Three-dimensional Modeling of Ore-forming Elements and Mineralization Prognosis for the Yechangping Mo Deposit,Henan Province,China

Three-dimensional geochemical modeling of ore-forming elements is crucial for predicting deep mineralization.This approach provides key information for the quantitative prediction of deep mineral localization,three-dimensional fine interpolation,analysis of spatial distribution patterns,and extraction of quantitative mineral-seeking markers.The Yechangping molybdenum(Mo)deposit is a significant and extensive porphyry-skarn deposit in the East Qinling-Dabie Mo polymetallic metallogenic belt at the southern margin of the North China Block.Abundant borehole data on oreforming elements underpin deep geochemical predictions.The methodology includes the following steps:(1)Threedimensional geological modeling of the deposit was established.(2)Correlation,cluster,and factor analyses post delineation of mineralization stages and determination of mineral generation sequence to identify(Cu,Pb,Zn,Ag)and(Mo,W,mfe)assemblages.(3)A three-dimensional geochemical block model was constructed for Mo,W,mfe,Cu,Zn,Pb,and Ag using the ordinary kriging method,and the variational function was developed.(4)Spatial distribution and enrichment characteristics analysis of ore-forming elements are performed to extract geological information,employing the variogram and w(Cu+Pb+Zn+Ag)/w(Mo+W)as predictive indicators.(5)Identifying the western,northwestern,and southwestern areas of the mine with limited mineralization potential,contrasted by the northeastern and southeastern areas favorable for mineral exploration.

Geology and mineralization of the Dongping supergiant alkalic-hosted Au-Te deposit(>100 t Au)in Northern Hebei Province,China:A review

The Dongping deposit is the largest alkalic-hosted gold deposit in China containing>100 t of Au.This paper presents a new understanding for Dongping ore system,based on the previous studies.The mineralization originally occurred at 400-380 Ma,simultaneous with emplacement of the Shuiquangou alkaline complex,and was overprinted by the hydrothermal activity in the Yanshanian.Isotope compositions of ores indicate metals of the deposit are mainly provided by the Shuiquangou complex.Ore-forming fluids are characterized by increasing oxygen fugacity and decreasing sulfur fugacity,while tellurium fugacity increased in the Stage II-2 and decreased in Stage II-3.These systematic changes are closely related to the processes of mineral precipitation and fluid evolution.Sulfide precipitation from Stage Ⅰ to Stage Ⅱ was triggered by fluid boiling,which leads to the precipitation of Pb-Bi-Te,due to decrement of sulfur fugacity.Condensation of gas phase containing high concentration of H_2Te leads to precipitation of Te-Au-Ag minerals and native tellurium.Based on these hypotheses,this paper present a polyphase metallogenic model as follow.During the Devonian,fluids were released from alkaline magmas,which carried ore-forming materials form the surrounding rocks and precipitate the early ores.During the Jurassic-Cretaceous,fluorine-rich fluids exsolved from highly factionated Shangshuiquan granite,which extracted and concentrated Au from the Shuiquangou complex and the Sanggan Group metamorphic rocks,and finally formed the Dongping gold deposit.

Geochemical Anomalies Identified by Multifractal Modeling: Implications for Mineral Exploration in the Ziyoutun Cu-Au District, Jilin Province, China

