article · Minerals
Aeromagnetic data from the Harrat ad Danun region in Saudi Arabia was analysed to evaluate subsurface geological structures and their relationship to gold and barite mineralisation. Reduction to the pole mapping revealed magnetic values ranging from minus 312.4 to 209.4 nanoteslas, dominated by north-northwest to south-southeast, northeast to southwest, and north-northeast to south-southwest structural trends. Spectral analysis identified shallow magnetic sources at approximately 80 metres depth and deeper sources at around 570 metres. Filtering and deconvolution techniques mapped faults, contacts, and dikes extending from near the surface to depths of 474 metres. The investigation determined that known gold and barite occurrences in the central area correlate directly with a negative magnetic anomaly at the intersection of structural lineaments. These findings confirm structural control over mineralisation and highlight an untested anomaly in the western zone.
Locating mineral deposits beneath the surface requires reliable geophysical techniques that map structural controls without immediate disruptive drilling. By demonstrating how aeromagnetic mapping detects buried faults, shear zones, and dikes associated with gold and barite, this research clarifies how regional tectonic lineaments govern ore formation. This approach aids geologists in refining regional exploration strategies in complex volcanic and crystalline terrains.
This research provides early-stage spatial intelligence for mineral exploration companies and public geological surveys targeting gold and barite resources. By tying specific magnetic anomaly patterns directly to known mineral occurrences, the findings help exploration teams prioritise subsurface drilling targets, notably an identified anomaly in the western zone. The study represents early-stage geophysical targeting that requires follow-up ground testing and exploratory drilling to establish any commercial reserve.
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Positive and negative magnetic anomalies occupied the total aeromagnetic (TM) map of the Harrat ad Danun area, Saudi Arabia. Reduction to the pole (RTP) maps display the range of magnetic values (−312.4 to 209.4 nT) that vary in shape, size, and magnitude. These anomalies generally follow the NNW–SSE (Red Sea axis trend), NE–SW, and NNE–SSW trends. The NNW-SSE linear negative and positive magnetic anomalies could be brought on by buried faults, shear zones, or subsurface dikes. In the central part, the position of Au and Ba mineralization was connected to this trend. It is concluded that the principal structures are represented by the NNW–SSE, NE–SW, and NNE–SSW tendencies. Based on gridded RTP magnetic data, the 2-D power spectrum was computed and revealed the frequency of the near-surface and deep magnetic components. It is believed that the depths of the shallow and deep magnetic sources are typically 80 m and 570 m, respectively. Additional negative and positive magnetic anomalies with varied amplitudes and frequencies, trending in the NNW–SSE, ENE–WSW, and NE–SW directions, are seen when the high-pass and low-pass maps are closely examined. Many faults in various directions cut into these anomalies. The occurrence of negative linear magnetic anomalies (−36.6 nT to −137.3 nT) at this depth (80 m) is also confirmed by this map. The TDR filter and the Euler deconvolution method were used to identify the horizontal variations in magnetic susceptibility as well as the source position and depth of magnetic sources. The linear clustering rings are thought to be caused by contacts or faults with depths between 1 m to 474 m that are oriented WNW–ESE, NNE–SSW, and NNW–SSE. These faults or contacts are thought to be particularly prominent in the western, eastern, southern, northern, and central zones. The majority of felsic and mafic dikes are found to be connected to subsurface structures, showing that three structural trends—WNW–ESE, NNE–SSW, and NNW–SSE—affect the studied area. This demonstrates that important features and shear zones control the majority of Saudi Arabia’s gold deposits. A negative magnetic anomaly that is centered in the area, trending NNW–SSE and crossing the NNE–SSW fault, is connected to the plotted gold and barite mineralization in the study area. This may imply that these two tendencies are responsible for mineralization. This result raises the possibility of mineralization in the NNW negative magnetic feature located in the western part of the area. The occurrence of gold and barite was significantly impacted by the NNW–SSE and NNE–SSW structural lineaments.
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DOI: 10.3390/min13070866
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