tailieunhanh - Combining AHP with GIS for Predictive Cu Porphyry Potential Mapping: A Case Study in Ahar Area (NW, Iran)

Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method for multi-index evaluation has special advantages, while the use of geographic information systems (GIS) is suitable for spatial analysis. Combining AHP with GIS provides an effective approach for studies of mineral potential mapping evaluation. Selection of potential areas for exploration is a complex process in which many diverse criteria are to be considered. In this article, AHP and GIS are used for providing potential maps for Cu porphyry mineralization on the basis of criteria derived from geologic, geochemical, and geophysical, and remote sensing data including alteration and faults. Each criterion was evaluated with the aid of AHP and the result mapped. | Natural Resources Research Vol. 20 No. 4 December 2011 2011 DOI s11053-011-9149-x Combining AHP with GIS for Predictive Cu Porphyry Potential Mapping A Case Study in Ahar Area NW Iran Kaveh Pazand 1 4 Ardeshir Hezarkhani 2 Mohammad Ataei 3 and Yousef Ghanbari1 Received 13 June 2011 accepted 17 August 2011 Published online 16 September 2011 Using the analytic hierarchy process AHP method for multi-index evaluation has special advantages while the use of geographic information systems GIS is suitable for spatial analysis. Combining AHP with GIS provides an effective approach for studies of mineral potential mapping evaluation. Selection of potential areas for exploration is a complex process in which many diverse criteria are to be considered. In this article AHP and GIS are used for providing potential maps for Cu porphyry mineralization on the basis of criteria derived from geologic geochemical and geophysical and remote sensing data including alteration and faults. Each criterion was evaluated with the aid of AHP and the result mapped by GIS. This approach allows the use of a mixture of quantitative and qualitative information for decision-making. The results of application in this article provide acceptable outcomes for copper porphyry exploration. KEY WORDS Mineral potential mapping AHP Cu porphyry Ahar. INTRODUCTION Geographic information systems GIS technology has shown growing application in many areas of knowledge but especially in the mineral exploration. Mineral exploration involves the collection analysis and integration of data from different surveys. Mineral exploration generally starts on a small scale large areas and then progresses to a larger scale small areas to define targets for more detailed investigations Quadros et al. 2006 . Before the construction of a predictive model which can be defined as representing the favorability or probability of occurrence of a mineral deposit of the type style sought a schematic 1Department of Mining .