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Application of geophysical methods for prognostication of porphyry-copper

mineralizations

Conference Paper · October 2011

DOI: 10.3997/2214-4609-pdb.262.R19

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R19
Application of Geophysical Methods for
Prognostication of Porphyry-copper
Mineralizations
A. Tsvetkov* (University of Mining and Geology) & A. Kisyov (University of
Mining and Geology)

SUMMARY
Rock density and magnetic properties have been studied of about 700 rock samples from the region of the
"Elatsite" ore deposit and its peripheral parts. The geological nature of the magnetic and gravity anomalies
in the central part of the Balkan structural area is studied in relation to prediction of copper and gold-
containing ores. Based on a detailed analysis of geophysical data and results of quantitative interpretation
of magnetic and gravity geophysical anomalies, geophysical criteria for the prediction of ore minerals in
the studied region are outlined.

6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society - Budapest, Hungary

3-6 October 2011
Introduction

Geophysical data obtained through the years in the region of the “Elatsite” ore deposit and its
peripheral eastern parts as far as the “Svishti Plaz” deposit have been analyzed and summarized.
Additional information concerning the structure and the metallogenic prospects of this part of the
Balkan structural zone is achieved as a result. The method that was extensively used was magnetic
and gravity data modeling. Well-known geological information and results of detailed geophysical
research were also involved.

Rock Physical Properties

The region abounds in Hercynian granodiorites of the so called Vezhen pluton as well as in altered
Lower Paleozoic phyllites, schists, etc. that are located southwards of the intrusive rocks
(Kalaidzhiev, S. et al., 1984). Amongst those subvolcanic and hypabyssal intrusive bodies are found
predominantly monzodiorite or granodiorite porphyrites whose intrusion was controlled by the
subequatorial Kashan fault. Magmatic bodies have played an important part in the process of ore
formation and their study significantly contributes to metallogenic research work in this region.

Rock density and magnetic properties of rocks have been studied through laboratory measurements of
around 700 drill core samples and superficial exposures that have been collected and examined in the
course of geophysical research carried out throughout the years.
Table № 1 Density ρ and magnetic susceptibility κ of the rocks in the region of the “Elatsite” ore
deposit.
№ Lithological variation Number of samples ρ, g/cm3 κ . 105 SI
1 Granodiorite 367 2,58 482
2 Schist 162 2,70 1332
3 Quartz-syenodiorite porphyrite 62 2,59 470
4 Diorite porphyrite 21 2,58 726
5 Granodiorite porphyrite 29 2,59 1114
6 Hornfels 30 2,69 550
7 Sandstone 31 2,53 7

Low-grade metamorphic rocks are the heaviest; these are non-changed and contact changed phyllites,
schists, etc. whose mean density is 2,69 - 2,70 g/cm3. Between them and the granodiorites of the
Vezhen pluton and the dykes of various types of porphyrite whose mean density is 2,59 g/cm3, a
density boundary is formed that has a serious impact on the gravitational field in the region. Another
pronounced density contrast is observed in the southern part of that area, between the metamorphites
and the sedimentary rocks that have mean density of 2,53 g/cm3. It has been established that rocks like
schists, hornfels, diorite porphyrites, syenodiorite porphyrites and granodiorite porphyrites, that have
more prominent magnetic properties participate in the structure of the region. Their presence
determines the diverse and differentiated magnetic field that has been established.

Analysis of Geophysical Data

Gravimetric work is performed with a density of 16 points/km2 and that of magnetometric
measurements is 25-30 points/km2. The Bouguer anomalies of the gravity field are calculated with
topographic correction of up to 250 km and with a standard density of 2,67 g/cm3 of the so called
intermediary layer. As a result of magnetometric studies, the anomalous field ΔТа is outlined. The
relief of the area is broken and at some places accessibility is obstructed, therefore in certain cases the
flow of gravimetric and magnetic points is disrupted.

6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society - Budapest, Hungary

3-6 October 2011
During the years, in certain areas between the “Elatsite” open pit and the “Svishti Plaz” deposit, more
detailed magnitometric and electrical profiling studies were performed that involved measuring of
electrical resistivity and induced polarization. The obtained results were employed in the mapping of
fault zones, of quartz-sulphide veins, and of strongly magnetic igneous and metamorphic rocks.
The gravity field Δg in the region contains anomalies predominantly of the gradient transition type as
well as certain local maxima and minima. It is established that the linear anomalies of Δg follow the
prominent faulting of the area in the direction of east-west and northwest-southeast. Figure 1
introduces an interpretation scheme of the region based on geophysical data. What is most prominent
is the broad and well-pronounced gravitational gradient zone that spreads in sub-equatorial direction
and which is caused by the effect of the density contrast between the granodiorites of the Vezhen
pluton and the heavier metamorphites. Some complications in its shape are observed that are most
probably caused by sections of mutual intrusion of granodiorites and metamorphites in depth. Certain
regularity is established with respect to porphyritic mineralization which is localized in areas of
disconnection and displacement of the main shear zone of the deposit (Ivanov, Zh. et al., 2004;
Petrov, N., 2005). Due to the above regularity, we consider these peculiarities of the gravitational
field to be a major metallogenic indicator.

Figure 1 Interpretation scheme of the region based on geophysical data.

