Explainable artificial intelligence models for mineral prospectivity mapping

Mineral prospectivity mapping(MPM)is designed to reduce the exploration search space by combining and analyzing geological prospecting big data.Such geological big data are too large and complex for humans to effectively handle and interpret.Artificial intelligence(AI)algorithms,which are powerful tools for mining nonlinear mineralization patterns in big data obtained from mineral exploration,have demonstrated excellent performance in MPM.However,AI-driven MPM faces several challenges,including difficult interpretability,poor generalizability,and physical inconsistencies.In this study,based on previous studies,we devised a novel workflow that aims to constructing more transparent and explainable artificial intelligence(XAI)models for MPM by embedding domain knowledge throughout the AI-driven MPM,from input data to model design and model output.This newly proposed approach provides strong geological and conceptual leads that guide the entire AI-driven MPM model training process,thereby improving model interpretability and performance.Overall,the development of XAI models for MPM is capable of embedding prior and expert knowledge throughout the modeling process,presenting a valuable and promising area for future research designed to improve MPM.

Machine learning-based prediction of trace element concentrations using data from the Karoo large igneous province and its application in prospectivity mapping

In this study,we present a machine learning-based method to predict trace element concentrations from major and minor element concentration data using a legacy lithogeochemical database of magmatic rocks from the Karoo large igneous province(Gondwana Supercontinent).Wedemonstrate that a variety of trace elements,including most of the lanthanides,chalcophile,lithophile,and siderophile elements,can be predicted with excellent accuracy.This finding reveals that there are reliable,high-dimensional elemental associations that can be used to predict trace elements in a range of plutonic and volcanic rocks.Since the major and minor elements are used as predictors,prediction performance can be used as a direct proxy for geochemical anomalies.As such,our proposed method is suitable for prospective exploration by identifying anomalous trace element concentrations.Compared to multivariate compositional data analysis methods,the new method does not rely on assumptions of stoichiometric combinations of elements in the data to discover geochemical anomalies.Because we do not use multivariate compositional data analysis techniques(e.g.principal component analysis and combined use of major,minor and trace elements data),we also show that log-ratio transforms do not increase the performance of the proposed approach and are unnecessary for algorithms that are not spatially aware in the feature space.Therefore,we demonstrate that high-dimensional elemental associations can be modelled in an automated manner through a data-driven approach and without assumptions of stoichiometry within the data.The approach proposed in this study can be used as a replacement method to the multivariate compositional data analysis technique that is used for prospectivity mapping,or be used as a pre-processor to reduce the detection of false geochemical anomalies,particularly where the data is of variable quality.

Towards a fully data-driven prospectivity mapping methodology:A case study of the Southeastern Churchill Province,Québec and Labrador

Mineral exploration campaigns are financially risky.Several state-of-the-art methods have been developed to mitigate the risk,including predictive modelling of mineral prospectivity using principal component analysis(PCA)and geographic information systems(GIS).The PCA and GIS approach is currently considered acceptable for generating mineral exploration targets.However,some of its limitations are the dependence on sample stoichiometry(e.g.,the existence of minerals),the necessity of log-ratio transformations when dealing with compositional data,and manual interpretation and use of principal components to enhance potential geochemical anomalies for prospectivity mapping.In this study,we generalize the fundamental ideas behind the PCA and GIS approach by developing a new data-driven approach using ML.We showcase a new workflow capable of generating either intermediate evidence layers or final prospectivity maps that depict major regional geochemical anomalies using multi-element geochemical data from Southeastern Churchill Province(Qu
ebec and Labrador),Canada.The region is known for its REEs endowment and the data were gathered for prospectivity mapping.A comparison with the established multivariate hybrid data-and knowledge-based approach revealed that on a roughly comparable basis of the amount of manual effort,our new data-driven procedure can much more accurately identify geochemical anomalies in both univariate and multivariate applications.The results of our prospectivity mapping corroborate with the ground truth or known geological anomalies in the studied region.These findings have potentially wider implications on exploration target generation,where project risks(financial,environmental,political,etc.)and geochemical anomalies must be quantified using robust and effective datadriven approaches.In addition,our methodology is more replicable and objective,as manual geoscientific interpretation is not required during the detection of geochemical anomalies.

Manganese potential mapping in western Guangxi-southeastern Yunnan(China) via spatial analysis and modal-adaptive prospectivity modeling

While the region of western Guangxi-southeastern Yunan, China, is known and considered prospective for manganese deposits, carrying out prospectivity mapping in this region is challenging due to the diversity of geological factors, the complexity of geological process and the asymmetry of geo-information. In this work, the manganese potential mapping for further exploration targeting is implemented via spatial analysis and modal-adaptive prospectivity modeling. On the basis of targeting criteria developed by the mineral system approach, the spatial analysis is leveraged to extract the predictor variables to identify features of the geological process. Specifically, a metallogenic field analysis approach is proposed to extract metallogenic information that quantifies the regional impacts of the synsedimentary faults and sedimentary basins. In the integration of the extracted predictor variables, a modal-adaptive prospectivity model is built, which allows to adapt different data availability and geological process. The resulting prospective areas of high potential not only correspond to the areas of known manganese deposits but also provide a number of favorable targets in the region for future mineral exploration.

