Evaluation of the modified AHP-VIKOR for mapping and ranking copper mineralized areas, a case study from the Kerman metallogenic belt, SE Iran

Abstract Exploration and prioritization of potentially mineralized areas by integrating different geoscientific datasets help to manage the time costs an exploration project. In this study, copper explored were done on Kerman belt, which was formed due subduction Arabian plate under Iranian plate. After processing layers (geology, hydrothermal alteration zones, stream sediment geochemistry, airborne geophysics), analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method used compute weights a decision-making group consisting ten local experts in exploration. The weight evidence (WofE) compare assess fairness AHP weights. for multi-criteria optimization compromise solution (VIKOR) integrate create AHP-VIKOR mineralization potential map. “ v ” parameter VIKOR modified replacing concept mathematical expectation value with manual assignment. real value-area (RV-A) fractal select optimum threshold values classes. accuracy classified map assessed creating confusion matrix using existing locations. average pixel class extracted sorted rank very high areas. ranking results compared recorded ore grade tonnage information each deposition. demonstrated that ranks are roughly similar WofE ranks, except lithology. An 84% RV-A obtained. showed group’s opinion more important than individual opinions ( = 0.6). identified areas, especially porphyry deposits. Also, outcome currently active mines, deposits, have highest priority mining. This study approach helps explore favorable characteristics.