4.2.3. Predicted Results

The proportion of metallogenic information amount intervals of cell blocks (Table 5) in the 3D predictive model showed that the information amounts tended to stabilize and converge when they were ≥9.597 (Figure 8). Therefore, the information amount interval of ≥9.597 was favorable for mineralization (Figure 9a). This interval was divided into three grades: 9.597–12.303, 12.303–13.080, and ≥13.080. The information amount range of ≥13.080 was considered the range of predicted target areas based on the comparison with known mineralized zones which are generally greater than 12 (Figure 10). As a result, three predicted target areas were delineated (Figure 9b).


**Table 3.** Deep predictive model of the Sanshandao fault.


#### **Table 3.** *Cont*.

**Table 4.** Calculated results of prospecting information amounts of the Sanshandao fault.


**Table 5.** Proportion of metallogenic information amount intervals of cell blocks of the Sanshandao fault.


Target area I is located 3.8 km northeast (in the direction of 85◦ ) of Sanshandao Town, Laizhou City (Figure 9b). It has an elevation of −3122–−2349 m and included 440 predicted

ore-hosting cell blocks. Target area II is located 3.5 km southeast (in the direction of 100◦ ) of Sanshandao Town, Laizhou City. It has an elevation range of −3121 to −2306 m and included 368 predicted ore-hosting cell blocks. Target area III is located 3.0 km southeast (in the direction of 120◦ ) of Sanshandao Town, Laizhou City. It has an elevation range of −2701 to −2291 m and includes 181 predicted ore-hosting cell blocks. of Sanshandao Town, Laizhou City. It has an elevation range of −3121 to −2306 m and included 368 predicted ore-hosting cell blocks. Target area Ⅲ is located 3.0 km southeast (in the direction of 120°) of Sanshandao Town, Laizhou City. It has an elevation range of −2701 to −2291 m and includes 181 predicted ore-hosting cell blocks. *Minerals* **2022**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 22

*Minerals* **2022**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 14 of 22

**Figure 8.** Histogram showing the proportion of metallogenic information amount intervals of cell blocks of the Sanshandao fault. **Figure 8.** Histogram showing the proportion of metallogenic information amount intervals of cell blocks of the Sanshandao fault. **Figure 8.** Histogram showing the proportion of metallogenic information amount intervals of cell blocks of the Sanshandao fault.

**Figure 9.** Deep metallogenic favorable zone (**a**) and the predicted deep target areas (**b**) in the Sanshandao fault. **Figure 9.** Deep metallogenic favorable zone (**a**) and the predicted deep target areas (**b**) in the Sanshandao fault.

**Figure 9.** Deep metallogenic favorable zone (**a**) and the predicted deep target areas (**b**) in the

Sanshandao fault.

**Figure 10.** Histogram of metallogenic information amount showing the mineralized zones and the barren zone in the Sanshandao fault. **Figure 10.** Histogram of metallogenic information amount showing the mineralized zones and the barren zone in the Sanshandao fault.

#### **5. Prediction of Deep Resource Potential 5. Prediction of Deep Resource Potential**

#### *5.1. Resource Potential of the Sanshandao Fault 5.1. Resource Potential of the Sanshandao Fault*

#### 5.1.1. Proved Resources 5.1.1. Proved Resources

Based on the previous exploration results [6], the proved gold resources in the Sanshandao fault are analyzed in this paper. The Sanshandao fault has cumulative proved gold ore reserves of 333.65 Mt, gold metal reserves of 1,240,679 kg, an average orebody thickness of 7.93 m, and an average grade of 3.72 g/t. The first mineralization enrichment zone (elevation: −500–0m) has gold ore reserves of 81.50 M t, gold resources of 238,503 kg, an average orebody thickness of 8.10 m, and an average grade of 2.93 g/t. The second enrichment zone (elevation: −2000–−500m) has gold ore reserves of 252.14 Mt, gold metal reserves of 1002176 kg, an average orebody thickness of 7.90 m, and an average grade of 3.98 g/t. The ratio of the resources of the second enrichment zone to those of the first enrichment zone is 4.20. Based on the previous exploration results [6], the proved gold resources in the Sanshandao fault are analyzed in this paper. The Sanshandao fault has cumulative proved gold ore reserves of 333.65 Mt, gold metal reserves of 1,240,679 kg, an average orebody thickness of 7.93 m, and an average grade of 3.72 g/t. The first mineralization enrichment zone (elevation: −500–0 m) has gold ore reserves of 81.50 Mt, gold resources of 238,503 kg, an average orebody thickness of 8.10 m, and an average grade of 2.93 g/t. The second enrichment zone (elevation: −2000–−500 m) has gold ore reserves of 252.14 Mt, gold metal reserves of 1,002,176 kg, an average orebody thickness of 7.90 m, and an average grade of 3.98 g/t. The ratio of the resources of the second enrichment zone to those of the first enrichment zone is 4.20.

#### 5.1.2. Predictive Parameters of Resources

projection map (Figure 12, Table 6).