3D Mineral Prospectivity Mapping Based on Deep Metallogenic Prediction Theory:A Case Study of the Lala Copper Mine,Sichuan,China

With the decrease in surface and shallow ore deposits,mineral exploration has focused on deeply buried ore bodies,and large-scale metallogenic prediction presents new opportunities and challenges.This paper adopts the predictive thinking method in this era of big data combined with specific research on the special exploration and exploitation of deep-earth resources.Four basic theoretical models of large-scale deep mineralization prediction and evaluation are explored:mineral prediction geological model theory,multidisciplinary information correlation theory,mineral regional trend analysis theory,and mineral prediction geological differentiation theory.The main workflow of large-scale deep resource prediction in the digital and information age is summarized,including construction of ore prospecting models of metallogenic systems,multiscale 3 D geological modeling,and 3 D quantitative prediction of deep resources.Taking the Lala copper mine in Sichuan Province as an example,this paper carries out deep 3 D quantitative prediction of mineral resources and makes a positive contribution to the future prediction and evaluation of mineral resources.

A comparative study of fuzzy weights of evidence and random forests for mapping mineral prospectivity for skarn-type Fe deposits in the southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt, China

Recent studies have pointed out that the widespread iron deposits in southwestern Fujian metallogenic belt(SFMB)(China) are skarn-type deposits associated with the Yanshanian granites. There is still excellent potential for mineral exploration because large areas in this belt are covered by forest. A new predictive model for mapping skarn-type Fe deposit prospectivity in this belt was developed and focused on in this study, using five criteria as evidence:(1) the contact zones of Yanshanian granites(GRANITE);(2) the contact zones within the late Paleozoic marine sedimentary rocks and the carbonate formations(FORMATION);(3) the NE-NNE-trending faults(FAULT);(4) the zones of skarn alterations(SKARN); and(5) the aeromagnetic anomaly(AEROMAGNETIC). The fuzzy weights of evidence(FWof E) method, developed from the classical weights of evidence(Wof E) and based on fuzzy sets and fuzzy probabilities, could provide smaller variances and more accurate posterior probabilities and could effectively minimize the uncertainty caused by omitted or wrongly assigned data and be more flexible than the Wof E. It is an efficient and widely used method for mineral potential mapping. Random forests(RF) is a new and useful method for data-driven predictive mapping of mineral prospectivity method, and needs further scrutiny. Both prospectivity results respectively using the FWof E and RF methods reveal that the prediction model for the skarn-type Fe deposits in the SFMB is successful and efficient. Both methods suggested that the GRANITE and FORMATION are the most valuable evidence maps, followed by SKARN, AEROMAGNETIC, and FAULT. This is coincident with the skarn-type Fe deposit mineral model in the SFMB. The unstable performance experienced when FORMATION was omitted might indicate that the highest uncertainty and risk in follow-up exploration is related to the sequences. In addition, the performance of the RF method for the skarn-type Fe deposits prospectivity in the SFMB is better than the FWof E; therefore, it could be used to guide further exploration of skarn-type Fe prospects in the SFMB.

Mineral Prospectivity Prediction via Convolutional Neural Networks Based on Geological Big Data

Today’s era of big data is witnessing a gradual increase in the amount of data,more correlations between data,as well as growth in their spatial dimension.Conventional linear statistical models applied to mineral prospectivity mapping(MPM)perform poorly because of the random and nonlinear nature of metallogenic processes.To overcome this performance degradation,deep learning models have been introduced in 3 D MPM.In this study,taking the Huayuan sedimentary Mn deposit in Hunan Province as an example,we construct a 3 D digital model of this deposit based on the prospectivity model of the study area.In this approach,3 D predictor layers are converted from the conceptual model and employed in a 3 D convolutional neural network(3 D CNN).The characteristics of the spatial distribution are extracted by the 3 D CNN.Subsequently,we divide the 22 extracted ore-controlling variables into six groups for contrast experiments based on various combinations and further apply the 3 D CNN model and weight of evidence(WofE)method on each group.The predictive model is trained on the basis of the coupling correlation between the spatial distributions of the variables and the underground occurrence space of the Mn orebodies,and the correlation between different ore-controlling factors.The analysis of 12 factors indicates that the 3 D CNN model performs well in the 3 D MPM,achieving a promising accuracy of up to 100%and a loss value below 0.001.A comparison shows that the 3 D CNN model outperforms the WofE model in terms of predictive evaluation indexes,namely the success rate and ore-controlling rate.In particular,the 1–12 ore-controlling factors selected in experiment 5 provide a significantly better prediction effect than the other factors.Consequently,we conclude that the Mn deposit in the study area is not only related to the stratum and interlaminar anomalous bodies but also to the spatial distribution of the faults.The experimental results confirm that the proposed 3 D CNN is promising for 3 D MPM as it eliminates the interference factors.

Uncertainty Visualisation of a 3D Geological Geometry Model and Its Application in GIS-Based Mineral Resource Assessment:A Case Study in Huayuan District,Northwestern Hunan Province,China

This paper reports an application of uncertainty visualisation of a regional scale(1:50000)3 D geological geometry model to be involved in GIS-based 3 D mineral potential assessment of the Xiangxibei lead-zinc mineral concentration area in northwestern Hunan District,China.Three-dimensional(3 D)geological modelling is a process of interpretation that combines a set of input measurements in geometry.Today,technology has become a necessary part of GIS-based deep prospecting.However,issues of sparse data and imperfect understanding exist in the process so that there are several uncertainties in 3 D geological modelling.And these uncertainties are inevitably transmitted into the post-processing applications,such as model-based mineral resource assessment.Thus,in this paper,first,a big-data-based method was used to estimate the uncertainty of a 3 D geological model;second,a group of expectations of geological geometry uncertainty were calculated and integrated into ore-bearing stratoisohypse modelling,which is one of the major favourable parameters of assessment for Lead-Zinc(Pb-Zn)deep prospectivity mapping in northwestern Hunan;and finally,prospecting targets were improved.