Mineral Exploration in the Central Xicheng Ore Field, China, Using the Tectono-Geochemistry, Staged Factor Analysis, and Fractal Model

As China’s third-largest lead–zinc ore field, the Xicheng Ore Field has significant potential for discovering concealed deposits. In this study, a tectono-geochemical survey was conducted, and 1329 composite samples (comprising 5614 subsamples) were collected from the central part of the field. The dataset was analyzed using staged factor analysis (SFA) and concentration–area (C–A) fractal model. Four geochemical factors were extracted from centered log-ratio (CLR)-transformed data: F2-1 (Ag–Pb–Sb–Hg), F2-2 (Mo–Sb–(Zn)), F2-3 (Au–Bi), and F2-4 (W–Sn). Known Pb–Zn deposits coincide with positive F2-1 and negative F2-2 anomalies, as identified by the C–A fractal model, suggesting these factors are reliable indicators of Pb–Zn mineralization. Five Pb–Zn exploration targets were delineated. Statistical analysis and anomaly maps for F2-3 and F2-4 also indicate the potential for Au and W mineralization. Notably, some anomalies from different factors spatially overlap, indicating the possibility of epithermal Pb–Zn mineralization at shallow depths and mesothermal to hyperthermal Au and W mineralization at great depths. Overall, the integration of tectono-geochemistry, targeted and composite sampling, SFA, and C–A fractal modeling proves to be an effective and economical approach for identifying and enhancing ore-related geochemical anomalies.