Coleen Carranza 26469

May 24, 2012

AES MSc

Module 11 Critical Reading Assignment

Paper Reviewed:
Carranza, E. J. M. (2009). Controls on mineral deposit occurrence inferred from analysis of their spatial pattern and
spatial association with geological features. Ore Geology Reviews, 35(3-4), 383400.
doi:10.1016/j.oregeorev.2009.01.001

1. Why was this research done?

The primary objective of the research was to define a conceptual model of the geologic controls of Low Sulfidation
Epithermal Gold (LSEG) mineralization in the Aroroy area at a district scale (1:25000). This was further extended into
defining prospective areas for LSEG mineralization based on the conceptual model of the geologic controls.
2. What is the novelty (if any) claimed by this paper?
The author claims that there hasnt been any published work that applied point pattern analysis in conjunction with
Fractal methods and Fry analysis for investigating the spatial pattern of mineral occurrences in a certain study area. He
has cited previous works which have utilized Fractal analysis or Fry analysis but not all of them altogether.
3. What methods do the authors use to address the problem?
Used Spatial pattern analysis for determining geologic controls on LSEG mineralization in Aroroy.
Specifically, he used:
Point pattern analysis (using measure of dispersion and arrangement),
Fractal analysis (using ,
Fry analysis were used and afterwards points are plotted in a rose diagram
Used methods for spatial association for prospectivity mapping of other areas that are favorable for LSEG
mineralization in Aroroy
Specifically he used:
Distance distribution was used for exploratory analysis and ranking of relative importance of the geologic
features
Evidential Belief functions for creation of predictive maps
4. What is the result of applying these methods?
Spatial pattern analysis:
Point pattern Analysis for the measure of dispersion and measure of arrangement, the results showed that
the LSEG mineral deposits in the area show a regular spatial pattern.
Fractals based on the n() relation and radial density, results showed that the points are non-random and
the deterministic component is fractal. Furthermore, the results also that there at least two scales at which the
geologic processes controlling the LSEG mineralization operated. One operated at a scale of at most 2.5km and
the other at a scale of at least 2.5km
Fry analysis - the results showed that there are prominent 150180 (or 330360) trends suggesting structural
controls by NNW-trending faults/fracture corridors. Subsidiary NW-trending faults also act geologic controls at
the prospect scale.
Spatial association analysis:
Distance distribution method for:
A). Faults/fractures: positive spatial association with NNW-trending faults/fractures with 50% higher
occurrence of LSEG than would be expected by chance; also a positive spatial association with NW-trending
faults/fractures with a 35% higher occurrence of LSEG than would be expected by chance.; positive spatial
association with the intersections of NNW- and NW-trending faults with 45% higher occurrence of LSEG than
would be expected by chance no significant positive association with the NE-trending fault/fractures.

B). Andesite Porphyry: do not exhibit statistically significant positive spatial association with LSEG deposits
Ranking of geologic features with positive spatial association based on the ratio of the D(M) and D(N) at the
optimal distance value:
Highest rank is the intersection of NNW-NW fault/fractures, next is the NNW-trending faults/fractures, last is
the NW-trending faults/fractures

Evidential belief function:

Integration of the three predictor maps for the faults/fractures with multi element geochemical anomaly to
derive an LSEG favorability map was done using EBF. The multi element geochemical anomalies were
combined using PC analysis and the PC4 with high loadings in As and Ni was chosen to reflect areas of LSEG
mineralization.
Derived favorability maps signifying spatial evidence for hydrothermal circulation and finally a map for spatial
evidence for LSEG mineralization. A better fitting and prediction rate cure was generated from the integrated
geological and geochemical favorability map than the geological favorability map alone. The former can
account for 90% of the LSEG deposits within 25% of the area in Aroroy while the latter accounts for the same
proportion of LSEG in 50% of the area.

5. What conclusions do the authors draw from their results?

From the results of the three spatial pattern analysis uses showed that the LSEG occurrences in the area have a nonrandom pattern. Results from each of the analysis showed at which scale the controls operated (e.g. at district and
prospect scales). Complementary and supplementary results were derived from the three spatial pattern analyses. It
showed that geologic controls operated at district and prospect scales. At the district scale, the occurrence of LSEG is
regular non-random with NNW-trending structures controlling its occurrence. At the prospect scale, the LSEG deposits
assume the same non-random pattern with the NNW-trending faults/fractures as the primary geologic control while
the NW-trending faults/fractures occur only secondary.
6. According to the authors, what should be the follow-up to this research?
The author mentioned that the conceptual model for the LSEG deposits should be improved when there is more
available data. In particular, subsurface data will be very useful information which should be incorporated to revise the
conceptual model generated.

SWOT Analysis
Strengths
By combining several methods for the spatial pattern analysis, the interpretation of the results for the structural
controls for the LSEG deposits had a more solid or stronger basis compared to the result of any single method. The
results of each of the analysis were also related to the others and interpretations were formulated in a way that it is
consistent with the results of all the three analysis. Although I am not knowledgeable in the methods used, for example
the Fractal analysis, the author was able to provide a good introductory explanation of the methods and why they were
chosen for the research. From the results of the spatial pattern analysis, a conceptual model, which is the fault-fracture
mesh model, was interpreted to be application for the structural control of LSEG in the area. The model was explained
and is consistent with the tectonic setting of the area. Albeit a long paper, the author was able to clearly state each of
the stages undertaken until a conceptual model was achieved. Apart from this, an extended step was undertaken to
determine the prospective areas in Aroroy using the conceptual model generated in the first part of the paper. Lastly,
the assumptions were clearly stated (e.g. mineral deposits are not randomly oriented) and the limitations of the study
was presented at the end of the paper.

Weaknesses
Although the methods used on the paper were provided reasonable results for generating conceptual model of the
controls, the data sets used in the research were mostly structural data. It would be better if lithological data was also
incorporated in the analysis and also in the interpretation of the results. I can see that the author focused on structural
controls because, in an epithermal system, these faults/fractures act pathways for the transport of fluids to nearsurface. But the other important ingredients for the formation of mineral deposits, in general, should also be included

(i.e. heat source and host rocks). In addition, as what is stated in the discussion of the geology of the area, the evolution
of these faults is still poorly understood. Although it was mentioned that the NNW trending fault sets were are
generally of a strike slip type, it was not explicitly stated if all of them are have the same orientation (i.e. left lateral
strike slip or right lateral strike slip). This is important because not all en echelon strike slip type of faults will lead to
formation of extensional areas favorable for hydrothermal fluid flow. Also, as what is more often the case, faults are
rarely of pure dip slip (i.e. normal or reverse) or strike skip nature. More often the not, they have both vertical and
horizontal displacements. For the paper, it was generally assumed that these faults are of extensional type based from
the inference that they are genetically associated with the left-lateral Sibuyan Sea fault.

Opportunities
Because of the increasing amount of GIS users and softwares, mineral explorationists can easily apply the methods used
in any GI softwares. In addition, the demand for gold usually does not go down which means exploration for deposits
will continue on.

Threats
Other similar statistical techniques, especially for the predictive modeling might be used such as Weights of Evidence
(WoE) instead of the EBF. In addition, different tectonic setting in which Gold deposits form may not be similar to that
in Aroroy area.