journal article·2025-06-09Open access

Application of Spread-Spectrum Induced Polarization (SSIP) Technology in W-Sn Mineral Exploration (Xitian Mining District, SE China)

Xiaoqiang Li, Haifei Liu, Yingjie Zhao, Yuhao Zhang, Daowei Zhu

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 12

Abstract

As strategic critical metals, tungsten (W) and tin (Sn) require efficient exploration methods for effective resource development. This study implemented an advanced spread-spectrum induced polarization (SSIP) method in the Xitian mining district of southern China. Through optimized survey system configuration (maximum current electrode spacing of 5200 m, 12-channel acquisition, and five discrete frequency points), we achieved significant advancements: (1) a penetration depth of 1200 m, and (2) three- to five-times higher data acquisition efficiency compared to conventional symmetrical quadrupole arrays. Inversion results of resistivity and chargeability profiles from two parallel survey lines (total length 2.4 km) demonstrated an 85% spatial correlation between resistivity and chargeability anomalies, successfully identifying three mineralized veins. Drill-hole verification confirmed the presence of greisen veins (characterized by low resistivity <100 Ω⋅m and high chargeability > 3%) and skarn veins (moderate resistivity 150–200 Ω⋅m and chargeability 1.5–2%). The method exhibits a detection sensitivity of 0.5% chargeability contrast for deep-seated W-Sn polymetallic deposits, providing quantitative technical references for similar deposit exploration.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Geophysical and Geoelectrical Methods · Geological and Geochemical Analysis

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

Hunan Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Resources and Geological Hazard Detection, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Project of Hunan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment · Hunan Provincial Science and Technology Program

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