The Ziyoutun Cu-Au district is located in the Jizhong–Yanbian Metallogenic Belt and possesses excellent prospects. However, the thick regolith and complex tectonic settings present challenges in terms of detecting and decomposition of weak geochemical anomalies. To address this challenge, we initially conducted a comprehensive analysis of 1:10,000-scale soil geochemical data. This analysis included multivariate statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis, R-mode cluster analysis, Q–Q plots and factor analysis. Subsequently, we decomposed the geochemical anomalies, identifying weak anomalies using spectrum-area modeling and local singularity analysis. The results indicate that the assemblage of Au-Cu-Bi-As-Sb represents the mineralization at Ziyoutun. In comparison to conventional methods, spectrumarea modeling and local singularity analysis outperform in terms of identification of anomalies. Ultimately, we considered four specific target areas(AP01, AP02, AP03 and AP04) for future exploration, based on geochemical anomalies and favorable geological factors. Within AP01 and AP02, the geochemical anomalies suggest potential mineralization at depth, whereas in AP03 and AP04 the surface anomalies require additional geological investigation. Consequently, we recommend conducting drilling, following more extensive surface fieldwork, at the first two targets and verifying surface anomalies in the last two targets. We anticipate these findings will significantly enhance future exploration in Ziyoutun.

Numerical modelling of structural controls on fluid flow and mineralization

This paper presents the results of a set of numerical models focussing on structural controls on hydrothermal mineralization. We first give an overview of natural phenomena of structurally-controlled ore formation and the background theory and mechanisms for such controls. We then provide the results of a group of simple 2D numerical models validated through comparison with Cu-vein structure observed near the Shilu Copper deposit （Yangchun, Guangdong Province, China） and finally a case study of 3D numerical modelling applied to the Hodgkinson Province in North Queensland （Australia）. Two modelling approaches, discrete deformation modelling and continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow modelling, are involved. The 2D model-derived patterns are remarkably consistent with the Cu-vein structure from the Shilu Copper deposit, and show that both modelling approaches can realistically simulate the mechanical behaviours of shear and dilatant fractures. The continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow model indicates that pattern of the Cu- veins near the Shilu deposit is the result of shear strain localization, development of dilation and fluid focussing into the dilatant fracture segments. The 3D case-study models （with deformation and fluid flow coupling） on the Hodgkinson Province generated a number of potential gold mineralization

Predicting dynamics of soil organic carbon mineralization with a double exponential model in different forest belts of China

The dynamics of soil organic carbon （SOC） was analyzed by using laboratory incubation and double exponential model that mineralizable SOC was separated into active carbon pools and slow carbon pools in forest soils derived from Changbai and Qilian Mountain areas. By analyzing and fitting the CO2 evolved rates with SOC mineralization, the results showed that active carbon pools accounted tor 1.0% to 8.5% of SOC with an average of mean resistant times （MRTs） for 24 days, and slow carbon pools accounted for 91% to 99% of SOC with an average of MRTs for 179 years. The sizes and MRTs of slow carbon pools showed that SOC in Qilian Mountain sites was more difficult to decompose than that in Changbai Mountain sites. By analyzing the effects of temperature, soil clay content and elevation on SOC mineralization, results indicated that mineralization of SOC was directly related to temperature and that content of accumulated SOC and size of slow carbon pools from Changbai Mountain and Qilian Mountain sites increased linearly with increasing clay content, respectively, which showed temperature and clay content could make greater effect on mineralization of SOC.

Modeling Nitrogen Mineralization in Paddy Soils of Shanghai Region

Six paddy soils of Shanghai, China, were studied after 120 days of anaerobicincubation at 25 deg C and 35 deg C. Four models, the effective accumulated temperature model, theone-component first-order exponential model (the one-pool model), the two-component first-orderexponential model (the two-pool model), and the two-component first-order plus zero-orderexponential model including a constant term (the special model), were fitted to the data of observedmineral-N during incubation using non-linear regression procedures. The two-pool model and thespecial model gave the best fits amongst the four models, and parameters in the special model weremore reasonable than those in the other three. Results showed that the special model gave a betterprediction of nitrogen mineralization under flooded conditions than the other three models.

