A method for prospecting a co-associated iron-copper deposit

Abstract

This invention provides a method for the exploration layout of associated iron-copper deposits, belonging to the field of geological exploration technology. Addressing the problems of insufficient exploration depth and high investment costs associated with individual exploration of associated minerals, this invention first establishes a metallogenic zoning model of the mining area. This model characterizes the vertical zonation of iron and copper ore bodies, with the iron ore body located above the copper ore body. Then, based on this model, a first exploration grid density is applied to the upper iron ore, and a second, denser exploration grid density is applied to the lower copper ore. Next, the model is verified and corrected using iron ore production engineering data, forming a closed-loop process of prediction, verification, correction, and redeployment. Finally, by arranging multi-level veins and exploration roadways, ultra-dense grid density control of the copper ore body is achieved. This invention enables a shift from experience-driven to model-driven approaches, economically and efficiently improving the control over associated copper deposits and reducing exploration costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of geological exploration and mineral resource exploration technology, specifically, it relates to a method for the exploration layout of associated iron and copper deposits. Background Technology

[0002] Mineral resources are an important material foundation for national economic and social development. Among them, iron and copper are key strategic metals, and their supply and demand situation is directly related to national industrial security. In nature, iron and copper often coexist and are enriched into mineral deposits, forming coexisting iron and copper deposits with important economic value.

[0003] Currently, exploration work for such associated and co-existing mineral deposits is often designed for a single mineral type. The exploration work mainly revolves around the metallogenic regularity and spatial distribution characteristics of the main mineral, iron ore, and adopts a relatively uniform exploration grid. The above approach ignores the metallogenic regularity of the associated and co-existing copper ore itself, resulting in insufficient control over the associated and co-existing copper ore. Furthermore, if the project layout is unreasonable, it may also cause ore leakage.

[0004] Taking a certain iron mountain copper mine as an example, the mine was formed by multiple phases of hydrothermal activity, resulting in irregular mineral enrichment. The grade varies greatly between adjacent sections. If traditional exploration methods are used, it is difficult to effectively control the changes in the ore body based on the zoning pattern, which leads to technical defects such as unreasonable mining engineering layout and increased ore dilution.

[0005] While deploying a separate high-density exploration project for associated copper deposits can improve the level of control, it will significantly increase exploration costs and time. Therefore, how to economically and efficiently improve the level of exploration control over associated copper deposits is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention addresses the problems in existing technologies, such as insufficient exploration of associated mineral deposits and excessively high costs of establishing separate exploration models, by providing an economical and efficient method for the exploration layout of associated iron and copper deposits.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A method for the exploration layout of associated iron and copper deposits includes the following steps: Step a: Establish a metallogenic zoning model of the mining area. The metallogenic zoning model represents the vertical zoning relationship between iron ore bodies and copper ore bodies.

[0008] In step a, the metallogenic zoning model is established based on a comprehensive study of regional geology, ore deposit geology, geophysical and geochemical characteristics.

[0009] Step b: Based on the metallogenic zoning model, the upper iron ore body is controlled using a first exploration grid density, and the lower copper ore body is controlled using a second exploration grid density that is denser than the first exploration grid density.

[0010] In step b, the first exploration grid density is 100m×100m; the second exploration grid density is achieved by densifying the exploration lines in the middle of the 100m×100m exploration lines, and the spacing between the densified exploration lines is 50m, thus forming a 50m×50m exploration grid density.

[0011] In step b, the intensified exploration project for the lower copper ore body is carried out with a drilling depth that penetrates the bottom boundary of the iron ore body and enters the expected copper mineralization zone.

[0012] Step c: Using the geological data revealed by the iron ore mining project, verify and revise the metallogenic zoning model, and then apply the revised model.

[0013] Step c specifically includes: geological logging and sampling of the iron ore development and preparation project, comparing the acquired data with the preliminary metallogenic zoning model to verify and correct the model, and optimizing the borehole design of the subsequent copper ore exploration target area accordingly, forming a closed-loop workflow of prediction-verification-correction-redeployment.

