration challenges owing to dense vegetation and limited bedrock exposure. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the geological strata in the region, utilizing magnetic exploration to identify ore-forming strata beneath the Quaternary sediment. Additionally, self-potential methods were used to delineate areas of potential graphite mineralization. The effectiveness of these methods was evaluated across two well-tested and thoroughly studied geological profiles. The magnetic anomaly revealed three magnetic anomaly areas, with the low magnetic anomaly zone associated the Huangchagou Formation, indicating strong potential for graphite ore. Then, a self-potential survey was conducted across this anomalous zone, revealing a nearly east–west trending banded anomaly, suggesting the presence of graphite deposits. Trenching and drilling operations were subsequently carried out, confirming the existence of graphite ore, with total reserves exceeding 50,000 kt. This research demonstrates that the combination of magnetic surveys and self-potential methods offers a cost-effective geophysical approach for graphite exploration. These methods provide a promising strategy for discovering graphite deposits, particularly in the challenging terrains of Northeast China.