Geology and mineralization of the Duobaoshan supergiant porphyry Cu-Au-Mo-Ag deposit(2.36 Mt)in Heilongjiang Province,China:A review

The reserves of the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu-Au-Mo-Ag deposit(also referred to as the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu deposit)ranks first among the copper deposits in China and 33rd among the porphyry copper deposits in the world.It has proven resources of copper(Cu),molybdenum(Mo),gold(Au),and silver(Ag)of 2.28×10^(6)t,80×10^(3)t,73 t,and 1046 t,respectively.The major characteristics of the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu deposit are as follows.It is located in a zone sandwiched by the Siberian,North China,and paleo-Pacific plates in an island arc tectonic setting and was formed by the Paleozoic mineralization and the Mesozoic mineralization induced by superposition and transformation.The metallogenic porphyries are the Middle Hercynian granodiorite porphyries.The alterations of surrounding rocks are distributed in a ring form.With silicified porphyries at the center,the alteration zones of K-feldspar,biotite,sericite,and propylite occur from inside to outside.This deposit is composed of 215 ore bodies(including 14 major ore bodies)in four mineralized zones.Ore body No.X in the No.3 mineralized zone has the largest resource reserves,accounting for more than 78%of the total reserves of the deposit.Major ore components include Cu,Mo,Au,Ag,Se,and Ga,which have an average content of 0.46%,0.015%,0.16 g/t,1.22 g/t,0.0003%,and 0.001%-0.003%,respectively.The ore minerals of this deposit primarily include pyrite,chalcopyrite,bornite,and molybdenite,followed by magnetite,hematite,rutile,gelenite,and sphalerite.The ore-forming fluids of this deposit were magmatic water in the early metallogenic stage and then the mixture of meteoric water and magmatic water at the late metallogenic stage.The ore-forming fluids experienced three stages.The ore-forming fluids of stageⅠhad a hydrochemical type of H_(2)O-CO_(2)-Na Cl,an ore-forming temperature of 375-650℃,and ore-forming pressure of 110-160 MPa.The ore-forming fluids of stageⅡhad a hydrochemical type of H_(2)O-CO_(2)-Na Cl,an ore-forming temperature of 310-350℃,and ore-forming pressure of 58-80 MPa.The ore-forming fluids of stageⅢhad a hydrochemical type of Na Cl-H_(2)O,an ore-forming temperature of 210-290℃,and ore-forming pressure of 5-12 MPa.The CuAu-Mo-Ag mineralization mainly occurred at stagesⅠandⅡ,with the ore-forming materials having a mixed crust-mantle source.The Duobaoshan porphyry Cu deposit was formed in the initial subduction environment of the Paleo-Asian Ocean Plate during the Early Ordovician.Then,due to the closure of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean and the subduction and compression of the Paleo-Pacific Ocean,a composite orogenic metallogenic model of the deposit was formed.In other words,it is a porphyry-epithermal copper-gold polymetallic mineralization system of composite orogeny consisting of Paleozoic island arcs and Mesozoic orogeny and extension.

Geology and mineralization of the Daheishan supergiant porphyry molybdenum deposit(1.65 Bt),Jilin,China:A review

