Türkiye Jeoloji Bülteni

Utilization of Multivariate Statistical Techniques in Gold Exploration: A Case Study for the Evaluation of Geochemical Data from the Region of Ordu-Unye-Fatsa-Aybastı

Abstract: Analytical results of 165 rock chip samples collected from predetermined alteration areas in the regionbetween Ördu-Ünye-Fatsa-Aybastı were evaluated for any possible sort of mineralization, The region appears verypromising for epithermal gold deposits. 11 elements were analyzed. The main purpose of this study is to filter outinfluences related to extraneous factors other than mineralization such as lithology. Therefore, two multivariatetechniques, linear regression and principal component analysis were employed. Data before filtering revealed only asingle anomalous area around Fatsa-Tepeköy for gold with no association of other elements. However, filtering resultedin delineation of other anomalous areas. In addition, filtered data may imply three different episodes for gold deposition:1 - gold together with base metals at relatively high temperatures, 2 - gold with epithermal mineralization, 3 - gold onlywith silica as late stage quartz veins. Hence, multivariate techniques proved to be very successful in removing thebackground signal caused by different lithological units in the sampling area.