Hybrid Fuzzy-Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Model for Porphyry Copper Prospecting in Simorgh Area, Eastern Lut Block of Iran

Abstract

The eastern Lut block of Iran has a high potential for porphyry copper mineralization due to the subduction tectonic regime. It is located in an inaccessible region and has harsh arid conditions for traditional mineral exploration campaigns. The objective of this study is to use Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing data for porphyry copper exploration in Simorgh Area, eastern Lut block of Iran. Hydrothermal alteration zones such as argillic, phyllic and propylitic zones associated with porphyry copper systems in the study were identified using false color composition (FCC), band ratio (BR), principal component analysis (PCA) and minimal noise fraction (MNF). The thematic alteration layers extracted from FCC, BR, PCA and MNF were integrated using hybrid Fuzzy-AHP model to generate a porphyry copper potential map for the study area. Four high potential zones were identified in the central, western, eastern and northeastern of the study area. Fieldwork was used to validate the approach used in this study. This investigation exhibits that the use of hybrid Fuzzy-AHP model for the identification of hydrothermal alteration zones associated with porphyry copper systems that is typically applicable to ASTER data and can be used for porphyry copper potential mapping in many analogous metallogenic provinces.