[0014] Step d: Based on the optimized copper ore exploration project, vein-side tunnels are arranged outside the copper ore body, and multi-level exploration tunnels are arranged perpendicular to the vein-side tunnels to form an ultra-dense network control for the copper ore body.

[0015] Step d specifically includes: Step d1: Arrange the first vein roadway outside the copper vein.

[0016] Step d2: Deploy primary exploration tunnels perpendicular to the first vein tunnel. The spacing of the primary exploration tunnels is 30-40m, and they are deployed on or near the exploration line.

[0017] Step d3: When the horizontal thickness of the ore body controlled by the first-level exploration roadway is greater than 5m, a second vein roadway parallel to the first vein roadway is arranged between the two first-level exploration roadways.

[0018] Step d4: Arrange a secondary exploration tunnel perpendicular to the copper ore body on the side of the second vein tunnel. The spacing between the secondary exploration tunnels is 10m, and the bottom of the primary exploration tunnel is connected to the secondary exploration tunnel.

[0019] Step d5: Conduct geological logging and sampling of all exploration tunnels and connecting tunnels, and delineate the horizontal geological boundaries of the ore body based on the data.

[0020] The associated iron-copper deposit is an associated iron-copper deposit with zonal stratabound characteristics in a certain Tieshan mining area.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. This invention makes full use of the exploration and production engineering of the main mineral type, and conducts intensified exploration only in the favorable parts of the lower copper ore formation, avoiding ineffective investment in areas without minerals or with poor minerals, and significantly saving exploration time and capital costs. 2. This invention is based on the vertical zoning model of the iron ore body located above the copper ore body for exploration layout, which makes the exploration work shift from experience-driven to model-driven, and the selection of exploration target areas is more scientific and clear. 3. This invention achieves effective exposure and refined control of deep associated copper ore bodies through a differentiated combination of the first and second exploration grids, solving the problem of insufficient exploration of associated copper ore bodies in the past; 4. This invention utilizes updated data to verify and revise the model, and optimizes subsequent exploration designs in a timely manner, making exploration deployment more reasonable and enabling more accurate delineation of associated ore bodies; 5. This invention utilizes the uneven enrichment pattern of hydrothermal associated copper deposits and employs mining engineering to further densify and control the ore body boundary, thereby improving the degree of ore body control, providing a more accurate basis for optimizing the mining engineering layout, and reducing the dilution rate during mining. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a plan layout diagram of the exploration project for associated copper deposits in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] This embodiment uses a co-existing iron-copper deposit with zonal stratabound characteristics in a certain Tieshan mining area as an example for illustration, but the application scope of the present invention is not limited to this.

[0025] First, perform step a: establish a metallogenic zoning model of the mining area. The metallogenic zoning model represents the vertical zoning relationship between iron ore bodies and copper ore bodies.

[0026] Specifically, a comprehensive collection of various geological data for a certain Tieshan mining area was conducted. This data included at least regional geological maps, structural outline maps, regional geological research results, and ore deposit geological data. At the same time, geophysical data, such as high-precision magnetic data, induced polarization gradient data, and controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric sounding data, were also collected. In addition, geochemical data, such as rock geochemical measurement data and primary halo data, were also collected to identify anomalous zoning of elements such as copper and molybdenum.

[0027] Based on the comprehensive interpretation and analysis of the above data, the Tieshan iron-copper mine was identified as a typical spatially zoned associated iron-copper deposit. A preliminary metallogenic zoning model was established, clearly characterizing the spatial vertical zoning relationship between the iron ore body and the underlying expected copper ore body. Based on this model, favorable target areas for copper mineralization were preliminarily delineated.

[0028] Next, step b is executed: based on the metallogenic zoning model, the upper iron ore body is controlled using a first exploration grid density, and the lower copper ore body is controlled using a second exploration grid density that is denser than the first exploration grid density.

[0029] In this embodiment, based on existing specifications and the aforementioned preliminary model, the upper iron ore body is controlled using a first exploration grid of 100m×100m within the mining area. Specifically, control refers to the systematic arrangement of exploration lines and boreholes to basically ascertain the geological characteristics of the iron ore body. The depth design of each borehole must ensure that it can penetrate the bottom boundary of the known iron ore body in order to provide preliminary information for copper exploration in the lower part.

