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Non-linear Theory and Power-Law Models for Information Integration and Mineral Resources Quantitative Assessments

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Progress in Geomathematics

Abstract

Singular physical or chemical processes may result in anomalous amounts of energy release or mass accumulation that, generally, are confined to narrow intervals in space or time. Singularity is a property of different types of non-linear natural processes including cloud formation, rainfall, hurricanes, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, wildfires and mineralization. The end products of these non-linear processes can be modeled as fractals or multifractals. Hydrothermal processes in the Earth’s crust can result in ore deposits characterized by high concentrations of metals with fractal or multifractal properties. Here we show that the non-linear properties of the end products of singular mineralization processes can be applied for prediction of undiscovered mineral deposits and for quantitative mineral resource assessment, whether for mineral exploration or for regional, national and global planning for mineral resource utilization. In addition to the general theory and framework for the non-linear mineral resources assessment, this paper focuses on several power-law models proposed for characterizing non-linear properties of mineralization and for geoinformation extraction and integration. The theories, methods and computer system discussed in this paper were validated using a case study dealing with hydrothermal Au mineral potential in southern Nova Scotia, Canada.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University, Toronto M3J 1P3, Canada

    Qiuming Cheng & Qiuming Cheng

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  1. Qiuming Cheng
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Survey of Canada, 601 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1A 0E8

    Graeme Bonham-Carter

  2. State Key Lab of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Beijing 100083, China

    Qiuming Cheng

  3. Department of Earth and Space Science and Engineering, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J1P3

    Qiuming Cheng

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Cheng, Q. (2008). Non-linear Theory and Power-Law Models for Information Integration and Mineral Resources Quantitative Assessments. In: Bonham-Carter, G., Cheng, Q. (eds) Progress in Geomathematics. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-69496-0_10

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