Application of a density–volume fractal model for rock characterisation of the Kahang porphyry deposit

• Application of a density–volume (D–V) fractal model for rock characterisation.
• Correlation of the D–V with lithological models.
• Comparison between D–V and RQD models.
• Porphyritic quartz diorite unit associated with density >2.7 t/m3 and RQD>70%.

This paper proposes a new approach called Density–Volume (D–V) fractal model to delineate rock characterisation in terms of density and RQD within the Kahang Cu–Mo porphyry deposit, Central Iran. The D–V log–log plot indicates that there are two density populations with a breakpoint at 2.7 t/m3. A correlation between results via the D–V fractal with lithology models was carried out represent that the main lithology unit which is porphyritic quartz diorite (PQD) is associated with density ≥ 2.7 t/m3, which also has a strong correlation with RQD>70%. A log-ratio matrix is introduced to validate the D–V fractal model for density with the main rock type (PQD). Results illustrate that the density populations in rock types of the studied deposit observed a relationship between the fractal dimension in terms of density and the quality of the rocks based on RQD values, which can be used for better understanding of rock quality for evaluation of the final pit slope geometry.