The sources of magnetic anomalies in the deposit could be both the changed or unaltered schists of the
diabase-phyllitoid complex and the Upper Cretaceous dykes. The most essential element of the
magnetic field in the area of the “Elatsite” deposit is an intensive maximum of ΔТ that reaches a peak
of up to 1000 nT in its most prominent section where the shape is relatively complex and does not
correspond to the shape and the size of the Elatsite intrusive. This is probably related to a large sized
relatively deep magmatic body which is dipping towards north-east. The above is proved by the
established intensive sub-vertical radial faulting and cracking of the rocks (Georgiev, G., 2005)
amidst which ore mineralization in the region of the “Elatsite” pit is to be found.

6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society - Budapest, Hungary

3-6 October 2011
Results of the Magnetic Field Modeling
2-D magnetic models are constructed, using SIMAG-21 programs (Stavrev, P. et al., 1988). The
results of them indicate that some of the most prominent magnetic anomalies in the area between the
“Elatsite” and “Svishti Plaz” deposits are probably caused by stockwork magmatic bodies of the
Upper Cretaceous formed at a certain depth below the earth’s surface. This is shown in Fugure 2 that
illustrates the modeling results of an intensive magnetic anomaly with a peak value of over 600 nT
which is located west of the Kapalou peak. Dykes of Upper Cretaceous syenodiorite porphyrites and
Paleozoic diorite porphyrites abound there. The magnetic anomaly is located entirely within altered
metamorphites (hornfels, spotty schists, and skarnoids), in the immediate proximity of their contact
with the Vezhen pluton. The presence of a section with negative values having an intensity of around
200 nT indicates of a dip of the magnetically active body. According to the model constructed, the
body is dipping towards north-east at an angle of 70° and its depth is about 140 m. Its upper boundary
is at a depth of approximately 80 m, whereas its lower boundary extends up to 900 m below the
Earth’s surface. The body is characterized by a very high level of natural remanent magnetization
(Jn = 250 nT), a fact that indicates the excessive magnetic properties of the interpreted magnetically
active body. In compliance with the data of the geophysical modeling, a hole has been drilled
(Tsvetkov, A., 2005) so that it crosses the body within a 200-metres interval without reaching its
lower boundary, since the borehole ends at a depth of 300.6 m below the Earth’s surface.

Figure 2 Model of the magnetically

active body along a profile, west of
Kapalu
1- Hornfels, schists and skarnoids (Lower
Paleozoic-Precambrian) 2 - Vezhen
pluton (Paleozoic), 3- diorite porphyrite
(Paleozoic), 4- syenodiorite porphyrite
(Upper Cretaceous), 5-quartz- sericite
chlorite porphyrite, 6 - epidotization,
7- magnetically active body with data on
the intensity and angle of the remanent
magnetization vector.

The analysis of the constructed magnetic models points to the fact that some of the prominent
magnetic anomalies on the “Elatsite – Svishti Plaz” area are probably brought about by covered
stockwork Upper Cretaceous magmatic bodies of a thickness ranging from 200-300 m to around 800-
900 m whose superficial manifestation are the subvolcanic and hypabyssal intrusive bodies and dykes
observed on the surface. The major parameters of the igneous bodies (depth, width and dip) for three
of the interpreted magnetic anomalies are shown in Figure 1.

6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society - Budapest, Hungary

3-6 October 2011
Conclusions
In compliance with the results of the research, criteria are outlined for predicting mineralization in the
central part of the Balkan structural zone. The following are worth mentioning as more important:

a) The presence of intensive local magnetic peaks that fall within areas of abundance of Upper
Cretaceous monzodiorite and, less often, of granodiorite bodies and dykes. Most probably, those are
caused by stocks and stocklike bodies of prominent magnetic properties that are the in-depth sources
of the above-mentioned uncovering igneous bodies. With respect to this, it is worth paying attention
to the intensive magnetic anomalies arranged in a wide belt along the line “west of the Kapalou peak
– south of the Kordouna peak – south-west of the Svishti Plaz peak”.

b) The gravimetric data with local maxima and minima helps establishing the specific bending of the
gravitational gradient of the Kashana fault system. This bending is probably related to sections of
stretching and shrinkage that are favorable for the deposition of ore mineralization.

c) During the interpretation of the gravimetric and the magnetic fields, faults are observed that are
striking in east-west, northeast-southwest, and northwest-southeast direction and that are also
considered ore-bearing and ore-controlling; besides, their intersection points are established.

d) As a result from data obtained by electric profiling with a 3-electrode array, zones and axes of
conductivity are outlined whose length is 1000 m and more. Along their spread are established
mineralizations with increased content of gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, etc.

e) Applying the method of induced polarization, zones of increased polarization are established south-
east of the Svishti Plaz peak. Gold and sulphide veins are outlined along these zones.

References

Georgiev, G. [2005] Geological model of deposit Elatsite. Abstract of the dissertation. (in Bulgarian)

Kalaidjiev S., Hadzjiski, K. Angelov. [1984] Structural conditions for the localization of copper-
porphyry deposit Elatsite. Review of the Bulgarian Geological Society , Vol. 45, 2, 189-196. (in
Bulgarian)

Petrov, N. [2005] Mechanism of implementation of Upper Cretaceous magmatic bodies in the region
of copper-porphyry deposit Elatsite. Annual of University, Faculty of Geology and Geography,
Vol. 1 - Geology, 98, 43-64. (in Bulgarian)

Stavrev, P., V. Nedev, I. Christova. [1988] The software system of two-dimensional interpretation of
magnetic anomalies. 33-th International Geophysical Symposium. Proceedings, Prague, V (II), 300-
309. (in Russian)

Tsvetkov, A. [2005] Geophysical characteristics of the area "Elatsite - Svishti plaz." Contract Report
(unpublished data). (in Bulgarian)

6th Congress of Balkan Geophysical Society - Budapest, Hungary

3-6 October 2011

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