5.1.2. Predictive Parameters of Resources Prediction range: The prediction range was determined by extrapolating the distribution range of identified deposits to deep parts. The distribution range of identified deposits in the Sanshandao fault was determined as follows. Its southern boundary was exploration line No. 171 on the southernmost side of the Xinli ore block and its northern boundary was exploration line No. 70 on the northernmost side of the sea-area ore block in the northern Sanshandao fault. Moreover, its western part was the outcrops of the Sanshandao fault, and its eastern part was the projection on the ground surface of the junction of the −2000 m elevation line and the deep part of the Sanshandao fault (Figure 11). The prediction range had the same southern, northern, and western boundaries as the Prediction range: The prediction range was determined by extrapolating the distribution range of identified deposits to deep parts. The distribution range of identified deposits in the Sanshandao fault was determined as follows. Its southern boundary was exploration line No. 171 on the southernmost side of the Xinli ore block and its northern boundary was exploration line No. 70 on the northernmost side of the sea-area ore block in the northern Sanshandao fault. Moreover, its western part was the outcrops of the Sanshandao fault, and its eastern part was the projection on the ground surface of the junction of the −2000 m elevation line and the deep part of the Sanshandao fault (Figure 11). The prediction range had the same southern, northern, and western boundaries as the distribution range of identified deposits, and its elevation was −5000–−2000 m.

distribution range of identified deposits, and its elevation was −5000–−2000m. Ore-bearing rates: the ore-bearing rates corresponding to the elevations of −500 to 0 m and −2000 to −500 m were calculated using the ratio of the proven resources to the projection area of the distribution range of identified deposits on the vertical longitudinal Ore-bearing rates: the ore-bearing rates corresponding to the elevations of −500 to 0 m and −2000 to −500 m were calculated using the ratio of the proven resources to the projection area of the distribution range of identified deposits on the vertical longitudinal projection map (Figure 12, Table 6).

*Minerals* **2022**, *12*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 22

**Figure 11.** Planar range of the prediction areas of deep resource potential. 1—Quaternary; 2—Early Precambrian metamorphic rock; 3—Cretaceous Weideshan granite; 4—Cretaceous Guojialing granite; 5—Jurassic Linglong granite; 6—Fault; 7—Range of ore-forming prediction areas. **Figure 11.** Planar range of the prediction areas of deep resource potential. 1—Quaternary; 2—Early Precambrian metamorphic rock; 3—Cretaceous Weideshan granite; 4—Cretaceous Guojialing granite; 5—Jurassic Linglong granite; 6—Fault; 7—Range of ore-forming prediction areas. Precambrian metamorphic rock; 3—Cretaceous Weideshan granite; 4—Cretaceous Guojialing granite; 5—Jurassic Linglong granite; 6—Fault; 7—Range of ore-forming prediction areas.

**Figure 12.** Vertical longitudinal projection map for the deep resource prediction of the Sanshandao fault. 1—Range of controlled gold orebodies; 2—Scope for the calculation of the shallow ore-bearing rate; 3—Scope for the calculation of the deep ore-bearing rate; 4—Prediction range at an elevation **Figure 12.** Vertical longitudinal projection map for the deep resource prediction of the Sanshandao fault. 1—Range of controlled gold orebodies; 2—Scope for the calculation of the shallow ore-bearing rate; 3—Scope for the calculation of the deep ore-bearing rate; 4—Prediction range at an elevation of −3000–−2000 m; 5—Prediction range at an elevation range of −5000–−3000 m; 6—Exploration lines and their numbers. **Figure 12.** Vertical longitudinal projection map for the deep resource prediction of the Sanshandao fault. 1—Range of controlled gold orebodies; 2—Scope for the calculation of the shallow ore-bearing rate; 3—Scope for the calculation of the deep ore-bearing rate; 4—Prediction range at an elevation of −3000–−2000 m; 5—Prediction range at an elevation range of −5000–−3000 m; 6—Exploration lines and their numbers.

**(m<sup>2</sup> )**

**(m<sup>2</sup> )**

of −3000–−2000 m; 5—Prediction range at an elevation range of −5000–−3000 m; 6—Exploration lines

**(m) Ore Reserves Ore-Bearing Rate**

**Grade (g/t)**

**Grade (g/t)**

**Thickness**

**Thickness**

**Metal Reserves**

**Reserves**

**Table 6.** Ore-hosting rates of the Sanshandao fault.

**Table 6.** Ore-hosting rates of the Sanshandao fault.

and their numbers.

**(Mt)**

**(Mt)**

**Elevation (m)**

**Elevation (m)**


**Table 6.** Ore-hosting rates of the Sanshandao fault.

## 5.1.3. Resources Prediction

The area of the deep prediction areas at an elevation of −5000 to −2000 m was calculated based on the vertical longitudinal projection map. Subsequently, the gold resources in the deep prediction areas were estimated according to the ore-bearing rates at elevations of −500 to 0 m and −2000 to −500 m. The predicted gold resources of the deep prediction areas at an elevation of −5000 to −2000 m in the Sanshandao fault included approximately (375–560) Mt of ore reserves and 1100–2228 t of gold metal reserves (Figure 12, Table 7).

**Table 7.** Statistics of predicted resources in the Sanshandao fault.

