Application of fractal and 3D modeling in mineral exploration; a case study of Galle Chah, eastern Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran

2 Mining Group, Atlas Afrooz Shargh Company, Mashhad, Iran

10.22077/jt.2025.8824.1198

Abstract

The study area is located about 135 km northwest of Birjand and 47 km southwest of Sarayan, in South Khorasan Province. Fractal modeling and 3D modeling were used to explore mineral deposits and to determine the volume of open spaces. In fractal modeling, the study area was placed in a 16-cell grid and after measuring the structural elements, the fractal dimension was determined using the box counting method. This modeling indicates that the highest fractal dimension, with a value of 1.7313, is located in the western part of the region; this situation probably indicates intrusive bodies at depth. According to the results of the investigation of the first stress stage in the Jurassic period in the northeast-southwest direction, three-dimensional modeling of faults and mineral veins was carried out up to a depth of 300 meters and the volume of open spaces and the volume filled with mineralizing solutions were obtained. The results of this modeling show that the volume of open spaces filled with mineralizing solutions up to a depth of 300 meters is 194,951 cubic meters; in other words, 0.11 percent of the total open spaces are filled with mineralizing solutions. Therefore, considering the specific gravity of the rocks (3.25 g/cm3), a reserve of about 600 thousand tons is obtained, which is in good agreement with the reserve determined from other exploration methods (about 513,770 tons). Therefore, this method can be used as a low-cost tool for exploration and determination of possible mineral reserves.

Keywords

Journal of Tectonics
Volume 7, Issue 28
January 2024 Article ID:2

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