The Daheishan supergiant porphyry molybdenum deposit(also referred to as the Daheishan deposit)is the second largest molybdenum deposit in Asia and ranks fifth among the top seven molybdenum deposits globally with total molybdenum reserves of 1.65 billion tons,an average molybdenum ore grade of 0.081%,and molybdenum resources of 1.09 million tons.The main ore body is housed in the granodiorite porphyry plutons and their surrounding inequigranular granodiorite plutons,with high-grade ores largely located in the ore-bearing granodiorite porphyries in the middle-upper part of the porphyry plutons.Specifically,it appears as an ore pipe with a large upper part and a small lower part,measuring about 1700 m in length and width,extending for about 500 m vertically,and covering an area of 2.3 km^(2).Mineralogically,the main ore body consists of molybdenite,chalcopyrite,and sphalerite horizontally from its center outward and exhibits molybdenite,azurite,and pyrite vertically from top to bottom.The primary ore minerals include pyrite and molybdenite,and the secondary ore minerals include sphalerite,chalcopyrite,tetrahedrite,and scheelite,with average grades of molybdenum,copper,sulfur,gallium,and rhenium being 0.081%,0.033%,1.67%,0.001%,and 0.0012%,respectively.The ore-forming fluids of the Daheishan deposit originated as the CO_(2)-H_(2)O-NaCl multiphase magmatic fluid system,rich in CO_(2)and bearing minor amounts of CH4,N2,and H2S,and later mixed with meteoric precipitation.In various mineralization stages,the ore-forming fluids had homogenization temperatures of>420℃‒400℃,360℃‒350℃,340℃‒230℃,220℃‒210℃,and 180℃‒160℃and salinities of>41.05%‒9.8%NaCleqv,38.16%‒4.48%NaCleqv,35.78%‒4.49%NaCleqv,7.43%NaCleqv,and 7.8%‒9.5%NaCleqv,respectively.The mineralization of the Daheishan deposit occurred at 186‒167 Ma.The granites closely related to the mineralization include granodiorites(granodiorite porphyries)and monzogranites(monzogranite porphyries),which were mineralized after magmatic evolution(189‒167 Ma).Moreover,these mineralization-related granites exhibit low initial strontium content and high initial neodymium content,indicating that these granites underwent crust-mantle mixing.The Daheishan deposit formed during the Early-Middle Jurassic,during which basaltic magma underplating induced the lower-crust melting,leading to the formation of magma chambers.After the fractional crystallization of magmas,ore-bearing fluids formed.As the temperature and pressure decreased,the ore-bearing fluids boiled drops while ascending,leading to massive unloading of metal elements.Consequently,brecciated and veinlet-disseminated ore bodies formed.

Multi-scale data joint inversion of minerals and porosity in altered igneous reservoirs—A case study in the South China Sea

There are abundant igneous gas reservoirs in the South China Sea with significant value of research,and lithology classification,mineral analysis and porosity inversion are important links in reservoir evaluation.However,affected by the diverse lithology,complicated mineral and widespread alteration,conventional logging lithology classification and mineral inversion become considerably difficult.At the same time,owing to the limitation of the wireline log response equation,the quantity and accuracy of minerals can hardly meet the exploration requirements of igneous formations.To overcome those issues,this study takes the South China Sea as an example,and combines multi-scale data such as micro rock slices,petrophysical experiments,wireline log and element cutting log to establish a set of joint inversion methods for minerals and porosity of altered igneous rocks.Specifically,we define the lithology and mineral characteristics through core slices and mineral data,and establish an igneous multi-mineral volumetric model.Then we determine element cutting log correction method based on core element data,and combine wireline log and corrected element cutting log to perform the lithology classification and joint inversion of minerals and porosity.However,it is always difficult to determine the elemental eigenvalues of different minerals in inversion.This paper uses multiple linear regression methods to solve this problem.Finally,an integrated inversion technique for altered igneous formations was developed.The results show that the corrected element cutting log are in good agreement with the core element data,and the mineral and porosity results obtained from the joint inversion based on the wireline log and corrected element cutting log are also in good agreement with the core data from X-ray diffraction.The results demonstrate that the inversion technique is applicable and this study provides a new direction for the mineral inversion research of altered igneous formations.

The Relationship between Fe Mineralization and Magnetic Basement Faults using Multifractal Modeling in the Esfordi and Behabad Areas(BMD), Central Iran

