Delineating hydrothermal stockwork copper deposits using controlled-source and radio-magnetotelluric methods: A case study from northeast Iran

Abstract

Radio- and controlled-source-tensor magnetotelluric (RMT and CSTMT) methods are used to target hydrothermal veins of copper mineralization. The data were acquired along six east-west- and three north-south-trending profiles, covering an area of about [Formula: see text]. The tensor RMT data were collected in the [Formula: see text] frequency band. A double horizontal magnetic dipole transmitter in the [Formula: see text] frequency range allowed us to constrain the deeper parts of the resistivity models better. To obtain optimum field parameters, ground magnetic profiling was conducted prior to the RMT and CSTMT surveys. Although the study area (in Iran) is remote, a number of radio transmitters with acceptable signal-to-noise ratio were utilized. The 2D inversion of RMT data led to unstable resistivity models with large datamisfits. Thus, the RMT data were used to complement and analyze the near-surface resistivity anomalies observed in the 2D CSTMT models. Analyses of strike and dimensionality from the CSTMT data suggests that the low-resistivity structures are mainly three dimensional; therefore, 2D inversion of determinant data is chosen. Independent 2D inversion models of the determinant CSTMT data along crossing profiles are in good agreement. Known copper mineralization is imaged well in the CSTMT models. The thinning of the conductive overburden correlates very well with magnetic highs, indicating the bedrock is resistive and magnetic. In this sense, the magnetic and electromagnetic fields complement each other. Analysis of the 2D resistivity models indicates the volcanic rock deepens at the center of the study area. This zone is associated with a magnetic low and therefore is recommended for detailed exploration work.