Application of a fuzzy inference system to mapping prospectivity for the Chahfiroozeh copper deposit, Kerman, Iran

Abstract

Mineral Potential Mapping (MPM) is usually regarded as a complex procedure. In modelling such a procedure, aspects such as the multiplicity of factors, fuzziness in the qualitative and quantitative data, and diverse experts' viewpoints need to be considered. To respond to these requirements, in this research, a methodology is proposed on the basis of the Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) and relations. The method is tested on the data of the Chah Firoozeh prospect, Kerman, Iran, to map the porphyry copper prospectivity. In the first stage, level-one factor maps are weighted using asymmetric fuzzy relation analysis and are combined using multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The results are the level-two factor maps. In the next stage, these factor maps are integrated using a FIS to generate mineral potential maps. The final mineral potential map was evaluated using exploratory boreholes. The results indicate that the most prospective areas for porphyry copper mineralisation in Chah Firoozeh are located in the centre of the study area with a north-south trend. A high compliance rate (83.33%) indicates the usefulness of combining FIS, as a knowledge-driven method, and asymmetric fuzzy relation analysis and multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, as a data-driven method, for generating porphyry copper mineral potential maps.

Keywords::

• mineral potential mapping
• GIS
• fuzzy inference system
• asymmetric fuzzy relation analysis
• multilevel fuzzy comprehensive evaluation

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge Reza Esfehani pour, Haj mola ali and Ali Almasi at NICI for all their help and critical discussions on this study. The authors are grateful for constructive comments from anonymous reviews and the Editor.

Notes

^1. Kan Iran Co., Pars Asia Co. and Pars Olang Co., NICI, Exploration and Engineering Development Division.