Prospecting for polymetallic mineralization in Middle Morocco using fractal mapping

Lineaments are the main conduits for hydrothermal fluid flow in rock basement and represent an important factor in the genesis of hydrothermal ore deposits. In this study, we propose fractal mapping as an efficient tool to analyze the spatial distribution and the density of lineaments in an area covering Middle Morocco using the box-counting method. The correlations reflect that areas of high density of lineaments are represented by higher fractal dimensions. In contrast, lower fractal dimensions are typically associated with the areas of low density of lineaments. The collected fractal data were then interpolated, and a fractal contour map covering the study area was created and superimposed on a map of active and historic mines. This process highlights that several major polymetallic mines were found in or near areas of high fractal dimensions, essentially in the Central Morocco, Saghro, and Bou Azzer districts. These districts are thus assessed as the most favorable targets for probable polymetallic ore deposits.