The relationships between magnetic susceptibility and elemental variations for mineralized rocks

• The MS of mineralized brecciola was positively correlated with Zn and Fe.
• Zn, Fe, and Cr are the crucial factors responsible for the variability of MS.
• Pb–Zn mineralization had a considerable influence on rock MS.
• The Itrax Corescanner is a potential tool in mineral exploration.

Investigation of the geophysical and geochemical properties of rocks is essential for successful mineral exploration. In the present study, the Itrax core scanner, a fast and nondestructive instrument at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), was applied to measure the magnetic susceptibility (MS) and elemental variations at specific intervals of two limestone samples collected from the Jinding sediment-hosted Pb–Zn deposit, Yunnan Province (China). Statistical methods, including correlation, cluster, and regression analysis, were used to explore the relationships between rock MS and elemental variations of Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Cr, Si and Ca. The resulting correlation analysis demonstrated that concentrations of Fe and Zn were positively correlated with MS, whereas Pb, Si and Ca concentrations were negatively correlated with MS. The resulting cluster analysis and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis between MS and elements concentrations show that Zn, and Cr are the crucial factors responsible for the variability of MS. These results are probably due to the Fe, Ni, and Cr elements existing in the lattice of sphalerite, which contributes positively to the MS of rocks.