Gravity anomalies as trap sites in prospectivity modelling of the Eastern Gawler Copper-Gold Belt

Abstract

A geoprocessing methodology has been developed to capture potential field anomalies from residual gravity and reduced to pole total magnetic intensity (RTP TMI) datasets. Anomalies captured using this process are converted to GIS polygons and attributed with descriptive statistics of the underlying grids. The polygons are subsequently included as criteria in a GIS analysis to target IOCG-style deposits beneath extensive cover in the Eastern Gawler Craton. The application of gravity anomaly polygons within this study was as potential trap sites, based on the assumption that a localised increase in density manifested as an anomalous gravity response may be associated with mineral accumulation. The characterisation of residual potential field anomalies for use in prospectivity modelling has resulted in the accurate identification of existing deposits of IOCG-style mineralisation and has suggested additional targets warranting further investigation.