Comprehensive geostatistical Assessment of stream sediments for mineralization potential in the eastern Black Sea region (Gumuşhane, Trabzon, Giresun, and Bayburt), Turkiye

This study presents a geochemical and geostatistical analysis of the Eastern Black Sea region of Türkiye, a critical part of the Tethyan metallogenic belt, which spans Gümüşhane, Trabzon, Giresun, and parts of Bayburt. The study aimed to assess the mineralization potential of the region for both base and precious metals, using 2,405 stream sediment samples collected across an area exceeding 2000 km². Geochemical analysis revealed significant concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, As, and Au, with gold levels reaching up to 3,000 ppb, highlighting substantial hydrothermal alteration. Various geostatistical methods, including traditional statistics, factor analysis, and multifractal approaches (Concentration- Number [C-N] and Concentration-Area [C-A]), were applied to define threshold values and identify anomalous zones. Factor analysis identified two principal associations: base metals (Cu, Pb, Zn) and precious metals (Au, As), with cross-loading of Pb indicating shared mineralization processes. Kriging interpolation and multi-anomaly mapping were employed to delineate areas of interest for both gold and base metal exploration. Results revealed high Au concentrations in Demirözü (Alucra-Giresun), Demirkapı (Torul- Gümüşhane), and other areas, while Cu, Pb, and Zn enrichments were observed in regions such as Güllüce-Emeksen (Yağlıdere-Giresun) and Tohumluk-Tepeköy-Arduç. The study demonstrated that combining factor analysis with advanced geostatistical methods, such as the M+2MAD and C-N methods, provides an effective framework for identifying prospective areas for mineral exploration. These results highlight the potential of the Eastern Black Sea region for future exploration and demonstrate the value of statistical-geochemical techniques in optimizing exploration strategies.