Copper prospectivity in Tibet, China: Based on the identification of geochemical anomalies

Abstract The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is an important mineral-rich region and is well known for its copper resources. This study investigates stream-sediment geochemistry in assessing the potential for Cu resources in the region. A spectrum–area model is used to process large volumes of data with multifractal and power-spectrum analysis. The model can be used to separate geochemical anomalies from geochemical background levels thus eliminating the influence of different geomorphological landscapes. It is recognised from this study that geochemical anomalies are closely related to deep-seated faults forming terrane boundaries that are multiply deformed and intruded by granites. Second order structures related to these tectonic zones are commonly mineralised and are considered highly prospective for mineral resources. The results of this study indicate that geochemical anomalies are useful for identifying potential Cu mineral resources.