Multifractal modeling is a mathematical method for the separation of a high potential mineralized background from a non-mineralized background. The Concentration-Distance to Fault structures(C-DF) fractal model and the distribution of the known iron(Fe) deposits/mines seen in the Esfordi and Behabad 1:100,000 sheets from the Bafq region of central Iran are used to distinguish Fe mineralization based on their distance to magnetic basement structures and surface faults, separately, using airborne geophysical data and field surveys. Application of the C-DF fractal model for the classification of Fe mineralizations in the Esfordi and Behabad areas reveals that the main ones show a correlation with their distance from magnetic basement structures. Accordingly, the distances of Fe mineralizations with grades of Fe higher than 55%(43% < Fe ≤ 60%) are located at a distance of less than 1 km, whereas for surfacial faults with grades of 43% ≤ Fe ≤ 60%, the distances are 3162< DF ≤ 4365 m from the faults. Thus, there is a positive relationship between Fe mineralization and magnetic basement structures. Also, the proximity evidence of Precambrian high-grade Fe mineralization related to magnetic basement structures indicates syn-rifting tectonic events. Finally, this C-DF fractal model can be used for exploration of magmatic and hydrothermal ore deposits.

2.5D Crustal Models Derived from Analytical Polynomial Separation Technique and Spectral Analysis of Gravity Data with Their Probable Gold Mineralization Migrations (Batouri, SE-Cameroon)

Geophysical surveying is crucial in the investigation of mineral resources in poorly exposed areas such as SE-Cameroon, a region known for its gold mineral potential. In this paper, gravity survey is carried out in the Batouri area, SE-Cameroon based on land gravity data from the Centre-south Cameroon. Therefore, an analytical polynomial separation program, based on least-square fitting of a third-degree polynomial surface to the Bouguer anomaly map, was used to separate the regional/residual components in gravity data. This technique permitted to better understand the disposition of the deep and near surface structures responsible of the observed anomalies in the Batouri area. Spectral analysis and 2.5D modelling of two profiles P1 (SW-NE) and P2 (N-S) selected from the residual anomaly map provided depths to basement. These depths constrain the gravity models along the profiles, indicating a variable thickness of the sedimentary infill with an approximate anomaly of -33 mGal. The 2.5D model of the basement shows a gravity body, with a signature suggesting two close and similar masses, which characterize the quartz-bearing formations associated here to granite and gneiss. Our work highlights a main heavy gravity: Gwé-Batouri anomaly, containing the major part of auriferous deposits located along the NE-SW direction. Further, three tectonic sub-basins bounded by normal faults have been highlighted at Guedal, Gwé, and Bélimban, in the south of Guedal-Bélimban depression. They are associated with the extension tectonics, more or less vertical tangential cuts and accidents that have affected the region. A correlation with previous results from tectonic, lithological and gold mineralization activities proves the relevance of the study and the need to intensify geophysical surveying in the area.

GEOTHERMAL FLUID MINERALIZATION──A NEW HYDROTHERMAL MINERALIZATION MODEL

In hydrothermal mineralization regime, there should be some other models besideS the commonly accepted traditional magmatic and metamorphic hydrothermal ones. The authors suggest a new model named as geothermal nuid mineralization and believe it is an important and distinguishable hydrotherma1 mineralization model. The discussions are focused on several aspects of the new model in its distinguishing features in essential factors of hydrothermal mineralization, essential metallogenic conditions, common metallogenic characteristics, general mineralization process,geotectonic control and metallogenic importance.

Evaluation of volcanic reservoirs with the "QAPM mineral model" using a genetic algorithm

Gas-bearing volcanic reservoirs have been found in the deep Songliao Basin, China. Choosing proper interpretation parameters for log evaluation is difficult due to complicated mineral compositions and variable mineral contents. Based on the QAPF classification scheme given by IUGS, we propose a method to determine the mineral contents of volcanic rocks using log data and a genetic algorithm. According to the QAPF scheme, minerals in volcanic rocks are divided into five groups： Q（quartz）, A （Alkaline feldspar）, P （plagioclase）, M （mafic） and F （feldspathoid）. We propose a model called QAPM including porosity for the volumetric analysis of reservoirs. The log response equations for density, apparent neutron porosity, transit time, gamma ray and volume photoelectrical cross section index were first established with the mineral parameters obtained from the Schlumberger handbook of log mineral parameters. Then the volumes of the four minerals in the matrix were calculated using the genetic algorithm （GA）. The calculated porosity, based on the interpretation parameters, can be compared with core porosity, and the rock names given in the paper based on QAPF classification according to the four mineral contents are compatible with those from the chemical analysis of the core samples.

