Determining Correlation with Mineralization Using 2D and 3D Modeling of Faults: A Case Study of Emarat Pb‒Zn Deposit (Markazi Province, Sanandaj-Sirjan Tectonic Zone, Iran)

Selecting the most appropriate method to determine the relationship between mineralization and fractures in tectonized deposits is the main goal of many exploratory studies. In the present approach, 2D and 3D modeling of surveyed faults at the variety of levels performed to study the relationship with mineralization, qualitatively and quantitatively. The Emarat Pb‒Zn deposit located in the Markazi Province (Iran) explored by underground tunnels at the various elevation levels with a total length of 11 000 m, is our case study. To achieve the purpose we studied a complete statistical status of the faults (i); 2D strike-and-dip map with rose-diagram and 2D grid-based map were drawn (ii); 3D strike-and-dip diagram and solid model of the faults from the various levels were drawn (iii); the different mathematical algorithms applied in geosciences, were analyzed (iv); a stratified iso-grade map of total Pb‒Zn for the different levels was produced (v). The qualitative comparison of 2D grid-based maps and iso-grade maps for each level peer to peer, shows that in general, at the various levels orientation of mineral deposit follows the faults frequency but this factor has not much effect on the deposit grade. The linear determination coefficient between the faults frequency and deposit grade at the different levels obtained 0.4 on average, equaling to “medium” correlation. The results of the quantitative correlation at various levels, confirm the results of the qualitative correlation. The results of performed research are useful to find lost veins or layer of the deposit during the exploitation operation.