Geochemical anomaly characteristics and mineral potential mapping in Milashan area of Tibet

The analysis of geochemical anomalies derived from stream sediment geochemical data is a fundamental task in mineral prospecting.In this study, median+2 median absolute deviations(median+2MAD)and concentration-area(C-A)were applied to analyze geochemical anomaly delineation of Cu and Cu+Au+Ag association from factor analysis of stream sediment geochemical data in Milashan area of Tibet.The results show that the C-A fractal method is a favorable means for identifying the anomaly.Cu anomaly provides more information than Cu+Au+Ag associated anomaly.Furthermore, the S-A analysis was used to decompose the Cu element and distinguish the background from anomaly components, which provides a more accurate basis for delineating the anomalous area.Six anomalous areas have been classified into classes A(Qulong and Jiama), B(Dabu, Lakange and Chengba)and C(Puxiong and Jiabuna).Class A anomalous areas containing two largest porphyry copper deposits in the Gangdise belt are characterized by great anomalous intensity and largest anomalous area, and have great potential for periphery prospecting.Class B prospective areas contain three large and medium-sized copper deposits.Particularly, the Chengba anomalous area has similar anomalous intensity to Qulong and Jiama anomalous areas and thus has good prospecting potential.Copper deposits have not been discovered in Class C anomalous areas, but it deserves exploration work for identifying the mineral potential.