Geoelectric modeling of gold mineralization in a coarse topographic relief using structured and unstructured meshing

Abstract

Geo-electrical methods, including electrical resistivity and induced polarization, are key tools for the identification and assessment of mineral deposits, particularly gold. In this study, nine electrical profiles were surveyed in a region characterized by volcano-sedimentary outcrops and silicic dikes in northeastern Azerbaijan. The data underwent inversion modeling using two meshing approaches: structured (quadrilateral) and unstructured (triangular), allowing for an evaluation of their effects on the interpretation of subsurface electrical characteristics. The results indicated that unstructured modeling provided superior resolution and lower error compared to structured modeling in areas of rugged topography, yielding a more accurate depiction of gold-related sources. The analysis revealed a strong correlation between resistivity and induced polarization data with the presence of gold in vein-hosted mineralization and hornfels units. Furthermore, two distinct mineralization trends were identified: a shallow trend associated with sulfides in hornfels and a deeper trend linked to silicic veins, both closely aligned with gold grades and modeling patterns. In addition, the alignment of anomalies with regional fault structures and mineralizing fluid pathways confirms the area’s substantial potential for gold mineralization within low-sulfidation epithermal systems. Ultimately, the findings suggest that the combination of unstructured meshing and inversion modeling can serve as an effective tool for high-precision mineral exploration in geologically complex regions.