Application of the integrated geophysical methods on the Zhalageamu copper-polymetallic deposit, Inner Mongolia,...

The Zhalageamu copper-polymetallic deposit, located on the western slope of the central-southern Greater Khingan Mountains in Inner Mongolia, represents a medium- to large-scale mineral discovery in recent years. Its identification not only addresses a previous gap in copper exploration within this sector of the Greater Khingan western slope but also offers critical insights for targeting medium- to large-scale copper deposits across Inner Mongolia. Previous exploration in the area primarily employed conventional geological mapping and drilling, supported by localized geophysical profiling surveys, which yielded encouraging results and established a robust foundation for further prospecting. This study interprets integrated gravity, magnetic, and electrical data from the Zhalageamu deposit and synthesizes regional geological information to establish a geological-geophysical prospecting model, aiming to facilitate breakthroughs in copper-polymetallic exploration. Key results demonstrate that magnetic and induced polarization (IP) surveys effectively delineate structural boundaries and lithological contacts in the study area. By integrating inversion outcomes, planar anomaly distributions, geological data, and drillhole records, two distinct geological-geophysical prospecting models were developed. The derived prospecting indicators are characterized by low resistivity, high chargeability, transitional zones between high and low magnetic susceptibility, and interfaces of high-low density. The establishment of such an effective model holds significant implications for future exploration targeting deeper extensions and peripheral zones of the deposit.