Prospectivity maps for polymetallic skarn and orogenic gold mineralizationin the Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain, Borborema Province (NE Brazil): An aidto exploration targeting

Journal of the Geological Survey of Brazil

Endereço:
SBN Quadra 2 Bloco H - 1° andar - Asa Norte
Brasília / DF
70040-904
Site: https://jgsb.sgb.gov.br/index.php/journal/index
Telefone: (61) 2108-8400
ISSN: 2595-1939
Editor Chefe: Evandro Luiz Klein
Início Publicação: 15/05/2018
Periodicidade: Quadrimestral
Área de Estudo: Multidisciplinar, Área de Estudo: Multidisciplinar

Prospectivity maps for polymetallic skarn and orogenic gold mineralizationin the Rio Piranhas-Seridó Domain, Borborema Province (NE Brazil): An aidto exploration targeting

Ano: 2026 | Volume: 9 | Número: 1
Autores: A. P. Costa, R. Cavalcante, N. R. R. Domingos, R. E. Meloni, E. D. Marques, G. F. Silva, M. A. L. Nascimento, P. I. F. Toledo, H. C. F. Camara
Autor Correspondente: A. P. Costa | [email protected]

Palavras-chave: Seridó mineral province, polymetallic skarn, orogenic gold, prospectivity mapping, mineral systems

Resumos Cadastrados

Resumo Inglês:

In this study, predictive mineral prospectivity modelling (MPM) was applied to the Bodó, Serra da Umburana, Currais Novos–Santa Luzia, and Caicó–São Fernando–Jucurutu areas of the Seridó Mineral Province, Borborema Province, Northeast Brazil. The MPM was designed to target tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), gold (Au), and copper (Cu) mineralization associated with structurally control-led polymetallic skarn and orogenic gold deposits. The predictive models were developed through the integration of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data using the Multiclass Index Overlay (MIO) methodology. Thematic maps with different prospectivity ranges were generated and validated through cumulative curves relating predictive indices to the spatial distribution of the known mineral occurren-ces. The results demonstrated high model efficiency, with 62% to 88% of the occurrences concentra-ted in areas of high to very high prospectivity, representing 5% to 25% of the total area of each map. The high prospectivity areas include both known mineralized trends as well as areas yet to be in-vestigated. As such, our MPM results not only confirm the potential of the known mining districts but also present new research and exploration frontiers. Geochemical signatures extracted through factor analysis (FA) revealed robust multielement patterns that support the skarn-type mineralization models. Mineralogical and lithogeochemical data from samples of mineralized zones and/or panned concen-trates from prospective targets reinforce the polymetallic nature (W-Mo-Au-Cu) typical of skarn depo-sits in the study areas. Based on the results obtained from the validation of the prospectivity models, it is concluded that the integrated, mineral systems-based approach is effective in guiding mineral ex-ploration in geologically complex terrain. The predictive maps constitute strategic tools that help reduce uncertainty associated with exploration targeting and attract investment to the region, which is timely given the growing global demand for critical metals.