Geochemical characteristics and anomaly assessments of stream sediments in the Xiongcun ore concentration area and its periphery, Xietongmen County, Tibet

The Xiongcun ore concentration area in Xietongmen County, Tibet, is situated in the central segment of the Gangdise metallogenic belt. This study aims to investigate the distribution characteristics and geochemical anomalies of ore-forming elements in the study area and its periphery. This will guide the deployment of mineral exploration work in the study area and its periphery and promote the construction of the Xiongcun large-scale copper-gold resource base. Through the assessment of 1∶50000 stream-sediment geochemical anomalies in the study area and its periphery, this study determined the geochemical anomaly distributions and enrichment patterns of five elements (i.e., Cu, Au, Pb, Zn, and Ag) in the study area. Based on the analytical results of element anomalies and the geological characteristics of the study area, this study delineated the composite anomaly zones in the study area. Furthermore, this study assessed the prospecting potential of the study area through follow-up geochemical surveys. The results indicate that Cu and Au serve as the principal ore-forming elements in the study area. Both elements are characterized by strong enrichment and strong variability, showing high mineralization and prospecting potential. Four composite geochemical anomaly zones of stream sediments were identified. Among them, zones HS-1 and HS-2 exhibit highly consistent composite anomalies. Both zones show the distribution of known ore deposits (occurrences) or significant mineralization shows, suggesting considerable potential for ore prospecting. Overall, this study provides geochemical evidence for geological prospecting in the Xiongcun ore concentration area and its periphery while also offering ideas and a reference for subsequent mineral exploration targets in the study area.