Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics

The evolution of metamorphic core complexes is closely related to gold formation. Due to the thick cover and orebodies’ lying depth, exploration regularities, and metallogenic prediction have faced challenges. Therefore, new data were obtained through controlled-source audio magnetotelluric (MT) and...

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Main Authors: Zhihe Xu, Bin Shi, Weiqing Fan, Weidong Li, Xuguang Wei, Guangxiang Li, Naichen Wang, Zhongjie Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2024-10-01
Series:Open Geosciences
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0686
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author Zhihe Xu
Bin Shi
Weiqing Fan
Weidong Li
Xuguang Wei
Guangxiang Li
Naichen Wang
Zhongjie Yang
author_facet Zhihe Xu
Bin Shi
Weiqing Fan
Weidong Li
Xuguang Wei
Guangxiang Li
Naichen Wang
Zhongjie Yang
author_sort Zhihe Xu
collection DOAJ
description The evolution of metamorphic core complexes is closely related to gold formation. Due to the thick cover and orebodies’ lying depth, exploration regularities, and metallogenic prediction have faced challenges. Therefore, new data were obtained through controlled-source audio magnetotelluric (MT) and broadband MT methods to predict the ore-bearing properties at depth and decipher the spatial coupling relationship, respectively. The results of broadband MT surveys allow us to identify the thick cover (apparent resistivity of 3,000 Ω m), the strongly deformed metamorphic rock (apparent resistivity of 18,000 Ω m), and two low-angle detachment faults (apparent resistivity from 5,000 to 8,000 Ω m). The fault-dip value on the left side is roughly 30°, while on the other side, the values significantly change from 30° to 75°, although they are in the same structure. Moreover, the controllable source audio MT method provides more detailed examinations of the right side fault. The proved ore-bearing gold orebodies were all located in the transition zone where the inclination angle changes from steep to gentle or gentle to steep. The discovery of this mineralization pattern allows us to evaluate the mining prospecting potential and predict the deep-seated metallogenic location. Based on the geotectonic environment and the geophysical profiles, we conclude that the coeval exhumation of the metamorphic core complex with non-symmetrical northwest-southeast shear senses may have resulted from a decratonization event during the retreat of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.
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spelling doaj-art-643e8b63f3a24bfab2c97d4251159fad2025-08-20T01:53:30ZengDe GruyterOpen Geosciences2391-54472024-10-0116112710.1515/geo-2022-0686Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagneticsZhihe Xu0Bin Shi1Weiqing Fan2Weidong Li3Xuguang Wei4Guangxiang Li5Naichen Wang6Zhongjie Yang7College of Earth Sciences, Institute of Disaster Prevention, Sanhe city, 065201, ChinaMudanjiang Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center of China, Geological Survey, Mudanjiang, ChinaCollege of Earth Sciences, Institute of Disaster Prevention, Sanhe city, 065201, ChinaElectromagnetic Department, Jilin Exploration Geophysics Institute, Changchun, 130012, ChinaElectromagnetic Department, Jilin Exploration Geophysics Institute, Changchun, 130012, ChinaElectromagnetic Department, Jilin Exploration Geophysics Institute, Changchun, 130012, ChinaElectromagnetic Department, Jilin Exploration Geophysics Institute, Changchun, 130012, ChinaMudanjiang Natural Resources Comprehensive Survey Center of China, Geological Survey, Mudanjiang, ChinaThe evolution of metamorphic core complexes is closely related to gold formation. Due to the thick cover and orebodies’ lying depth, exploration regularities, and metallogenic prediction have faced challenges. Therefore, new data were obtained through controlled-source audio magnetotelluric (MT) and broadband MT methods to predict the ore-bearing properties at depth and decipher the spatial coupling relationship, respectively. The results of broadband MT surveys allow us to identify the thick cover (apparent resistivity of 3,000 Ω m), the strongly deformed metamorphic rock (apparent resistivity of 18,000 Ω m), and two low-angle detachment faults (apparent resistivity from 5,000 to 8,000 Ω m). The fault-dip value on the left side is roughly 30°, while on the other side, the values significantly change from 30° to 75°, although they are in the same structure. Moreover, the controllable source audio MT method provides more detailed examinations of the right side fault. The proved ore-bearing gold orebodies were all located in the transition zone where the inclination angle changes from steep to gentle or gentle to steep. The discovery of this mineralization pattern allows us to evaluate the mining prospecting potential and predict the deep-seated metallogenic location. Based on the geotectonic environment and the geophysical profiles, we conclude that the coeval exhumation of the metamorphic core complex with non-symmetrical northwest-southeast shear senses may have resulted from a decratonization event during the retreat of the Paleo-Pacific Plate.https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0686north china cratonmetamorphic core complexductile shear zonegold depositgeophysical method
spellingShingle Zhihe Xu
Bin Shi
Weiqing Fan
Weidong Li
Xuguang Wei
Guangxiang Li
Naichen Wang
Zhongjie Yang
Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
Open Geosciences
north china craton
metamorphic core complex
ductile shear zone
gold deposit
geophysical method
title Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
title_full Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
title_fullStr Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
title_full_unstemmed Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
title_short Spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits: Constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
title_sort spatial coupling relationship between metamorphic core complex and gold deposits constraints from geophysical electromagnetics
topic north china craton
metamorphic core complex
ductile shear zone
gold deposit
geophysical method
url https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0686
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