Fractal analysis and structural mapping for copper exploration in Veshnavah area, central part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran

Geological structures play an important role in deposition of ore mineralization during hydrothermal activities. In this study, the relationship between fault systems and location of copper mineralization was investigated using fractal analysis in the Veshnavah area, Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA), Iran. A copper anomaly map was generated by implementing fractal analysis of concentration-area (C-A) and concentration-number (C-N). Geochemical anomalies were mostly found in the northern, central, and southern parts of the study region that categorized to high and very high anomaly zones for copper mineralization. Well correlation of high- and medium-grade Cu anomalies with fracture density indicates a genetic relationship between Cu mineralization and fault and fracture systems particularly for NW-SE orientation. Besides, the andesitic-basalt lava lithologies, volcanic breccia, mega porphyritic andesite-basalt lava, micro-quartz diorite, and micro-quartz monzonite show a relevant correlation with the identified copper anomalies in the study area. This study recommended that the application of fractal analysis for identifying the relationship between fault systems and location of copper mineralization is a significant phase for copper exploration in metallogenic provinces.