[0030] For the lower copper ore body, a second exploration grid of 50m × 50m is used for intensified control. Specifically, new exploration lines are densely laid out in the middle of the already completed 100m × 100m grid control lines, shortening the spacing between exploration lines to 50 meters. Along these intensified exploration lines, intensified boreholes are drilled targeting the copper-rich areas predicted by the model, such as the lower part of the iron ore body or the contact zone. The depth of these intensified boreholes must ensure penetration of the bottom boundary of the iron ore body and into the expected copper mineralization zone to a certain depth.

[0031] Then, step c is performed: using the geological data revealed by the iron ore mining project, the metallogenic zoning model is verified and corrected, and the corrected model is used as the basis for the verification.

[0032] Specifically, as the iron ore mine enters the development and preparation stage, geological technicians follow up with their work, conducting detailed geological logging of the rock walls exposed by the development and preparation projects, such as transport tunnels, cross veins, and ventilation shafts; at the same time, they systematically collect rock samples for testing and analysis.

[0033] The actual recorded data and test data from the above-mentioned production projects, especially the newly revealed copper mineralization information, are compared with the metallogenic zoning model initially established in step a. Based on the comparison results, the metallogenic zoning model is verified and revised to make it more consistent with the actual situation.

[0034] Then, using the corrected high-precision model, the location, orientation, dip angle and depth of the copper exploration boreholes to be constructed in the subsequent plan are optimized. Through the above closed-loop workflow of prediction-verification-correction-redeployment, the exploration deployment becomes more and more accurate, thereby basically revealing the morphology of associated copper deposits.

[0035] Finally, step d is executed: based on the optimized copper ore exploration project, vein-side tunnels are arranged outside the copper ore body, and multi-level exploration tunnels are arranged perpendicular to the vein-side tunnels to form an ultra-dense network control for the copper ore body.

[0036] During construction, it was discovered that the associated copper ore deposits were irregularly enriched and exhibited significant grade variations. Therefore, this phase employed a combined exploration and mining approach for control, specifically including the following steps: Step d1: Arrange the first vein roadway outside the copper vein, which is basically parallel to the strike of the copper ore.

[0037] Step d2: Deploy primary exploration tunnels perpendicular to the first vein tunnel. The primary exploration tunnels are parallel to each other and spaced 30-40m apart.

[0038] This step follows the principle of combining exploration and mining, placing primary exploration roadways for mining production as close as possible to or near the infiltrated exploration lines; such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The plan layout of the associated copper deposit exploration project is shown, in which the first vein roadway and the first-level exploration roadway intersect perpendicularly; in the figure, 7, 7a, 8, 8a, and 9 all refer to exploration lines.

[0039] Step d3: When the horizontal thickness of the copper ore body controlled by the primary exploration tunnel is greater than 5m, a second vein tunnel parallel to the first vein tunnel is arranged between the two primary exploration tunnels. Geological logging is then performed on the second vein tunnel.

[0040] Step d4: On the side of the second vein roadway near the copper ore body, arrange a secondary exploration roadway perpendicular to it, with a spacing of 10 meters between the secondary exploration roadways; during excavation, continue geological observation until it is believed that there is no copper ore potential, and at the same time, connect the bottom of the primary exploration roadway with the bottom of the secondary exploration roadway to form a planar layout profile structure for the exploration project.

[0041] Step d5 involves systematically logging and sampling all exploration roadways and connecting roadways, namely the first vein roadway, the first-level exploration roadway, the second vein roadway, the second-level exploration roadway, and their connecting roadways. Based on the obtained grade data, the horizontal geological boundary of the copper ore body is delineated. Through the second-level exploration roadway, the copper ore body is revealed and controlled in a refined manner in the horizontal direction, i.e., the ultra-dense grid control.

[0042] Through the above steps, using a combination of exploration and mining tunnels, ultra-dense exposure, sampling, and control of associated copper deposits were achieved in the horizontal direction. This ultimately achieved the goal of precise control over the morphology, grade, and reserves of the copper ore body.

