Correlation between Mo mineralization and faults using geostatistical and fractal modeling in porphyry deposits of Kerman Magmatic Belt, SE Iran

•Fractal modeling for Mo values of porphyry deposits in KMB•Fractal modeling for classification of faults' density (FD)•Correlation between FD and Mo mineralization in the porphyry deposits

Kerman Magmatic Belt (KMB) is located in the southern part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB), SE Iran. There are many Cu-Mo porphyry deposits which may have correlation with existing faults. The aim of this study is determination of correlation between Mo mineralization in the porphyry deposits of the KMB and faults based on fractal and geostatistical modeling. Fault density (FD) was calculated and classified by Concentration-Area (C-A) fractal model. Moreover, the Mo values in the porphyry deposits were classified by Concentration-Number (C-N) fractal model. However, the variograms and anisotropic ellipsoids for Mo, Cu and FD show that there is a proper relationship between Mo mineralization and FD trends. Consequently, the correlation between Mo mineralization and faults was calculated by logratio matrix. Based on the results derived via the fractal and geostatistical modeling, the Mo mineralization in Cu-Mo porphyry deposit have good correlation with faults in the KMB especially in the central part of the region including Sarcheshmeh mine and Nowchun deposit. Areas with extremely FD may be prospects for exploration of new porphyry deposits.