Three-dimensional (3D) geological prospectivity modeling of the 815 highland porphyry Cu–polymetallic deposit, NE China

As shallow mineral resources are depleted, mineral exploration has increasingly shifted toward deep and concealed targets. Deep exploration is hampered by sparse subsurface constraints and escalating costs, and conventional 2D approaches offer limited guidance in three dimensions. Integrating 3D geological modeling with mineral prospectivity mapping provides a framework for identifying and prioritizing deep and concealed exploration targets. Three-dimensional (3D) geological modeling provides an effective framework for predicting concealed orebodies in porphyry Cu–polymetallic deposits. In this study, multi-source datasets from the 815 Highland porphyry Cu–polymetallic deposit in the Chaoman Forest Farm area (Mohe region, northern Great Xing’an Range, northeastern China), including drillhole and geological survey data, were compiled to build a geological database. Based on this database, an explicit 3D geological model of the mining area was constructed to constrain key lithologic units, structural features, and ore body geometries. Guided by the “trinity” exploration prediction theory, deep metallogenic prediction was carried out by integrating a cube-based prediction approach with the information value method. Three priority exploration targets were outlined: Target Areas I and II are located on both sides of the ore body and are not constrained by drilling, whereas Target Area III lies at depth and is partly constrained by existing drillholes. The delineated targets provide a three-dimensional evaluation of metallogenic potential in the deep and peripheral parts of the study area and offer important guidance for mineral exploration in the 815 Highland mining area.