Weight of Evidence Spatial Quantification of Gold Mineral Systems Components in Southern Part of Kelantan

Abstract

Investigation of the spatial relationships between mineral systems factors and mineralization occurrence is not only significant for modelling ore genesis processes but also helpful in providing mineral exploration guide (potential maps). Despite the gold mining activities in Malaysia Peninsular, no study has applied the mineral systems approach to generate a potential map in the region. And as such, only a little is known about the spatial association of the mineralization with ore controlling factors. In this regard, this remote sensing and GIS-based research, aimed at quantifying the spatial association between the ore formation factors and the mineralization in southern part of Kelantan. The approach had developed a conceptual framework model that linked the mineralization factors (critical element) to their mappable criteria and further linked them to the available datasets. The plausible evidence maps were subsequently quantified by means of the weights of evidence integration method to determine the optimum proximity distance between each of the factors and the mineralization. The spatial quantification revealed that lineaments patterns controlled the gold deposits, and the NE-SW orientation has a stronger correlation with gold mineralization than NW-SE orientation. Hydrothermal alteration zones and igneous rocks distributions also revealed a robust spatial relationship with the deposits. Sedimentary rocks and boundary contacts of rocks types displayed a feeble spatial relationship with the mineralization. The generated map highlighted 68.25% of the total area as favorable zones, and this area has been recommended for further exploration.