[0043] Those skilled in the art will understand that the specific exploration grid density, tunnel spacing, and depth parameters in the above embodiments are examples given based on the specific geological conditions of a certain Tieshan Mine. In practical applications, the parameters such as the first exploration grid density, the second exploration grid density, the spacing of the first-level exploration tunnels, and the spacing of the second-level exploration tunnels can be adaptively adjusted according to factors such as the metallogenic zoning characteristics, ore body thickness variations, and mining technology conditions of different deposits. For example, the closed-loop process for verifying and correcting the model is not limited to the single data source described in this embodiment, but can also be combined with the drilling data from subsequent construction. Similarly, the spacing of the second-level exploration tunnels can also be reasonably adjusted based on the actual stability of the ore body, starting from 10m. All of the above adjustments do not depart from the technical concept of this invention and still fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A method of co-located chalcocite exploration deployment, characterized by, Includes the following steps: Step a: Use three-dimensional geological modeling software to establish a metallogenic zoning model of the mining area. The metallogenic zoning model represents the vertical zoning relationship between iron ore bodies and copper ore bodies. Step b: Based on the metallogenic zoning model, the upper iron ore body is explored using the first exploration grid density to control the spatial morphology, distribution, scale and extension trend of the ore body. The lower copper ore body is explored using the second exploration grid density, which is denser than the first exploration grid density, with a small number of exploration projects to preliminarily examine, verify and trace associated copper ore bodies and mineralization zones. Step c: Using the geological logging data and sample testing data of the tunnels revealed by the iron ore mining project, the ore body boundary line is redefined, and the metallogenic zoning model is verified and corrected. Based on the corrected model, the associated copper deposits initially delineated by the previous exploration project are used as the target. In accordance with the copper ore exploration specifications, exploration tunnels and drilling projects are added, and the length, orientation, and dip angle of the projects are clarified to further investigate the morphology, distribution, thickness variation law and end extension of the copper ore body. Step d: Based on the ore body morphology identified in the copper ore exploration project, vein-side tunnels are arranged outside the copper ore body, and multi-level exploration tunnels are arranged perpendicular to the vein-side tunnels to form an ultra-dense network control for the copper ore body.

2. The exploration layout method for associated iron and copper deposits according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step b, the first exploration grid and the second exploration grid are adjusted according to the size of the ore body, the morphology and internal structure complexity of the ore body, the degree of tectonic damage, the uniformity of the distribution of useful components, and the stability of the thickness, so as to achieve the goal of proving the morphological distribution of the ore body.

3. The method of prospecting for co-product ite according to claim 1, wherein, In step b, the intensified exploration project for the lower copper ore body is carried out with a drilling depth that penetrates the bottom boundary of the iron ore body and enters the expected copper mineralization zone.

4. The method of prospecting for co-product ite according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step c specifically includes: geological logging and sampling tests for the iron ore development and preparation project, comparing the obtained data with the preliminary metallogenic zoning model to verify and correct the model, and adjusting the design depth, azimuth, and dip angle of subsequent drilling projects in the copper ore exploration area accordingly.

5. The method of prospecting for co-product ite according to claim 1, wherein, Step d specifically includes: Step d1: Arrange the first vein-side roadway outside the copper vein; Step d2: A primary exploration tunnel is laid out perpendicular to the first vein tunnel. The distance between two adjacent primary exploration tunnels is 30-40m, and the tunnel is laid out on or near the exploration line. Step d3: When the horizontal thickness of the ore body controlled by the first-level exploration roadway is greater than 5m, a second vein roadway is arranged between the two adjacent first-level exploration roadways. The second vein roadway is parallel to the first vein roadway. Step d4: Arrange a secondary exploration tunnel perpendicular to the copper ore body on the side of the second vein tunnel. The secondary exploration tunnels are arranged at equal intervals and the bottom of the primary exploration tunnel is connected to the secondary exploration tunnel. Step d5: Conduct geological logging and sampling of all exploration tunnels and connecting tunnels, and delineate the horizontal geological boundaries of the ore body based on the data.

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