Application of integrated geophysical methods in deep ore prospecting of Laochang polymetallic mining area in Lancang, Yunnan

Laochang, Lancang, Yunnan is one of the most important polymetallic mining areas in the southern part of Sanjiang Tethys metallogenic belt. After years of mining, the shallow resources are nearly exhausted. In recent years, granite porphyry and porphyry polymetallic mineralization have been newly discovered in the deep part of the mining area, highlighting the prospecting potential of deep polymetallic deposits. In order to trace the occurrence of deep ore-controlling strata and structures in the study area and help to make a breakthrough in deep ore prospecting, high-power induced polarization method and audio magnetotelluric method were implemented to image the deep structure situated. Results obtained from the inversion of the measured induced polarization and electromagnetic data recuperated the distribution of induced polarization anomalies and the characteristics of deep electrical structure within the study area. Combined with the available regional geological settings, the main conclusions are as follows: The low resistance and high polarization anomalies in the northwest of the survey area are deeply related to the surface ferromanganese, silver manganese, and deep polymetallic mineralization, and the high resistance and high polarization anomalies in the middle and east of the survey area are in good agreement with the deep polymetallic mineralization. The upper Carboniferous limestone and dolomite strata are thick in the west and thin in the east, with the west strata dipping to SW and the east strata overlying the Yiliu Formation of the lower Carboniferous. The concealed granite porphyry dips in NE direction, and the coupling part between its deep 2 300~2 800 m horizontal section and deep fault is a favorable area for deep polymetallic mineralization. Notably, joint interpretation yielded from the high-power induced polarization method and the audio magnetotelluric method applied improved the reliability of deep polymetallic ore detection and provided more information of positioning the subsequent drilling layout.