AVO forwarding modeling in two-phase media: multiconstrained matrix mineral modulus inversion

AVO forward modeling is based on two-phase medium theory and is considered an effective method for describing reservoir rocks and fluids. However, the method depends on the input matrix mineral bulk modulus and the rationality of the two-phase medium model. We used the matrix mineral bulk modulus inversion method and multiple constraints to obtain a two-phase medium model with physical meaning. The proposed method guarantees the reliability of the obtained AVO characteristicsin two-phase media. By the comparative analysis of different lithology of the core sample, the advantages and accuracy of the inversion method can be illustrated. Also, the inversion method can be applied in LH area, and the AVO characteristics can be obtained when the porosity, fluid saturation, and other important lithology parameters are changed. In particular, the reflection coefficient amplitude difference between the fast P wave and S wave as a function of porosity at the same incidence angle, and the difference in the incidence angle threshold can be used to decipher porosity.

An overview of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization

Fluid flow is an integral part of hydrothermal mineralization, and its analysis and characterization constitute an important part of a mineralization model. The hydrodynamic study of mineralization deals with analyzing the driving forces, fluid pressure regimes, fluid flow rate and direction, and their relationships with localization of mineralization. This paper reviews the principles and methods of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization, and discusses their significance and limitations for ore deposit studies and mineral exploration. The driving forces of fluid flow may be related to fluid overpressure, topographic relief, tectonic deformation, and fluid density change due to heating or salinity variation, depending on specific geologic environments and mineralization processes. The study methods may be classified into three types, megascopic （field） observations, microscopic analyses, and numerical modeling. Megascopic features indicative of significantly overpressured （especially lithostatic or supralithostatic） fluid systems include horizontal veins, sand injection dikes, and hydraulic breccias. Microscopic studies, especially microthermometry of fluid inclusions and combined stress analysis and microthermometry of fluid inclusion planes （FIPs） can provide important information about fluid temperature, pressure, and fluid-structural relationships, thus constraining fluid flow models. Numerical modeling can be carried out to solve partial differential equations governing fluid flow, heat transfer, rock deformation and chemical reactions, in order to simulate the distribution of fluid pressure, temperature, fluid flow rate and direction, and mineral precipitation or dissolution in 2D or 3D space and through time. The results of hydrodynamic studies of mineralization can enhance our understanding of the formation nrocesses of hvdrothermal denosits, and can be used directly or indirectly in mineral exnloration.

Application of 3-D Geoscience Modeling Technology for the Estimation of Solid Mineral Reserves

Applying new approaches, methods, and technologies for the estimation of reserves can effectively improve the efficiency and accuracy of assessments of solid mineral resources. After analyzing the development of 3-D geoscience modeling technology （3-D GMT）, this paper discusses the application of 3-D GMT for the estimation of solid mineral reserves, emphatically introducing its workflow and two key technologies, 3-D orebody surface modeling, and property modeling. Moreover, the paper analyzes the limitations of traditional methods, such as the section method and geological block method, and points out the advantages of 3-D GMT： building more accurate 3-D orebody models, expressing the internal inhomogeneous attributes of an orebody, reducing the potential for errors in the estimation of reserves, and implementing dynamic estimations of reserves.

Fractal and Multifractal Modeling of Hydrothermal Mineral Deposit Spectrum: Application to Gold Deposits in Abitibi Area, Ontario, Canada

A number of fractal/multifractal methods are introduced for quantifying the mineral deposit spectrum which include a number-size model, grade-tonnage model, power spectrum model, multifractal model and an eigenvalue spectrum model. The first two models characterize mineral deposits spectra based on relationships among the measures of mineral deposits. These include the number of deposits, size of deposits, concentration and volume of mineral deposits. The last three methods that deal with the spatial-temporal spectra of mineral deposit studies are all expected to be popularized in near future. A case study of hydrothermal gold deposits from the Abitibi area, a world-class mineral district, is used to demonstrate the principle as well as the applications of methods proposed in this paper. It has been shown that fractal and multifractal models are generally applicable to modeling of mineral deposits and occurrences. Clusters of mineral deposits were identified by several methods including the power spectral analysis, singularity analysis and the eigenvalue analysis. These clusters contain most of the known mineral deposits in the Timmins and Kirkland Lake camps.

Dynamic Analysis of the Seafloor Pilot Miner Based on Single-Body Vehicle Model and Discretized Track-Terrain Interaction Model

In order to achieve the complex dynamic analysis of the self-propelled seafloor pilot miner moving on the seafloor of extremely cohesive soft soil and further to make it possible to integrate the miner system with some subsystems to form the complete integrated deep ocean mining pilot system and perform dynamic analysis, a new method for the dynamic modeling and analysis of the miner is proposed and developed in this paper, resulting in a simplified 3D single-body vehicle model with three translational and three rotational degrees of freedom, while the track-terrain interaction model is built by partitioning the track-terrain interface into discrete elements with parameterized force dements built on the theory of terramechanics acting on each discrete dement. To evaluate and verify the correctness and effectiveness of this new modeling and analysis method, typical comparative studies with regard to computational efficiency and solution accuracy are carried out between the traditional modeling method of building the tracked vehicle as a multi-body model and the new modeling method. In full consideration of the particMar structure design of the pilot miner, the special characteristics of the seafioor soil and the hydrodynamic force of near-seafloor currnt, the dynamic simulation analysis of the miner is performed and discussed, which can provide useful guidance and reference for the practical miner system in design and operation. This new method can not only realize the rapid dynamic simulation analysis of the miner but also make possible the integration and rapid dynamic analysis of the complete integrated deep ocean mining pilot system in further researches.

Incorporating conceptual and interpretation uncertainty to mineral prospectivity modelling

Prospectivity analyses are used to reduce the exploration search space for locating areas prospective for mineral deposits.The scale of a study and the type of mineral system associated with the deposit control the evidence layers used as proxies that represent critical ore genesis processes.In particular,knowledge-driven approaches(fuzzy logic)use a conceptual mineral systems model from which data proxies represent the critical components.These typically vary based on the scale of study and the type of mineral system being predicted.Prospectivity analyses utilising interpreted data to represent proxies for a mineral system model inherit the subjectivity of the interpretations and the uncertainties of the evidence layers used in the model.In the case study presented,the prospectivity for remobilised nickel sulphide(NiS)in the west Kimberley,Western Australia,is assessed with two novel techniques that objectively grade interpretations and accommodate alternative mineralisation scenarios.Exploration targets are then identified and supplied with a robustness assessment that reflects the variability of prospectivity value for each location when all models are considered.The first technique grades the strength of structural interpretations on an individual line-segment basis.Gradings are obtained from an objective measure of feature evidence,which is the quantification of specific patterns in geophysical data that are considered to reveal underlying structure.Individual structures are weighted in the prospectivity model with grading values correlated to their feature evidence.This technique allows interpreted features to contribute prospectivity proportional to their strength in feature evidence and indicates the level of associated stochastic uncertainty.The second technique aims to embrace the systemic uncertainty of modelling complex mineral systems.In this approach,multiple prospectivity maps are each generated with different combinations of confidence values applied to evidence layers to represent the diversity of processes potentially leading to ore deposition.With a suite of prospectivity maps,the most robust exploration targets are the locations with the highest prospectivity values showing the smallest range amongst the model suite.This new technique offers an approach that reveals to the modeller a range of alternative mineralisation scenarios while employing a sensible mineral systems model,robust modelling of prospectivity and significantly reducing the exploration search space for Ni.